Thousands of goods vehicle operators entitled to compensation

Ashtons Legal are urging people who bought, leased or purchased new or used goods vehicles or small trucks weighing six tonne upwards to get in touchas they may be entitled to compensation.

In July 2016 the European Commission found that MAN, Volvo/Renault, Daimler, Iveco and DAF had broken EU Anti-Trust Rules through colluding for a period of 14 years on truck pricing as well as passing on of costs of stricter emission rules. The Commission imposed a fine of nearly three billion Euros and paved the way for those affected by the price-fixing cartel to claim compensation for any over payments made.

Specialist Road Transport and Regulatory Partner at Ashtons, Tim Ridyard, said: “The Truck Cartel case, as it has been nicknamed, is currently a very big issue in the transport sector. For those businesses and individuals who bought, leased or purchased new or used goods vehicles or trucks between 1997 and 2011 it means they can bring a claim for compensation of at least 10% of the purchase price, perhaps more. Many people affected would have bought fleets of such vehicles and in their case the potential compensation could be very large indeed”.

Tim goes on to say: “Some claimants will be those that transport goods as their business but also some will transport their own goods such as farmers, manufacturers, scaffolders, builders, construction workers, engineers and those involved in waste disposal and skips”.

Claims in the UK will be brought before the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). In order to bring a claim for compensation claimants will need to provide clear evidence of purchasing or leasing goods vehicles or trucks weighing six tonnes or more. Calculation of the level of overpricing will be a complex matter involving experts and having regard to numerous factors.

Gary Warren of R Turner (Haulage) Ltd comments: “It is deeply disappointing that over a long period purchasers appear to have been misled and incurred unnecessarily excessive costs in a sector where margins have been very low. We welcome any redress.”

Ashtons Road Transport and Regulatory team, which Tim Ridyard heads, can help those who believe they may have been affected by the price-fixing and these such cases will be funded on a no-win no-fee basis, meaning there will be no need to provide funds as the case progresses.

Call the team on 0333 220 9071 to discuss your claim.