Mercedes-Benz: distribution of commercial vehicles (trucks and vans)
Office of Fair Trading (OFT) closed Competition Act 1998 case.
No. CE/9161-09
Advice for the motor industry
27 June 2014: Advice for the motor industry on competition law compliance has been published by the CMA.
Summary of work
In January 2010, the OFT launched a formal investigation into suspected breaches of the Chapter I prohibition of the Competition Act 1998 in the distribution of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles (trucks and vans).
On 28 June 2012, the OFT issued a Statement of Objections to Mercedes-Benz and five dealers of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles who are mainly active within areas in the North of England and parts of Wales and Scotland.
On 21 February 2013, the OFT announced that Mercedes-Benz and three of the dealers, Ciceley, Road Range and Enza, had admitted infringing competition law and agreed to pay fines totalling 拢2.6 million.
On 27 March 2013, the OFT issued infringement decisions finding that Mercedes-Benz and five of its commercial vehicles dealers infringed competition law and imposed fines totalling over 拢2.8 million.
The decisions relate to:
- Decision 1: the distribution of vans between 23 March 2007 and 26 January 2010, involving H&L Garages and Northside
- Decision 2: the distribution of vans between 15 January 2008 and 26 January 2010, involving Ciceley and Northside
- Decision 3: the distribution of vans between 1 February 2008 and 26 January 2010, involving Ciceley and Road Range
- Decision 4: the distribution of trucks between 13 June 2008 and 26 January 2010, involving H&L Garages and Northside
- Decision 5: the distribution of trucks between 8 December 2009 and 26 January 2010, involving Ciceley, Enza, Mercedes-Benz and Road Range
Related documents
- Press release: (28 June 2012)
- Press release: (21 February 2013)
- Press release: ( 27 March 2013)
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