Mercedes-Benz and truck dealers face OFT inquiry

By GARETH MACKIE
Published on 29/06/2012 02:25

The Office of Fair Trading yesterday warned that German car giant Mercedes-Benz and five of its truck and van dealers across the UK may have broken competition law.

The watchdog has issued a provisional finding alleging that the companies were involved in price-fixing and the sharing of commercially sensitive information between 2007 and 2010.

It named the dealers as Ciceley Commercials, Enza Motors, H&L Garages, Northside Truck & Van and Road Range. The companies mainly operate in northern England and Wales, although Ciceley has a branch in Dumfries.

Each alleged infringement involved “two or three dealers”, the OFT said, adding that Mercedes-Benz was also involved in two of the alleged infringements.

The OFT said: “Based on the evidence currently before us, we have reason to believe that these dealers co-operated to limit competition in their areas.

“These are the OFT’s provisional findings only. All parties will now have a full opportunity to respond before we decide whether competition law has in fact been infringed.”

Mercedes-Benz UK said: “We now have detailed information about the investigation for the first time. We will analyse the information and then give our feedback to the OFT.

“We cannot comment further and we will continue to co-operate with the authorities.”