UK haulage industry is the victim of price fixing cartel says RHA
The Road Haulage Association says the entire UK haulage industry is victim of the lorry price fixing cartel which has been heavily fined.
European truck manufacturers are facing a record fine of 2.93 billion euros for inflating the price of new lorries – and costing haulage operators millions of pounds.
There is widespread anger among hauliers at the cartel and at the scale of the wrongdoing.
Commenting, RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: “The truck manufacturers are our members’ key suppliers and enjoy a partnership which is very often based on trust.
“Over the past 20 years the supply of lorries has become more complex with a range of finance deals and maintenance contracts built in by the manufacturers as part of the supply agreement to their customers.
“Hauliers will be angered to learn that at the same time there was a price-fixing cartel linked to the Euro-emission standards. It is reassuring to have confirmation that there was no cheating in terms of the Euro-emission testing process but that is of little comfort in terms of the price fixing.
“The victim of this price fixing has been the whole haulage industry and it is already clear today, and in recent weeks that many of our members will want compensation.
“The RHA is therefore actively considering representing the industry in pursuit of this and is making final detailed checks about taking this issue to the courts.”
