VOR claims falter on non-franchise imports by Rob Willock •
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Hauliers will not receive compensation for the loss of use of a truck if they import it via a non-franchised dealer, according to Volvo, which has thrown out a claim from a haulier who sourced his vehicle abroad.
But long-standing Volvo patron Nicholas Weaver of Hampshire-based Weaver Transport says: "It shouldn't matter where I bought it—it still says Volvo on the grille." He says he shouldn't be treated as a second-class customer because he shopped around for the best deal. "I've bought around 60 new Volvos over the past 13 years, and I always thought they were the best," says Weaver. "But I'm never buying another."
Buying the left-handdrive FH12 from EM Rogers of Northampton saved Weaver nearly £7,500 against the UK list price, but the truck has proved to be a burden. It broke down in Spain last month and was off the road for nearly a month with faulty injectors.
Volvo eventually repaired the vehicle, but has now refused the compensation claim. A spokesman for Volvo says: "We fulfilled the technical part of the warranty by mending the vehicle. But Mr Weaver came back with a loss-of-use claim. He must claim that from his supplier and, in this case, he bought his vehicle from a non-franchised dealer. If he had bought it from a franchised dealer we would have considered his claim."
Weaver is livid: "If I was an owner-driver this would have put me out of business," he says. He has two Dais on order and says he is turning his back on the Swedish marque for good.