Truckmakers angered by TfL’s promotion of DAF LEZ discount
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By Justin Stanton
TRUCKMAKERS are incensed that Transport for London (TfL) has alerted hauliers that are looking to upgrade to London Low Emission Zone (LEZ)-compliant trucks of a discount initiative from DAF.
Last month letters were sent by TfL to operators with non-LEZ compliant trucks, stating: “The Mayor [Boris Johnson] has negotiated bespoke offers on new trucks from DAF.” In fact, DAF approached TfL with a “range of special offers and advice to ensure all its customers, current and potential, get the best possible advice to remain compliant”, according to a statement from the manufacturer. However, MAN CEO Des Evans tells CM: “DAF was within its rights to make such an approach, but we would have expected this to trigger an open tendering process. I am not aware of MAN having been invited to contribute to any such process. We are concerned by the Mayor’s approach, which appears to favour just one manufacturer. We intend to [seek] full clariication.” An Iveco spokesman says: “We are all in a competitive environment; TfL should have contacted all CV manufacturers and given the opportunity to participate in a joint initiative, thereby offering choice.” Scania MD Hans-Christer Holgersson says: “We have strong concerns [about the letter] , which we have addressed to the Mayor.” Volvo MD Goran Nyberg adds: “No one at Volvo Trucks has been approached by the Mayor’s ofice or by TfL on the subject.” A TfL spokesman says: “Discounts have been negotiated with a wide range of manufacturers. There are no exclusive deals and we would be delighted to hear from any manufacturer that is willing to offer similar incentives.”