M-B and five dealerships investigated by the OFT
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THE OFFICE of Fair Trading (OFT) is claiming that Mercedes-Benz and five dealerships have infringed competition law.
The OFT has written to: Ciceley Commercials and its ultimate parent Ciceley; Enza Motors, its parent Enza Holdings and its ultimate parent Enza Group; H&L Garages and its parent Dusted Powder; Mercedes-Benz UK, its parent Daimler UK and its ultimate parent Daimler AG; Northside Truck & Van and its ultimate parent S.A.H; and Road Range.
It claims that each infringement involved two or three dealers and that Mercedes-Benz was also involved in two of the alleged infringements, which took place between 2007 and 2010.
The Statement of Objections supplied to the businesses is not being made public, but the OFT says the infringements all contain an element of market sharing, price co-ordination and/or exchange of commercially sensitive information.
A statement released by Mercedes-Benz says: “We now have detailed information about the investigation of the OFT for the first time. We will analyse the information and then give our feedback to the OFT.” Northside Truck and Van MD Tim Ward says: “Since the initiation of the OFT’s investigation, Northside Truck and Van has reviewed its compliance procedures to ensure that they are effective. Northside Truck and Van does not condone anti-competitive behaviour.” The development is unconnected with the recent announcement that the OFT had closed its civil investigation into suspected cartel behaviour by CV manufacturers, including Mercedes-Benz. The findings are provisional.