OFT fines Mercedes-Benz

Following an investigation by the Office of Fair Trading, Mercedes-Benz UK and three of its commercial vehicle dealers have been fined a total of £2.6 million.

The penalties relate to three separate infringements of competition law, all perpetrated during the supply of vans and trucks in northern England and parts of Scotland and Wales.

Each occurrence entailed elements of price coordination, market sharing or the exchange of commercially sensitive information:
  • Case one concerned the distribution of vans between 15 January 2008 and 26 January 2010; involved were dealers Ciceley and Northside.
  • Case two concerned the distribution of vans between 1 February 2008 and 26 January 2010; involved were dealers Ciceley and Road Range.
  • Case three concerned the distribution of trucks between 8 December 2009 and 26 January 2010; involved were Mercedes-Benz UK and dealers Ciceley, Enza and Road Range.
Because Northside was the first firm to provide evidence after the enquiry began, it received immunity from punishment under the OFT’s leniency policy.

Mercedes-Benz Van Range 2013

The four remaining parties have had their fines reduced by 15 per cent in recognition of their subsequent admissions and agreement to a quicker administrative process.

Consequently the final dealer fines are £659,675 for Ciceley, £347,198 for Enza and £115,774 for Road Range. Mercedes-Benz UK meanwhile faces a penalty of £1,492,646. Those amounts reflect a number of factors, including company turnover and the seriousness of the infringements.

Related posts:
OFT investigates Mercedes
OFT probes price fixing

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts:

Alfa MiTo TwinAir arrives

Image
The Alfa Romeo MiTo supermini is now available with the innovative two-cylinder TwinAir petrol engine. Although its capacity is only 875 cc, a turbocharger and the MultiAir electro-hydraulic valve control system mean it produces a respectable 83 bhp (62 kW / 85 PS) and 145 Nm (103 lb/ft) of torque. Performance might not be scintillating - the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint takes 12.5 seconds and maximum speed is 108 mph (173 km/h) - but the TwinAir’s trump card is efficiency. Carbon dioxide emissions are only 98 g/km, a level that brings numerous benefits for UK drivers including zero road tax, a full discount on the London Congestion Charge and qualification for the lowest company car benefit-in-kind rate. Fuel economy is also decent and, according to the official figures, a TwinAir-powered MiTo will manage 67.3 mpg (4.2 l/100km) on the combined cycle. Impressive maybe, but still some way off the 78.5 mpg (3.6 l/100km) of the existing 1.3 JTDM-2 diesel MiTo. However, any
Read more

i10 N Line versus the Up! GTI

Image
Hyundai has confirmed specifications and pricing for its sporty i10 N Line. This new variant – which arrives at dealers later this month – benefits from some cosmetic tweaks, unique suspension components and a more powerful 1.0 litre T-GDi turbocharged petrol engine.
Read more

Honda WSB team launch

Image
Honda has unveiled its works team for the 2011 World Superbike championship . The announcement of Castrol as title sponsor means the return to a very familiar colour scheme for the pair of CBR1000RR Fireblade bikes, which will be ridden by Jonathan Rea and Ruben Xaus. As in recent years, Honda has entrusted Dutch concern Ten Kate Racing with running the factory WSB team. First thing on the Castrol Honda agenda is a two day testing session at the Motorland Aragón circuit in Spain later this week. The 2011 WSB season comprises thirteen rounds with Phillip Island, Australia hosting the opening race on 27 February.
Read more

BMW Concept M135i

Image
Next month’s Geneva Motor Show will see BMW unveil the latest addition to its new ‘M Performance’ line-up. Although not quite as hardcore as full-on M cars like the M3 and M5, the M Performance models are nevertheless designed to offer sharper handling, sportier styling and a powerful engine. The M550d xDrive, X5 M50d and the X6 M50d have already been announced as the first of the breed, but now it’s the turn of the F21 three-door 1 Series to get the M Performance treatment. Powering the Concept M135i is a six cylinder petrol engine with Twin Power Turbo technology. For now, all BMW is saying is that it generates ‘more than 300 horsepower’, which makes it sound as if it could be very similar to the three-litre, 335 bhp (250 kW / 340 PS) motor that’s currently used in the 1 Series M Coupé . As well as upgraded suspension, the Concept M135i also features 18” double-spoke alloy wheels, a sports braking system and bespoke aprons front and rear. The visual effect is completed by
Read more