Truck manufacturers DAF, Volvo/Renault, Daimler and Iveco must pay a record fine of almost three billion euros to the European Commission. The manufacturers formed a cartel for 14 years, causing some 600 thousand transport operators to overpay for their trucks.
MAN, part of Volkswagen, also participated in the truck cartel. The manufacturer does not have to pay a fine because it raised the alarm with the European Commission. The companies allegedly made price agreements with each other between 1997 and 2004. The cartel members talked to each other at trade fairs and other events, as well as by phone. From 2004, information was also exchanged digitally and the companies communicated through some German subsidiaries. The companies not only agreed on prices, but also discussed when to introduce new, cleaner truck engines. They also agreed on how to pass on the cost of this new emission technology to customers. The cartelisation did not come to light until years later. In 2011, the European Commission raided the offices of the participating companies. Official points of objection followed in 2014.
Cartelisation is 'unacceptable'
The European Commission did not hand out such a high fine before. The €2.93 billion fine is meant to send a signal that cartelisation in Europe is unacceptable. "There are an estimated 30 million trucks circulating in Europe. Of every 10 medium and heavy trucks on European roads, nine come from the factories of these manufacturers. Instead of competing with each other, they colluded," European competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager explained the level of the fine.
Manufacturer DAF may receive the highest fine. This is evident from the provisions made by the companies. Parent group Paccar, for instance, set aside $945 million. Daimler, Iveco and Volvo made provisions of $600 million, $500 million and $400 million respectively.
MAN benefits from immunity
The scandal was brought to light by truck manufacturer MAN, part of Volkswagen. The company benefits from full immunity by reporting the existence of the truck cartel. The manufacturer would otherwise have had to pay a €1.2 billion fine. Scania is also under investigation by the European Commission. However, no deal has yet been reached with this.
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