Investigation into the distribution of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles (CA98)
Case reference: CE/9161-09
Start date: January 2010
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Summary of work
In January 2010, the OFT launched a formal investigation into suspected breaches of the Chapter I prohibition of the Competition Act 1998 in the distribution of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles (trucks and vans).
On 28 June 2012, the OFT issued a Statement of Objections to Mercedes-Benz and five dealers of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles who are mainly active within areas in the North of England and parts of Wales and Scotland - see press release OFT issues statement of objections against Mercedes-Benz and five commercial vehicle dealers.
On 21 February 2013, the OFT announced that Mercedes-Benz and three of the dealers, Ciceley, Road Range and Enza, had admitted infringing competition law and agreed to pay fines totalling £2.6 million - see press release Mercedes-Benz and three commercial vehicle dealers to pay £2.6 million for breaching competition law.
On 27 March 2013, the OFT issued infringement decisions finding that Mercedes-Benz and five of its commercial vehicles dealers infringed competition law and imposed fines totalling over £2.8 million - see press release OFT issues five infringement decisions in the distribution of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles investigation.
The decisions relate to:
- Decision 1: the distribution of vans between 23 March 2007 and 26 January 2010, involving H&L Garages and Northside
- Decision 2: the distribution of vans between 15 January 2008 and 26 January 2010, involving Ciceley and Northside
- Decision 3: the distribution of vans between 1 February 2008 and 26 January 2010, involving Ciceley and Road Range
- Decision 4: the distribution of trucks between 13 June 2008 and 26 January 2010, involving H&L Garages and Northside
- Decision 5: the distribution of trucks between 8 December 2009 and 26 January 2010, involving Ciceley, Enza, Mercedes-Benz and Road Range
Case timetable
| Milestone | Date |
| Investigation opened | January 2010 (actual) |
| Initial investigation: information gathering including formal inspections, interviews of key witnesses, issuance of formal or informal information requests and parties' responses to requests | January - May 2010 (actual) |
| - OFT analysis and review of parties' responses to information requests - Further investigation including further interviews, inspections and information requests - Internal governance processes to decide investigation outcome |
June 2010 - June 2012 (actual) |
| Statement of Objections issued | June 2012 (actual) |
| Period for representations on the Statement of Objections | July 2012 - February 2013(actual) |
| OFT consideration of parties' representations on the Statement of Objections | September 2012 - February 2013(actual) |
| Settlement of three admitted infringements | February 2013 (actual) |
| Issue of five infringement decisions | March/April 2013 (actual) |
| Publication of five infringement decisions | Summer 2013 (estimated) |
Notes:
- Changes to the timing of original entries in the case timetable will be made where the estimated timing in the original timetable changes.
Senior responsible officer
Ali Nikpay (020 7211 8745, ali.nikpay@oft.gsi.gov.uk)
Project director
Lucília Falsarella Pereira (020 7211 8778, lucilia.falsarella-pereira@oft.gsi.gov.uk)
Team leader
Stephanie O'Neil (020 7211 8153, Stephanie.E.Oneil@oft.gsi.gov.uk)
Media enquiries
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