The RHA has said that compensation in its legal case against the truck manufacturers involved in the price-fixing scandal could yield around £6,000 per truck.
The association is co-ordinating a group claim on behalf of members and non-members alike after the European Commission (EC) fined MAN, Volvo Group (which includes Volvo Trucks and Renault Truck), Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler, Iveco and DAF close to €3 billion (£2.6 billion) for price-fixing and other cartel activities between 1997 and 2011.
Scania is still contesting the issue with the EC but the RHA said it would bring the manufacturer into the action regardless.
RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: “UK truck owners affected by the truck cartel have potentially paid too much for their lorries over a 14-year period and we’re determined to get a fair deal for them.
“This is a chance to get their compensation with no risk to their business or finances. As the representative body with sole responsibility for UK road freight operators, we are duty-bound to act on behalf of our members’ wishes.
"They have made it clear that they feel angry about the truck pricing cartel and want us to represent them. Our legal team at Backhouse Jones, Exchange Chambers and Brick Court will seek the best compensation deal that we can on behalf of our members and other UK victims of this cartel.”
Burnett added that funding for the claim had been secured from Therium Capital Management, meaning there is no cost to individuals of joining the action.
The RHA has said that during the period the cartel operated, it believes around 650,000 new trucks were sold.
