The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is about to enter the final stage of its investigation into Mercedes-Benz and five vehicle dealerships over suspected breaches of the Competition Act in the distribution of commercial vehicles.
The investigation, launched in 2010, relates to five separate alleged infringements between March 2007 and January 2010, each of them involving two or three dealers, and two of them also involving Mercedes-Benz.
Apart from Mercedes UK parent Daimler UK, and ultimate parent Daimler AG, the case involves: Ciceley Commercials and parent company Ciceley; Enza Motors, parent Enza Holdings and ultimate parent Enza Group; H&L Garages and parent Dusted Powder; Northside Truck & Van and ultimate parent SAH; and Road Range.
All five alleged infringements would have involved some element of market sharing, price co-ordination and/or exchange of commercially sensitive information if true.
Following a long period of initial investigation, the OFT issued its official Statement of Objections in the case in June last year, before entering into a six-month period for various parties to respond.
That period of response ends this month and will be followed by a 10-month period in which the OFT will consider those representations.
A final decision could be made as early as December, says the OFT, although it may be pushed back to June 2014 if further significant investigative or procedural steps are required.
A spokesman for Mercedes-Benz declined to comment except to say that the firm continues to assist the OFT with its investigation.
