Haulage operators affected by the long-running truck manufacturing cartel have been given more time to sign up to the RHA’s claim.
The group said thousands of operators had already opted in but it believed more time was needed given delays outside of its control and pressures being placed on operators during the busy pre-Christmas period.
It said the competition appeal tribunal had agreed to its request and it has now extended the time for potential class members to opt in to 28 February.
The RHA said it was particularly keen to hear from operators who registered an interest in the claim previously but had yet to sign up.
It added that even if a business had previously signed up, since August 2024 they have been required to take further steps to opt in to the RHA’s claim.
The claim has found operators that purchased or leased a new truck over six tonnes between 1997 and January 2014, or a used truck between 1997 and January 2015, may be entitled to compensation.
The RHA launched the claim for compensation in 2018 after truck manufacturers were found to have colluded on fixing prices and delayed the introduction of fuel-efficient emission technologies over a 14-year period.
In the summer, the group criticised DAF for a “blatant attempt” at placing legal obstacles between operators and them obtaining compensation after the truck maker emailed hauliers and urged them not to opt in to the collective claim.
