MAN boss ‘surprised and disappointed’ over RHA pricing action
The first senior figure in the British truck industry to go public over the Road Haulage Association’s (RHA) decision to seek compensation for operators for the fixing of new vehicle prices has expressed his surprise and disappointment at what he called a lack of “pre-discussion” on the matter.
Simon Elliott (pictured) took over as managing director of MAN’s UK operations just over two years ago. Between 1997 and 2011, when the Europe-wide price-fixing was taking place, he was not working in the heavy truck business, and MAN itself has escaped sanction on the matter from the European Union, because it was the German company which ‘blew the whistle’ on the deal.
The RHA previously announced that it would pursue the truck manufacturers for compensation on behalf of those of its members who feel they were overcharged for new trucks purchased in those years.
Speaking exclusively to Transport Operator on the eve of the IAA truck and bus show in Hanover, Mr Elliott said: “I don’t know how our customers view the matter of the price-fixing, because none of them have raised it as an issue with us.
“But I am surprised and disappointed that there was no pre-discussion by the RHA with us at all on the matter given the support that we, and the other truck manufacturers, have given to them over many years. We have yet to hear anything from any of our actual customers in reference to this.
“I wasn’t involved in the truck business at the time so I can’t comment on what might have gone on, but I do know that our customers have always been adept in getting good deals… in fact they will only give us what they are prepared to pay for new trucks.
“But the price-fixing problem has created a bigger one for the industry as a whole…it seems that we truck manufacturers are not allowed to talk to each other anymore at all!
“For example, we can’t go to government with a unified voice to talk about topics which are vital to truck operators and the country as a whole: topics such as fuel tax or the driver shortage, for instance.
“We are intrinsically linked as an industry group; we should not be isolated from each other. It’s a shame for the industry as a whole that we currently are.”
In response, the RHA said its chief executive Richard Burnett had actively sought to make clear to the truck manufacturers that the RHA wished to maintain and strengthen good relations with them, and that it viewed the price cartel issue as being quite separate, distinct, and “ring-fenced” from all other aspects of its relationships with them.
Mr Burnett said: “We are already meeting with the other truck manufacturers and so far, MAN and Simon Elliott are the only ones that have declined to meet us.
“This is not only disappointing for the RHA, more importantly it is disappointing for those of our members who have always been loyal to the MAN brand.”
