Drivers of 10 popular cars set for compensation payouts after UK trial

Drivers of 10 popular cars set for compensation payouts after UK trial
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Drivers of certain popular vehicles could benefit from compensation payouts as a massive UK trial begins. Motorists could be set to receive significant payouts for a motoring scandal which saw millions overpay on vehicle shipping costs for years.

Two of the world's largest shipping companies have been accused of inflating prices on travel costs for importing cars into the UK. The nine-week trial at the Competition Appeal Tribunal will see shipping conglomerates MOL and NYK face claims valued at approximately £100million.

This brings total compensation up for grabs by UK businesses and consumers to £38.75 million, including the CSAV settlement that was approved in December last year. Over 17 million cars and vans bought in the UK are said to have been affected by a price-fixing scheme run by international shipping firms MOL, “K” Line, NYK, WWL/EUKOR and CSAV.

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Major automotive brands impacted included Ford, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, Peugeot, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Toyota, Citroen and Renault. The class representative is Mark McLaren, who has instructed Scott+Scott, and Sarah Ford KC and Sarah O’Keefe of Brick Court Chambers and Nicholas Gibson of Monckton Chambers. The claim is funded by Woodsford.

Mark McLaren, who is leading the class action, said: "We believe that the cartel meant that car manufacturers paid too much to transport new vehicles from their factories around the world to the UK and Europe. In turn, customers who bought a new car or van between [the period] are also likely to have paid too much by way of delivery charge.

"I have spent much of my career working in consumer protection and feel strongly that consumers and businesses harmed by unlawful conduct should be compensated." Belinda Hollway, Partner at Scott+Scott London,said: “The approval of these settlements is a very positive development for class members and demonstrate the claim’s momentum ahead of the nine week trial against the remaining two defendants in January. Scott+Scott is proud to be advising the class representative and this is an important achievement for the claimants that Mark represents, providing access to justice and securing redress to victims of the cartel.”