🇩🇪Germany

Kartellbedingte Preisaufschläge im Lkw-Einkauf (Truck Cartel Price Inflation)

Updated: Feb 20263 verified sources

Definition

Between 2000–2016, Daimler and at least four other truck manufacturers colluded on pricing and EURO emission standards cost pass-through for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. The European Commission's settlement decision (19 July 2016) confirmed collusive arrangements on 'pricing and gross price increases' and 'coordination of their market behaviour on timing and passing on of costs.' German courts (BGH KZR 35/19) confirmed a factual presumption that cartel participants' combined market share (>90%) caused systematic price inflation. Deutsche Bahn alone purchased ~35,000 trucks for €2+ billion during the cartel period and claimed €500+ million in damages; the company settled with DAF for 'lower double-digit million range.' Approximately 1,000 companies filed cartel damage claims involving ~15,000 transactions. Manual claim verification and settlement negotiation delays prevented faster compensation.

Key Findings

Financial Impact: Deutsche Bahn: €500+ million claimed; settlement amount: 'lower double-digit million range' (estimated €10–99M). Cartel participants' combined market share >90% suggests systemic €hundreds of millions overcharge across ~1,000 claimants and ~15,000 transactions. Estimated average overcharge: €100k–€500k per operator.
Frequency: Single cartel infringement (2000–2016); ongoing settlement claims (2017–2025)
Root Cause: Cartel collusion by truck OEMs; absence of real-time price forensics systems and automated settlement claim intake/verification; manual document review delays.

Why This Matters

This pain point represents a significant opportunity for B2B solutions targeting Truck Transportation.

Affected Stakeholders

Owner-operators, Fleet operators, Logistics companies, Transport associations (TLV, UPTR, Deminor-represented hauliers)

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Financial Impact

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Methodology & Sources

Data collected via OSINT from regulatory filings, industry audits, and verified case studies.

Evidence Sources:

Related Business Risks

Toll-Collect Rückforderungsverfahren – Verzögerung bei Auszahlung (Toll-Collect Refund Processing Backlog)

Exact refund amounts: Not disclosed. Estimated impact: 1–3 months average processing delay per claim; typical owner-operator refund claim: €5,000–€50,000 (based on annual toll exposure). Opportunity cost (working capital drag at 5% annual interest): €200–€2,500 per operator per delayed month.

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