Scania has hit back at the European Commission's decision to fine it €881m (£771m) over price-fixing, refuting the charge and saying it will appeal it.
“Scania has reviewed today’s decision by the EC concerning inappropriate exchange of information during the period of 1997-2011, and will appeal against it.
“Scania strongly contests all the findings and allegations made by the EC, and will appeal against the decision in its entirety,” the Swedish company said in a statement.
In response to the EC's claim that it had not co-operated with the investigation and therefore had been hit with a large fine, the manufacturer added: “Scania also emphasises that it has co-operated fully with the EC by providing it with requested information and explanations throughout the entire investigation period.”
Including the Scania fine, the commission has now levied penalties approaching €3.8bn collectively against Europe’s major truck manufacturers.
Last year it hit five manufacturers with a €2.9bn fine comprising Volvo Group, Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler, Iveco and DAF. MAN was found guilty of breaking EU antitrust rules also but was spared a fine due to its status as whistle-blower.
Investigations had continued over Scania’s involvement after the manufacturer decided not to settle with the EC last year.
The fine levied against the manufacturer is the second largest after Daimler’s €1bn, last year.
In a statement issued earlier today the EC said that Scania had broken EU antitrust rules and colluded for 14 years with five other truck manufacturers on truck pricing and on passing on the costs of new technologies to meet stricter emission rules.
Scania and MAN are both part of the Volkswagen Group.
