Reserve Soldier Files Class Action Against CalMobil Over Vehicle Licensing Fee Discount
A reserve soldier from Haifa, Guy Zaabi, has filed a class action lawsuit against CalMobil, alleging the company charged him the full vehicle licensing fee but paid a discounted rate to the Ministry of Transportation without passing the savings to him. The dispute began last month when Zaabi purchased a new JAC vehicle priced at 226,900 shekels and was informed he needed to pay an additional 2,786 shekels for the licensing fee. After completing the purchase and receiving the invoice, Zaabi noticed the fee matched the full amount, despite his entitlement to a 70-shekel discount as an active reserve soldier.
Upon receiving the vehicle in early July, Zaabi found a license document indicating a discount for reserve soldiers, showing a paid fee of 2,716 shekels, 70 shekels less than what he paid CalMobil. He claims CalMobil never informed him of this discount or refunded the difference. Zaabi, represented by lawyers Roee Belcher, Oron Kinan, and Shahar Meshalof from KRB Crispin Rubinstein Belcher Kadosh & Co., who are also reserve soldiers, submitted the class action to the Lod District Court seeking approximately 2.5 million shekels in damages.
The lawsuit argues CalMobil unlawfully retained the discount amounts reserved for reserve soldiers, accusing the company of unjust enrichment and bad faith. The Ministry of Transportation confirmed it grants licensing fee discounts automatically to eligible reserve soldiers and applies them retroactively if eligibility is confirmed after payment. However, since the transaction and payment were handled through CalMobil, the ministry directed any payment disputes to the company.
CalMobil responded that it had just received the lawsuit and will review it, emphasizing it operates in full compliance with the law and supports reserve soldiers through various channels. The case highlights concerns over transparency and proper application of military service-related benefits in vehicle transactions.
