In a striking legal move, the City of Arcadia has filed a class action lawsuit against several major fire truck manufacturers and associated entities, alleging anticompetitive practices that have significantly impacted public safety. The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on December 22, 2025, targeting American Industrial Partners (AIP), Oshkosh Corporation, REV Group, Inc., Rosenbauer America LLC, and the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA).
The lawsuit accuses these defendants of conspiring to consolidate the fire truck market, leading to inflated prices and delayed deliveries that have compromised emergency response capabilities across the nation. According to the City of Arcadia’s complaint, these actions violate Section 1 of the Sherman Act. The city claims that beginning as early as January 2016, these companies engaged in a coordinated effort to limit supply and fix prices at supra-competitive levels. This alleged conspiracy resulted in a dramatic increase in fire truck costs—doubling over the last decade—and extended wait times for new vehicles from 18 months to over four years.
The City of Arcadia argues that this market manipulation has forced municipalities to operate older, less reliable fire trucks longer than intended, thereby increasing risks during emergencies. Additionally, funds meant for other essential services have been diverted to cover these inflated costs. The complaint highlights how AIP’s strategic acquisitions through its subsidiary REV Group led to a dominant market position by absorbing competitors like KME and Ferrara Fire Apparatus. Similar strategies were employed by Oshkosh Corporation and Rosenbauer America LLC.
Moreover, FAMA is implicated as a facilitator of this alleged conspiracy by providing a platform for sharing sensitive economic data among manufacturers. This data exchange reportedly enabled coordination on pricing strategies and production limitations without fear of competitive retaliation due to high entry barriers in the industry.
The plaintiffs are seeking treble damages for overcharges paid due to this anticompetitive conduct and are also requesting injunctive relief to prevent further harm. They argue that such measures are necessary not only for financial restitution but also for restoring competitive balance in the fire apparatus market.
Representing Arcadia are attorneys from prominent law firms specializing in antitrust litigation. The case is presided over by judges from the Eastern District of Wisconsin under Case ID 1:25-cv-02005.
Source: 125cv02005_City_of_Arcadia_v_American_Industrial_Partners_Complaint_Eastern_District_Wisconsin.pdf
