La Crosse Sues Fire Truck Manufacturers Alleging Antitrust Conspiracy to Raise Prices
The City of La Crosse, Wisconsin has filed a class action lawsuit in federal court against several major fire apparatus manufacturers, alleging they conspired to suppress competition, restrict supply, and drive up the cost of fire trucks. The case was filed on August 20, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Named as defendants are Oshkosh Corporation and its subsidiary Pierce Manufacturing, REV Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, Rosenbauer America LLC, and the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA). Together, these companies account for an estimated 70–80% of the U.S. fire truck market.
According to the complaint, fire truck prices have more than doubled in the last decade, with standard trucks that cost about $500,000 in the mid-2010s now selling for over $1 million. Specialty rigs that once cost $900,000 now exceed $2 million. At the same time, order backlogs have grown from 18 months to more than four years, delaying replacement of aging apparatus in municipal fleets.
The lawsuit alleges that the manufacturers coordinated through FAMA by exchanging confidential, non-public data and participating in members-only meetings. La Crosse contends this coordination allowed the companies to monitor one another, enforce compliance, and avoid undercutting each other on price or delivery. The complaint further alleges that the defendants reduced manufacturing capacity—even shutting down some facilities—despite rising demand, contributing to the backlog.
La Crosse cites its own purchases as examples of harm, noting it has acquired multiple Pierce and Rosenbauer trucks in recent years and currently has two additional Pierce pumpers on order. The city claims it and other municipalities were forced to pay inflated prices and divert funds from other needs because of the alleged conspiracy.
The complaint brings claims under Section 1 of the Sherman Act, Wisconsin antitrust law, and unjust enrichment. La Crosse is seeking injunctive relief, damages, restitution, and disgorgement. The city also seeks to represent a nationwide class of municipalities that purchased fire apparatus from the defendants during the alleged class period. Here is a copy of the complaint:
