Dozens of cities and counties sue fire truck makers over soaring costs, delivery delays

More than 60 cities, counties and fire departments — from Kansas City to Pittsburgh, Milwaukee to San Diego — allege in federal antitrust suits that REV Group, Oshkosh Corporation and Rosenbauer Group, which together control an estimated 70-80% of the U.S. fire truck market, conspired through their trade association to suppress competition. Fire engine prices have nearly doubled since 2020, from about $589,000 to over $1 million, while wait times have stretched to years; Seattle's fire department said replacing one ladder truck took more than four years, versus about one previously.

Kansas City's fire chief told senators last fall that a third of the department's engines were unusable in 2023 while it waited on manufacturer parts, and a nationwide search turned up only four trucks it could buy immediately. Some departments say manufacturers imposed 'floating prices' that rose right before delivery — a Delaware County, Pennsylvania volunteer department says it paid a 50% deposit only to be told it owed an additional $110,000 later.

The defendants moved to dismiss two of the suits Tuesday, blaming pandemic-driven demand and supply chain disruption rather than any antitrust violation. Texas, California and members of Congress from both parties have separately opened investigations or filed suits over the same consolidation.

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