San Diego County sues private equity, manufacturers over high fire truck costs

Lawsuit alleges companies acquired smaller firms, eliminating competition and leading to price hikes and delays

Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:50am

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San Diego County has filed a federal lawsuit against a private equity firm and several fire truck manufacturers, alleging they have taken over the market for fire trucks and their parts, leading to more than double the previous costs and much longer delivery times for the county's aging fleet.

Why it matters

The lawsuit aims to address concerns that the lack of competition in the fire truck market is endangering public safety, as fire departments struggle with aging equipment and budget constraints due to inflated prices and lengthy wait times for new vehicles.

The details

The county's complaint alleges that private equity firm American Industrial Partners consolidated multiple fire truck manufacturers into one entity known as REV Group, while Oshkosh Corporation's subsidiary Pierce Manufacturing has taken steps to control the market for chassis and replacement parts, allowing the company to charge high prices. This has resulted in fire trucks costing more than double what they used to and taking 1-4 years to be delivered, according to the county.

  • The lawsuit was filed on April 2, 2026.

The players

San Diego County

The local government entity that filed the federal lawsuit against the companies over the high costs and long wait times for fire trucks.

American Industrial Partners

A private equity firm that allegedly consolidated multiple fire truck manufacturers into one entity known as REV Group.

Oshkosh Corporation

A manufacturer that has allegedly taken steps to ensure its subsidiary Pierce Manufacturing controls the market for fire truck chassis and replacement parts.

Terra Lawson-Remer

The Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, who stated the lawsuit is part of a strategy to go "after a handful of greedy companies that turned fire trucks into profit cash cows."

Tony Mecham

The Cal Fire San Diego Unit Chief, who said it's "critical for our firefighters to be prepared and have the equipment needed to protect residents and quickly contain wildfires."

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What they’re saying

“Firefighters don't have a choice – when a truck breaks down, they need a new one. For years, fire departments have been paying more and waiting longer.”

— Terra Lawson-Remer, Chair, San Diego County Board of Supervisors

“We're taking those companies to court to stop the greed that's endangering lives and get our money back.”

— Terra Lawson-Remer, Chair, San Diego County Board of Supervisors

“It's critical for our firefighters to be prepared and have the equipment needed to protect residents and quickly contain wildfires. We've seen the devastation wildfires can cause in our communities. Increased costs and long wait times for equipment should not impact our ability to keep people safe.”

— Tony Mecham, Cal Fire San Diego Unit Chief

What’s next

The judge will hear arguments in the case and determine whether to grant the county's request for an injunction to stop the alleged anti-competitive practices.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the growing concerns over lack of competition in critical public safety equipment markets, which can lead to inflated prices, long delays, and potentially endanger communities. The outcome could set a precedent for how governments address consolidation and monopolistic behavior in essential industries.