Milwaukee Sues Fire Truck Makers for Alleged Price Fixing

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The city of Milwaukee has filed a federal lawsuit against several fire truck manufacturers, including Oshkosh Corporation and REV Group, alleging they worked together to limit competition and purposely kept production capacity low in order to increase prices. The city contends these actions have forced fire departments to keep old, unreliable trucks instead of replacing them, impairing firefighters' ability to respond effectively and leaving the public less protected during emergencies.

Why it matters

This lawsuit is the latest in a string of similar legal actions taken by communities across the country against fire truck manufacturers, accusing them of anti-competitive practices that have driven up costs and hampered fire departments' ability to maintain modern, reliable fleets. The outcome could have significant implications for how fire trucks are procured and priced in the future.

The details

The lawsuit names Oshkosh Corporation, REV Group, and the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association as defendants. It alleges they coordinated to limit competition and intentionally kept production capacity low, forcing fire departments to retain aging vehicles instead of purchasing new ones. This, the city claims, has compromised public safety and firefighter effectiveness during emergencies.

• The lawsuit was filed on February 19, 2026.

What’s next

The court will now consider the merits of the city's allegations and determine whether the case can proceed as a class action lawsuit on behalf of other affected municipalities.