LA CROSSE, Wis. – Three fire truck manufacturers, including two based in Wisconsin, are accused by the City of La Crosse of conspiring to limit supply and drive up prices.
A lawsuit filed August 20 alleges Oshkosh Corporation, Rev Group based in Brookfield, and Rosenbauer America, LLC worked together to buy out several smaller manufacturers during the 2008 Great Recession. The suit claims the companies now control between 70% and 80% of the fire truck market in the US.
“If the price of fire trucks had increased only at the rate of inflation between 2015 and 2025, pumper trucks would cost approximately $680,000 (rather than the current cost of $1 million), and ladder trucks would cost approximately $1.2 million (rather than $2 million),” the suit reads in part.
The companies’ cooperation was organized through their memberships with the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association, according to the complaint.
The City of La Crosse specifically said the $1 million price tag for a new fire truck to serve the city airport and the long wait time “were too much for the City”, which decided to make do with its current fleet. To try to adapt to ever-increasing prices and lengthening backlogs, the La Crosse Fire Department “has already begun requesting funds for a replacement truck that it will not need until 2030”.
Additionally, the suit cites other municipalities across the country that have had to adapt to the surge in fire truck costs: in January of 2025, the Chicago fire department threw a mock thirtieth birthday celebration for one of its trucks, according to the complaint. In Los Angeles, the department has averaged only 78% in recent years available for deployment at any time as older trucks are pulled for maintenance, instead of the desired 90%.
Both Oshkosh Corp and Rosenbauer have denied the claims; Rosenbauer LLC has not commented.
TOP STORIES FROM THE WTMJ NEWSROOM:
- Former Milwaukee cop gets prison time for abusing infant daughter
- Teen arrested in connection to relative’s death in South Milwaukee
- Milwaukee alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa running for Wisconsin Secretary of State
- Officials break ground on Port Milwaukee’s South Shore Cruise Dock
- Brewers Shutout for First Time Since July in 2-0 Loss to Phillies, Who Take Series in Milwaukee
