Why Are German Automakers Accused of Violating Antitrust Laws?

If you purchased a diesel vehicle from Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, or Volkswagen between 2006 and 2014, you may have been manipulated into paying more for your vehicle than you should have due to anticompetitive agreements between these auto manufacturers.

Why Are German Automakers Accused of Violating Antitrust Laws?

According to the European Union (EU), German carmakers may have colluded between 2006 and 2014 in an effort to delay technology meant to reduce harmful auto emissions. If Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, or Volkswagen are found to have colluded in such a scheme, they may also be found to have violated antitrust laws.

The technology that German automakers are accused of affecting with their scheme include one technology designed to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel vehicles, and another designed to filter emissions from gasoline vehicles. According to the statement released by EU regulators, “Restricting competition on innovation for these two emission cleaning systems … denied consumers the opportunity to buy less polluting cars.”

In addition to reducing consumers’ ability to buy less polluting cars, the alleged scheme may also have driven up the price for these vehicles by reducing innovation and artificially inflating vehicle prices. Customers who bought or leased their vehicle between 2006 and 2014 may have been affected by this artificial inflation.

If these companies are found to be liable for violating antitrust laws, they may be fined up to 10 percent of their annual worldwide sales, in addition to losing the trust of regulators and consumers.

The companies may also face litigation from consumers who were affected by the alleged scheme. Plaintiffs in at least one current class action lawsuit against the automakers regarding the alleged scheme claim that collusion between the companies resulted in them having to pay high prices for their vehicles while being deprived of technological advances and improvements. Plaintiffs who file lawsuits over these possible antitrust violations may be able to collect damages including reimbursement for the inflated cost of their vehicle, as well as punitive damages against the companies.

What are Antitrust Schemes?

Antitrust schemes are schemes conducted by two or more companies in an industry who agree to enter into an agreement together to coordinate the production or pricing for their products or services. Antitrust schemes are often meant to artificially drive up the prices for these products or services to increase profits for the companies involved in the scheme. These schemes benefit the companies involved by increasing their profits, while also depriving consumers of affordable products and limiting the products available to them.

What are Antitrust Laws?

Antitrust laws
are laws meant to counteract antitrust schemes. These laws are also often referred to as competition laws, and are meant to protect consumers from predatory business practices and encourage fair competition and an open market. Antitrust laws allow consumers to have access to a variety of options for products in a given industry’s field, while also keeping the prices for these products from being artificially increased.

Join a German Vehicle Antitrust Class Action Lawsuit

If you leased or purchased a new diesel vehicle from Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and/or Volkswagen between 2006 and 2014, you may be eligible to join this antitrust lawsuit.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.