New Motor Vehicles Canadian Export Antitrust

Case Update

This case settled with Toyota Motor Corporation for $35 million and with the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association for under $1 million. Final appeal of the settlement will be heard on February 18, 2011.

Case Summary

This lawsuit alleges that the major automobile manufacturers unlawfully conspired to prevent the export of less expensive Canadian new motor vehicles into the United States. The Defendants named in the Complaint include: General Motors Corporation, General Motors Canada, Ford Motor Company, Ford Canada, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., American Honda Motor Company, Honda Canada, DaimlerChrysler Corp., DaimlerChrysler Canada, Nissan North America, and Mercedes-Benz USA. According to the complaint, manufacturers maintained higher prices on virtually every car sold in the United States compared to prices of the same vehicles in Canada, charging 10-30 percent more for their vehicles in the United States. For example, Ford's 2002 Windstar LX minivan had a Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of US$16,448 in Canada and US$22,340 in the United States -- a difference of 26 percent. In another example, the MSRP for a 2002 Lexus SC43 was 13 percent lower in Canada than the United States, US$53,151 compared to US$61,055. 

If you purchased a new vehicle through an authorized dealer of one these Defendants from January, 2001 to May 2003 you may be a member of the Class. The firm serves as Co-Lead Counsel in this case which is pending in the United States District Court, District of Maine.