Mayes investigating fire truck manufacturers after Arizona cities accuse them of price gouging

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office says it is investigating the fire truck manufacturing industry over what it calls skyrocketing costs and unreasonable delivery timelines.

Attorney General spokesman Richie Taylor said investigators are looking for antitrust violations.

“We’ve heard reports from fire departments across Arizona about really steep and sudden increases in the cost of essential equipment. Things like ladder trucks, pump engines, water tankers and rescue vehicles,” Taylor said

The Attorney General’s Office says despite high demand, price hikes have tracked closely with industry consolidation, manufacturing shutdowns and slowdowns.

“It is a safety issue in that every day firefighters across the state are putting themselves in danger to save Arizonans’ lives. And they are doing so increasingly with equipment that is outdated, in need of repairs,” Taylor said.

At least four Arizona cities have joined a lawsuit accusing fire truck manufacturers of price gouging and delayed manufacturing.