Additional Settlements Reached in Auto Parts Antitrust Class Actions

UPDATE:

• An Ontario Superior Court of Justice judge approved the distribution protocol for the auto parts antitrust class action settlements May 13, 2021.

Additional settlements have been reached in Canadian auto parts antitrust class action lawsuits.

The class actions claimed several companies conspired to fix the prices of automotive parts sold in Canada or sold to manufacturers for installation in vehicles sold in Canada, according to the settlement notice.

Most major automakers are involved in the litigation: Aston Martin, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda/Acura, Jaguar Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Nissan/Infiniti, Subaru, Toyota/Lexus, Volkswagen, and Volvo.

The recent settlements relate to the alternators, automatic transmission fluid warmers and oil coolers, automotive brake hoses, automotive hoses, fuel injection systems, heater control panels, inverters, motor generators, occupant safety systems, oxygen sensors, radiators, spark plugs, starters, steering angle sensors, switches, and windshield wiper systems actions, according to law firm Camp Fiorante Matthews.

The Class includes anyone who, during the relevant Class Period, purchased or leased, directly or indirectly, a new or used automotive vehicle in Canada; anyone who purchased a new or used automotive vehicle for import into Canada; or anyone purchased, directly or indirectly, a relevant part in Canada.

The relevant Class Periods for each auto part can be found beginning on page 13 of the settlement notice.

The settlements must still be approved by courts in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.

Hearings will be held May 13, 2021, in Ontario and May 31, 2021, in Quebec.

If the Ontario Court approves the settlements, approval applications will be heard in writing in British Columbia.

At the hearings, the Courts will decide whether to approve a proposed protocol for funds distribution to Class Members.

The protocol for calculating payments takes into account the purchase price of the affected vehicle, the timing of the lease or purchase of that vehicle, and the categorization of the Class Member as an automaker, dealer, or end user.

Each claimant is expected to receive an estimated minimum payment of $25, according to the auto parts settlement website.

Class Members who want to exclude themselves from the braking systems or manual steering column class actions must do so by June 19, 2021.

Those who did not receive a notice about this settlement but would like to receive future notices are encouraged to register on the Siskinds law firm website. Information about how to apply for settlement funds will be provided in a future notice.

A previous claim form deadline related to the auto parts settlement has passed.

Top Class Actions will let readers know if and when a new claim form becomes available.

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