February 1 Deadline For Antitrust Class Action Settlements

Fleet managers may be entitled to receive money from the Canadian Export Antitrust Settlement.  The settlement came from an allegation that certain automakers and trade associations conspired in violation of federal and state antitrust and consumer protection laws to prevent virtually identical, but cheaper, new cars from being exported to the United States and Canada, making vehicle prices higher for U.S. consumers.

Toyota has agreed to pay $35 million for the benefit of a Class of people or businesses who bought or leased a new vehicle from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2006.  The Canadian Automobile Dealers' Association (CADA) has agreed to pay $700,000 for the benefit of the Class.  Both Toyota and CADA have agreed not to conspire with others or share certain types of information with other automakers aimed at preventing Canadian vehicles from entering the United States.

Fleet purchasers are entitled to receive money from the settlement involving Toyota and CADA if they purchased or leased new motor vehicles during the period January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2006; reside or have their principal place of business in the United States, and purchased or leased the vehicle from an auto dealer located in the United States; and the vehicle you purchased or leased was one of the following makes: Acura, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hummer, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedes, Mercury, Mini, Nissan, Oldsmobile, Plymouth, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Toyota, Volkswagen, or Volvo.

The application deadline for the settlement is February 1, 2011.  For more information or to fill out the application online, please visit http://www.canadianexportantitrust.com.