Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP Sues "Circle Of Five" German Manufacturers And Supplier Bosch

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Jul 28, 2017, 18:17 ET

NEW YORK, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP ("BFA") has filed suit against German automobile manufacturers and supplier Bosch, alleging the largest known single automobile cartel in U.S. and European history. The action, Lewis v. BMW AG et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, claims self-named Fünfer-Kreise ("Circle of Five")—Daimler/Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and BMW—have engaged in a 20-year cartel to suppress the development of technology in their automobiles from 1996 until at least 2015, as admitted by Daimler and VW to European regulators. BFA is seeking redress for the consumers and suppliers harmed by the cartel.

The complaint asserts that these widely-reported revelations belie claims by the "Circle of Five" for decades that German innovation and technology is superior. To the contrary, these "competitors" were exchanging competitively sensitive information about costs and technology and reaching secret agreements to stage and delay technological advances. For example, the Five agreed to limit the development of transmissions, suspension and other critical design elements of "German engineering," including emissions control systems, which ultimately led to the development of defeat devices at the heart of Dieselgate. The suit also alleges defendant Bosch played a knowing and critical role in deceiving U.S. regulators about the cartel's agreements from as early as 2006.

Lawyers at BFA, skilled at representing consumers and businesses harmed by automobile manufacturers, bring this action on behalf of all consumers who purchased any vehicle manufactured by Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, BMW, or any subsidiaries of these companies from 1996 to 2015. BFA has extensive experience with the German automotive industry and has successfully recovered billions of dollars for consumers.

Lesley Weaver, who leads BFA's Antitrust and Consumer Litigation Practice, is one of the lead attorneys in both the Volkswagen and Fiat Chrysler "Dieselgate" litigations, which allege that the carmakers deliberately cheated on emissions testing in coordination with Bosch. So far, the attorneys leading the Volkswagen litigation have recovered over $14.7 billion for class members and nearly $5 billion for the environment, the largest automotive class action recovery ever.

About Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP

Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading boutique focused on plaintiff-side complex litigation. The Firm represents and counsels investors, consumers and public entities in the prosecution of securities, antitrust, and consumer actions. BFA's success is based on an aggressive, tactical litigation strategy that is client-driven and outcome-oriented.

BFA also provides tailored research and data analysis to help its clients assess their rights in litigation, dispute resolution and risk assessment. BFA's founding partners have worked together for over fifteen years and have each been nationally recognized as leading litigators in the field of securities litigation.

BFA is based in New York City and has an office in Oakland, California. For more information, visit www.bfalaw.com.

Media Contact:
Erin Woods
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SOURCE Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP