Did you purchase a vehicle in Canada containing forged aluminum and/or steel products or a replacement part for your vehicle that was made from forged aluminum and/or steel products between 2002 and 2018?
VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 16, 2026 /CNW/ -- Did you purchase a vehicle in Canada containing forged aluminum and/or steel products or a replacement part for your vehicle that was made from forged aluminum and/or steel products between 2002 and 2018?
If yes, then you may be entitled to compensation.
What is a class action?
A class action is a lawsuit filed by one person on behalf of a group of people who have the same legal claims.
What are these class action about?
This information relates to two class actions:
- Alteen v. Otto Fuchs Beteiligungen Kg et al., commenced in the British Columbia Supreme Court (Vancouver Registry) bearing Court File No. S-210739 (the "Aluminum Proceeding"); and
- Charlton v. Musashi Bockenau GmbH & Co. KG et al., commenced in the British Columbia Supreme Court (Vancouver Registry) bearing Court File no. S-211884 (the "Steel Proceeding").
These class actions allege that certain manufacturers, including Hirschvogel Umformtechnik GmbH and Hirschvogel Aluminium GmbH ("Hirschvogel"), conspired to fix the prices of forged aluminum and steel products, which then raised the prices of the vehicles containing the forged aluminum and steel products sold in Canada and the replacement parts for such vehicles (the "Class Actions").
Hirschvogel has denied these allegations. The Class Actions remain ongoing as against the other defendant groups, who have denied liability. None of these allegations have been proven against Hirschvogel or the other defendants.
Who is in the Class?
The court in British Columbia has certified the actions as class proceedings against Hirschvogel for settlement purposes only on behalf of anyone in Canada who bought or leased a vehicle, or who purchased vehicle replacement parts, that contained forged aluminum manufactured, marketed, distributed and/or sold by the defendants including Hirschvogel between April 1, 2006 and April 31, 2018 and the same with forged steel products between October 1, 2002 until December 31, 2016.
What is a forged aluminum or steel product?
A product made of forged steel or aluminum is any product or part made of steel metal or aluminum that is hammered and forced into a certain shape. Forged aluminum or steel products produced by Hirschvogel are found in vehicles and typical forged aluminum and steel car parts include engines, transmissions, axles, and suspension parts, among others.
What are the Settlement details?
Hirschvogel has agreed to pay CDN $2,500,000.00 to settle the claims against it, in the following manner:
- CDN $250,000 for the claims made regarding Forged Aluminum Products in the Aluminum Proceeding; and
- CDN $2,250,000 for the claims made regarding Forged Steel Products in the Steel Proceeding.
The settlement is a resolution of contested claims and Hirschvogel does not admit any liability, wrongdoing or fault.
The Court must approve the settlement before it is final. The Settlement Approval Hearing will be held at 800 Smithe St. Vancouver, BC, on January 28, 2027 at 9:00 am.
What do I have to pay as a Class Member?
You do not have to pay the lawyers working on the Class Actions any money. Counsel for these Class Actions will submit a fee request of up to 25% of the settlement amount, plus disbursements and applicable taxes, for a maximum of $190,000.00 in the Aluminum Proceeding and $673,000.00 in the Steel Proceeding. If approved, these amounts may be paid to the lawyers out of the settlement funds at the time of the fee approval hearing.
How will the settlement funds be distributed?
Class Counsel will request to have held in trust the settlement funds, minus court-approved lawyers' fees, disbursements and applicable taxes for the future benefit of the Class. As the Class Actions remain ongoing and as further recovery may be made with the remaining defendants, the settlement funds will not be distributed at this time. At a future time, the courts will approve a process for the payment of the claims to class members.
Can I opt-out of the Class Actions?
- Opt-Out – If you do NOT want to participate in one, or in both, of these Class Actions, you must opt-out before December 15, 2026.
This is your only opportunity to exclude yourself from these Class Actions, as they remain ongoing against the other defendants.
Can I object to the settlement?
- Objections - If you object to the terms of the settlement, you may communicate your objection before December 15, 2026.
To deliver an objection to the Settlement, provide a written statement containing the reasons of your objection to Class Counsel.
What happens if I do nothing?
If you are a class member and you do nothing, you will be bound by the terms of the settlement if it is approved and your rights will be determined under the ongoing class actions against the other defendant groups. If you do not opt-out by December 15, 2026, you will not be able to bring your own lawsuit against the defendants for the actions that are alleged in this case. You will become part of the settlement class and share any distribution of settlement funds (if any and if entitled). You will also be bound by any future judgments against the Non-Settling Defendants on the issues common to the class.
Where can I get more information?
For more information, a copy of the more detailed Notice, the Settlement Agreement and Opt-Out Forms, please visit Class Counsel's websites dedicated to these Class Actions:
Or contact Class Counsel by calling 1-877-387-0761 or sending an email to [email protected].
SOURCE Slater Vecchio LLP
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