Motorists across the United States may still have a chance to collect $100 from a $1.2 billion settlement fund, even though the official filing deadline has passed.
Recently, many drivers have reported receiving emails notifying them of eligibility for a payment from an auto parts settlement. While such emails often raise concerns of scams, the messages have been confirmed as legitimate, according to Atlanta-based news outlet 11Alive. Vehicle owners are being encouraged to claim what is rightfully theirs.
The email reportedly states:
“Pursuant to the Court-approved Round 4 Plan of Allocation and Round 5 Plan of Allocation in the matter entitled In Re: Automotive Parts Antitrust Litigation, Lead Case No. 12-md-02311, you are eligible to receive a payment of $100.00.”
This payment stems from a series of class action lawsuits that accused auto parts manufacturers of price-fixing. Although the manufacturers denied wrongdoing, they agreed to settle.
Who Is Eligible?
While the claims deadline has passed, individuals who purchased or leased a qualifying new vehicle in the U.S. (not for resale) or paid to replace qualifying vehicle parts between 2002 and 2018 were eligible to participate.
According to the official settlement website, the payments being distributed now are part of the fourth and fifth rounds of the settlement. The fourth round of settlements was approved in September 2020, while the fifth round received approval in February 2023. These settlements were overseen by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division.
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Robins Kaplan, LLP, one of the co-lead counsel firms, explained:
“This multidistrict litigation has lasted for more than 12 years and stems from the largest criminal antitrust investigation in U.S. history, encompassing over 40 separate actions against more than 160 defendants.”
Additional Updates for Drivers
In related news, New York City residents facing new congestion fees can take advantage of free credit from rideshare app Lyft. Starting January 5, most vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street are charged $9, with an additional $1.50 surcharge for rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. To offset this fee, Lyft has introduced a program offering users $1.50 in credit for future rides, which can also be applied to Citi Bike rentals.
Meanwhile, Minnesota has seen overwhelming demand for its new “blackout” license plates. Featuring a minimalist design with white letters on a black background, the plates have already been adopted by more than 256,000 vehicles since their launch on January 1, 2024—far exceeding the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services Division’s initial forecast of 160,000 for the year.
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