Background on the Situation
• Record demand: Fire truck orders spiked sharply after the pandemic (e.g., 45% industry-wide in 2022 vs. prior averages), partly due to pent-up need from older fleets. 
• Supply issues: Manufacturers cite supply chain problems, labor shortages, and component delays (chips, axles, etc.), leading to extended lead times.
• Company position: Oshkosh/Pierce has highlighted investments in U.S. production capacity, higher pricing to improve margins, and efforts to meet demand. 
• The cases have been centralized in federal court in Wisconsin. 
This quote is a standard corporate defense statement used across multiple news reports covering the lawsuits (which emerged in late 2025 and continued into 2026). It directly addresses criticism of high prices and slow deliveries by pivoting to safety, quality, domestic reinvestment, and strong market demand