The German automakers avoid competing with each other in multiple areas, including colluding to limit the size and dispense rate of DEF tanks and collectively c

The German automakers avoid competing with each other in multiple areas, including colluding to limit the size and dispense rate of DEF tanks and collectively claiming to lawmakers that certain emissions regulations would be impractical. I can't find a citation, but I recall seeing an estimate that the German automaker cartel increased prices on the order of $10k per vehicle. I had also read that there is a similar cartel among the automotive suppliers, none of whom seem capable of making a windshield wiper set that isn't hundreds of dollars, or a vehicle lighting below multiple thousands of dollars. “People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices.” -- Adam Smith https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-cartel-collusion-between-germany-s-biggest-carmakers-a-1159471.html https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-cartel-coll...