Antitrust Suit Challenges Auto Auctioneers

SAN FRANCISCO (CN) – Auto Auction Services Corp. conspired to restrict competition by demanding outrageous fees of $6.6 million for access to its Auto IMS electronic inventory system, Copart claims in a federal antitrust complaint.     Copart demands treble damages in this complaint which names only Auto Auction Services Corp. as a defendant. Copart claims AASC conspired with Manheim Auctions, ADESA and two affiliates, and the National Auto Auction Association, to restrain competition and arranging an illegal group boycott.     “The illegal conduct alleged herein affects the resale of used vehicle through vehicle auctions, which involve the resale of million of vehicles, with a transaction value of billions of dollars, each year.”