As if things weren’t already shaky between Toyota and the U.S. government, the FBI stepped in yesterday and raided the U.S. headquarters of three Japan-based automotive suppliers, all of them with ties to Toyota. Officials said that the suppliers were searched by FBI agents Tuesday in connection with an international anti-trust investigation.
“The anti-trust division is investigating the possibility of anti-competitive cartel conduct of automotive electronic components suppliers,” said Gina Talamona, deputy director of public affairs for the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. “We are coordinating with the European Commission and other foreign competition authorities.”
Talamona declined to comment further on the investigation.
Toyota spokeswoman Cindy Knight told The Wall Street Journal that the company is trying to determine why the FBI is investigating the three suppliers.
Toyota released a short statement saying:
The Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division is conducting an investigation of certain automotive electronic suppliers. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA) has not been asked for information in connection with the investigation, but will cooperate if asked.
- By: Omar Rana
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)
Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20100224/OEM01/302249933/1128#ixzz0gXFv8RJY
