Japanese Company Fined Over $2 Million for Participating in Bid-rigging Conspiracy
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 20, 2014) - Competition Bureau
DENSO Corporation (DENSO), a Japanese supplier of motor vehicle components, pleaded guilty to three counts of bid-rigging under the Competition Act and was fined $2.45 million by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (East Region) for its participation in an international bid-rigging conspiracy.
The evidence shows that DENSO conspired with other Japanese motor vehicle components manufacturers to coordinate their respective responses and to agree on which party would win bids submitted in response to requests for quotations to supply Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. (Toyota) with certain motor vehicle components.
This is the sixth guilty plea arising from the Bureau's investigations involving motor vehicle components, with nearly $52 million in fines imposed by the courts since April 2013.
Quick Facts
Quotes
"Today's guilty plea by DENSO is yet another example of the Bureau's on-going pursuit of criminal behaviour related to the supply of auto parts to Canadian-based automobile manufacturers. The Bureau will continue to pursue those alleged to have committed crimes in relation to the supply of motor vehicle components and in other sectors of the Canadian economy."
Matthew Boswell, Senior Deputy Commissioner of Competition
Related Information
- Presentation: Bid-rigging: Awareness and Prevention
Associated Links
- On February 20, 2014, Panasonic Corporation was fined $4.7 million for rigging bids for certain types of switches and sensors.
- On January 30, 2014, NSK Ltd. was fined $4.5 million for rigging bids for automotive wheel hub unit bearings.
- On July 12, 2013, JTEKT Corporation was fined $5 million for rigging bids for automotive wheel hub unit bearings.
- On April 18, 2013, Yazaki Corporation was fined $30 million for rigging bids for wire harnesses.
- On April 4, 2013, Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. was fined $5 million for rigging bids for electrical boxes.
The Competition Bureau, as an independent law enforcement agency, ensures that Canadian businesses and consumers prosper in a competitive and innovative marketplace.
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