NEW YORK — The FBI raided the U.S. offices of three auto suppliers as part of an antitrust investigation, the agency said Wednesday.
The FBI’s Detroit office said agents raided the offices of Denso Corp., Yazaki North America and Tokai Rika. All the raids took place Tuesday evening.
Justice Department spokeswoman Gina Talamona said the department is conducting an investigation of automotive electronics suppliers.
It was unclear whether other companies were involved in the investigation.
“The antitrust division is investigating the possibility of anti-competitive cartel conduct,” Talamona said in a statement. “We are coordinating with the European Commission and other foreign-competition authorities.”
Denso spokeswoman Julie Kerr says the search of the company’s office — which oversees Denso’s operations in North and South America and is located in Southfield, Mich. — took place Tuesday. She declined to offer details of the investigation but said it is unrelated to Toyota’s recent recalls.
A person familiar with the antitrust investigation said it involves possible discussions among the parts suppliers, not the safety of the parts themselves. The source spoke on condition of anonymity to be able to discuss the matter more fully.
Toyota is Denso’s biggest customer and is one of two suppliers of its gas pedals. The Associated Press
