DETROIT (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice has announced Omron Automotive Electronics Co. Ltd agreed to a $4.55 million fine for allegedly conspiring to rig bids on power window switches in Honda Civics sold to U.S. consumers.
“Omron and its co-conspirators targeted the Honda Civic, one of the best-selling cars in the United States, to benefit themselves at the expense of Honda Civic owners,” said assistant attorney general Bill Baer of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Our investigation will continue to hold accountable companies and executives across the auto parts industry who chose to conspire rather than compete.”
From 2003 to 2013, Omron allegedly conspired with another manufacturer to rig bids on power switches sold to Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
Omron is one of 39 companies involved in an ongoing Department of Justice case. The department has secured $2.6 billion in fines so far.