Overview of the auto parts bid‑rigging investigation

From April 2013 to October 2018, the Bureau’s auto parts bid‑rigging investigation resulted in 13 guilty pleas and more than $86 million in fines, including several of the largest bid‑rigging fines ever imposed by the courts in Canada.

The Bureau began investigating in December 2009 after it learned of anticompetitive activity in the auto parts industry by way of its Immunity Program. The investigation also benefitted from the cooperation of a number of companies under the Bureau’s Leniency Program.

The investigation related to a series of international conspiracies and bid‑rigging agreements among various auto parts suppliers. The parts were used in vehicles manufactured and sold in Canada and elsewhere. The Bureau cooperated closely with its international counterparts throughout its investigations to ensure that the participants were brought to justice and paid for their crimes.

Timeline of events
DateCompanyMotor vehicle componentFine
April 4, 2013FurukawaElectrical boxes$5 million
April 18, 2013Yazaki CorporationWire harnesses$30 million: largest fine imposed by a court in Canada for a bid‑rigging offence
July 12, 2013JTEKT CorporationAutomotive wheel hub unit bearings$5 million
January 30, 2014NSK Ltd.Automotive wheel hub unit bearings$4.5 million
February 20, 2014PanasonicSwitches and sensors$4.7 million
August 20, 2014DENSO CorporationBody electronic control units$2.45 million
December 11, 2014Yamashita Rubber Co.Anti‑vibration components and systems$4.5 million
December 9, 2015Toyo TireAnti‑vibration components and systems$1.7 million
April 1, 2016Showa CorporationElectric power steering gears$13 million
July 20, 2016Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.Body sealing productsUS$130 million: Fine imposed by U.S. court addresses anticompetitive conduct in both the U.S. and Canada.
April 25, 2017Mitsubishi Electric CorporationSupply of alternators and ignition coils$13.4 million: second largest fine imposed by a court in Canada for a bid‑rigging offence
December 13, 2017 NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd. Spark plugs $550,000
October 19, 2018. INOAC Corporation Plastic panel products $1.3 million