FBI raids offices of Toyota supplier, 2 more auto-part makers

CHICAGO: The Federal Bureau of Investigation has raided offices of three Japanese auto-part makers in Detroit as part of investigation into an anti-competitive cartel.

The offices of Denso Corp, which is a Toyota Motor Corp supplier, Yazaki North America and Tokai Rika were raided Tuesday evening.

"The antitrust division is investigating the possibility of anticompetitive cartel conduct," Justice Department spokeswoman Gina Talamona said in a statement. "We are coordinating with the European Commission and other foreign competition authorities," she added.

A Denso spokesperson said search of the company's Michigan office, which oversees Denso's operations in North and South America, was based on allegations of violations of antitrust laws.

"We are fully cooperating with the investigation," the Wall Street Journal quoted the spokesperson as saying. She added that the investigation was not linked to Toyota's recent recalls.

Toyota spokeswoman Cindy Knight said the company is trying to determine why the FBI is investigating Denso, Yazaki and Tokai Rika. "Toyota is aware that certain suppliers have been contacted by government officials, but we have limited information about the scope of the investigation," Knight said.