agent Entrepreneur logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

FBI Raids Toyota Supplier Denso's Southfield Office in Antitrust Probe

February 25, 2010
2 min to read


The FBI raided the U.S. offices of three auto suppliers to Toyota and other manufacturers as part of an antitrust investigation, the agency told The Associated Press. 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. There was no immediate indication the investigation involved the safety of the auto parts. Justice Department spokeswoman Gina Talamona said the department is conducting an investigation of automotive electronics suppliers. It was unclear if other companies were involved in the investigation. "The antitrust division is investigating the possibility of anticompetitive 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 on Tuesday. She declined to offer details of the investigation but said it is unrelated to Toyota's recent recalls. Yazaki spokeswoman Shefali Cromer said FBI agents searched its U.S. headquarters in Canton, Mich., as well as offices in Lexington, Ky., and Columbus, Ohio. Cromer, whose company makes electronics for several automakers, said the officials reviewed documents, but she was unaware of the nature of the investigation. Tokai Rika spokesman Joe Rine also confirmed a raid and said the company would be cooperating. "We haven't done anything wrong. We'll supply them with all the information," said Joe Rine, a local spokesman for Tokia Rika, which makes interior components for Toyota, Ford Motor Co., General Motors Co. and Nissan Motor Co. A person familiar with the antitrust investigation said it involves possible discussions among the parts suppliers, not the safety of the parts themselves. This person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to be able to speak more fully about the matter. Toyota is Denso's biggest customer and is one of two suppliers of its gas pedals. While gas pedals from the other supplier, CTS Corp., were involved in Toyota's sticky-accelerator recall, Denso's have not been implicated. Toyota said in a statement that it was aware of the raids but has little information about the investigation. Toyota said it has not been contacted by authorities.

More Industry

The outside of a blue Gregg Young Chevrolet dealership.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•October 22, 2026

Nebraska Rooftop Changes Hands

The Gregg Young Automotive Group has sold its second dealership to Janssen Auto Group, both in Plattsmouth, Neb.

Read More →
Two white men's shaking hands
Industry•October 15, 2026

Penske Auto Group Deal a Record

The deal to take the dealership and transportation services company private sets a new pace for industry buy-sell transactions.

Read More →
Rows of cars parked in exterior lot
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•October 8, 2026

War Toll a Damper on Used Auto Prices

Cox Automotive found wholesale depreciation to be elevated in September amid high fuel prices and this year's unusual hurricane season.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Mechanic cleaning interior of engine
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•October 8, 2026

Bridge the Maintenance Gap

With many drivers missing recommended maintenance, service departments offering transparency and efficiency have a better chance of reaching financially strained consumers.

Read More →
Ford F-150 truck rounding a curve
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•October 1, 2026

California Store Has New Owner

The longtime dealership in the northern part of the state is known for robust fleet sales and has served the state capital for 115 years.

Read More →
crane lowering a pipeline into the ground
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•October 1, 2026

BMW Plant Pursues Cleaner Energy

BMW Group Plant Leipzig has utilized hydrogen to help power its production since 2013, but a new pipeline is planned to take it to another level.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Two dodge cars outside of dealership.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•September 17, 2026

Auto Affordability Inches Up

The latest Cox Automotive and Moody’s Analytics index shows a slight increase in new-vehicle affordability despite high prices.

Read More →
Five men smiling for photo in front of Honda car dealership.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•September 10, 2026

Ohio Auto Group Under New Ownership

After 79 years with the Schluter family, Mansfield Auto Group has been acquired by Missouri-based Clement Auto Group.

Read More →
Blue and white RV parked on beach facing the ocean.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•September 3, 2026

RV Group Expands Carolina Footprint

Blue Compass RV Columbia Northeast is the 13th RV dealership owned by Blue Compass in the Carolinas.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of two men and one woman on a discussion panel
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•September 1, 2026

Agent Acumen

An Agent Summit panel of people who’ve been supporting auto dealers for years gave both timely and timeless advice for those starting out or mulling the prospect.

Read More →
Ad Loading...