The allegations centre on Japanese company Yazaki and its subsidiary Australian Arrow, formerly known as Yazaki Australia, a supplier of the harnesses that hold all the wiring that runs around the Toyota Camry.
The company has been accused by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) of engaging in cartel behaviour when providing quotes to Toyota for wire harnesses, according to reports in the Sydney Morning Herald.
It has also been alleged that between 2003 and 2009 Yazaki and Australian Arrow colluded on “their responses to requests for quotations issued by Toyota Motor Corporation for the supply of wire harnesses” and that Yazaki and an un-named competitor would agree on prices before submitting quotations.
Rod Sims, chair of the ACCC said: “Cartel conduct is inherently anti-competitive and potentially impacts Australian consumers by ultimately raising the cost of products they purchase.”
A court date has been set for 10 January 2013.
