Labaton Sucharow LLP filed the first lawsuit in the country on behalf of a proposed class of indirect purchasers of automotive wire harness systems, as a stand-alone replacement product and/or as a component of a new motor vehicle, from Defendants, the largest suppliers of these products. Automotive wire harness systems are automotive electrical distribution systems used to direct and control electronic components, wiring, and circuit boards in an automotive vehicle.  

The complaint alleges that Defendants participated in a decade-long conspiracy to unlawfully fix the prices charged for automotive wire harness systems sold in the United States between January 1, 2000 and the present. This alleged conspiracy caused inflated prices for automotive wire harness systems and new automobiles. Multiple cases are currently on file in Federal Courts throughout the country. The cases are pending consolidation by the Judicial Panel of Multidistrict Litigation. 

In early October 2011, Defendant Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd. ("Furukawa"), agreed to plead guilty for its role in the conspiracy to fix prices of automotive wire harnesses systems and to pay a fine of $200 million. Additionally, three executives of Furukawa pleaded or have agreed to plead guilty to the conspiracy. The United States Department of Justice's investigation of this worldwide conspiracy continues against additional companies and individuals involved in these unlawful practices.