The "largest antitrust criminal case in history" targets "mostly Japanese auto parts makers".

Huge job losses, loss of market share and what critics say is an unfair playing field has dealt a crippling blow to a trademark Ohio industry. But experts say a wave of federal prosecutions of price-fixing and bid-rigging involving mostly Japanese auto parts makers is raising the promise of new jobs for American manufacturers and a more competitive parts market. Since 2010, 48 people have been charged in the ongoing investigation, tapped by the Justice Department as the largest antitrust criminal case in history.

Michael Stumo, CEO of the Coalition for a Prosperous America, an advocate for the domestic auto parts industry, said the prosecutions vindicate longstanding industry complaints about such practices. “It goes to show we can make auto parts competitively in the U.S. if not for market-rigging and price-fixing,” Stumo said. “When you have price-fixing, it’s harming our economy. Our members could employ more people if we had a free market and could eliminate cheating.”



Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, an outspoken critic of trade law enforcement, said the prosecutions send the right message.

“From currency manipulation to trade agreements to antitrust laws, we must ensure that Ohio companies and workers are on a level playing field,” he said. “One in every eight Ohio jobs is connected to the auto industry and we’ve seen the damage done to our state’s economy when that sector is weak.”

http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/news/national/probe-holds-promise-for-ohio-jobs/njRLZ/?source=ddn_skip_stub#294ee0f4.3612138.735581

Not surprisingly, there is no mention of any anti-trust prosecutions in the auto parts industry during the Bush administration.