Another airbag manufacturer settles amid, more charges against Takata
Competition authorities have been probing alleged cartel conduct between a number of car safety manufacturers.
The Japanese airbag manufacturer Toyoda Gosei Co. has agreed to pay a fine of R6.1 million after admitting anti-competitive practices.
"Toyoda admitted to charges of price fixing, dividing markets and collusive tendering with its competitors, Takata Corporation (Takata) and Autoliv Inc. (Autoliv)," the Competition Commission said in a statement.
The commission explains the collusion relates to two separate contracts to supply airbags for Toyota's Yaris and Auris models.
The investigation has implicated a number of automotive safety companies, including Autoliv, which has already paid a fine of R150mn after it admitted to "fifteen instances in which it was involved in prohibited practices".
It comes a day after the commission slapped Takata with 17 additional charges, bringing the total number of charges against the company to 21.
The charges relate to the supply of safety equipment to a number of car manufacturers including Volkswagen, BMW and Toyota.
"We are continuing with that prosecution," said the commission's Sipho Ngwema. "Toyoda now and Autoliv will assist us in terms of prosecuting Takata."
Ngwema explains competition authorities have asked the Competition Tribunal to institute the maximum fine - 10% of Takata's annual global turn-over.