Aftermarket Auto Lights Manufacturer Pleads Guilty to Price-Fixing
The Justice Department has announced that Shiu-Min Hsu, former chairman of a Taiwan aftermarket auto lights manufacturer, has agreed to plead guilty for his participation in an international conspiracy to fix the prices of aftermarket auto lights.
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(Aftermarket auto lights are incorporated into an automobile after its original sale, often as repairs following a collision or as accessories and upgrades.)
Former Chairman Allegedly Conspired to Suppress/Eliminate Competition by Price Fixing
According to a one-count felony charge, Shiu-Min Hsu conspired with others to suppress and eliminate competition by fixing the prices of aftermarket auto lights. Hsu, former chairman of Depo Auto Parts Industrial Co. Ltd., a Taiwan manufacturer of aftermarket auto lights, participated in the conspiracy from as early as April 2000 until about September 3, 2008. According to the plea agreement, Hsu has agreed to cooperate with the department’s investigation.
Participants Agreed to Charge Prices at Certain Predetermined Levels
According to the charge, Hsu and co-conspirators participated in a conspiracy in which the participants met and agreed to charge prices of aftermarket auto lights at certain predetermined levels. According to the court document, the participants in the conspiracy issued price announcements and price lists in accordance with the agreements reached, and collected and exchanged information on prices and sales of aftermarket auto lights for the purpose of monitoring and enforcing adherence to the agreed-upon prices. The conspirators met in Taiwan, the U.S. and elsewhere for their discussions. The plea agreement is subject to court approval.
Hsu is Third Individual Charged in Connection with Auto Lights Investigation
Shiu-Min Hsu is the third individual to be charged in connection with the aftermarket auto lights investigation. i) On February 8, 2011, the Justice Department charged Polo Shu-Sheng Hsu for his participation in the aftermarket auto lights price-fixing conspiracy. (See ITT’s Online Archives 11020929 for summary of Hsu agreeing to pay $25,000 and serve six months in jail for his actions.) ii) On March 22, 2012, Chien Chung Chen pled guilty for his participation in the conspiracy. (See ITT's Online Archives 11032312 for summary.)