Hitachi Astemo, KYB shock absorbers antitrust $6M class action settlement

Hitachi Astemo and KYB agreed to pay a combined $6 million class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims they worked with other auto parts manufacturers to fix the price of shock absorbers.

The settlement benefits individuals and entities who purchased shock absorbers directly from Hitachi Astemo and/or KYB between Jan. 1, 1995, and Sept. 18, 2021.

Several companies, including Hitachi Astemo and KYB, are accused of conspiring to fix the prices of automotive parts in violation of federal antitrust laws. The two companies are specifically accused of fixing the prices of shock absorbers, part of the suspension systems in vehicles. 

Hitachi Astemo is an automotive parts manufacturer based in Japan. KYB is a shocks and struts manufacturer that does business around the world, including in North America. 

Hitachi Astemo and KYB haven’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to a $6 million settlement to resolve the shock absorbers antitrust class action lawsuit. Hitachi Astemo will contribute $2.5 million while KYB will pay $3.5 million. These settlements are the latest in a series of settlements in the antitrust multidistrict litigation. 

Under the terms of the settlement, direct purchasers can receive a cash payment based on the amount they paid in documented shock absorber purchases. Exact distribution details are not available at this time.

The exclusion deadline was May 1, 2023.

The final approval hearing for the shock absorbers settlement is scheduled for June 8, 2023.

In order to receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by June 22, 2023.

Who’s Eligible

Individuals and entities who purchased shock absorbers directly from Hitachi Astemo and/or KYB between Jan. 1, 1995, and Sept. 18, 2021

Potential Award

TBD

Proof of Purchase

Documentation of shock absorber purchases

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

06/22/2023

Case Name

In re: Automotive Parts Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 2:12-md-02311, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan 

Final Hearing

06/08/2023

Settlement Website

AutoPartsAntitrustLitigation.com

Claims Administrator

Shock Absorbers Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
P.O. Box 3170
Portland, OR 97208-3170
877-393-1069

Class Counsel

Steven A Kanner
FREED KANNER LONDON & MILLEN LLC

Joseph C Kohn
KOHN SWIFT & GRAF PC

Gregory P Hansel
PRETI FLAHERTY BELIVEAU & PACHIOS LLP

William G Caldes
SPECTOR ROSEMAN & KODROFF PC

Defense Counsel

Kendall Millard
Bradley Love
Alexander Barnstead
BARNES & THORNBURG LLP

Craig P Seebald
Alden L Atkins
VINSON & ELKINS LLP

Clayton Everett Jr
MORGAN LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP