Japanese auto suppliers 'face record fines'

China's antitrust regulator is expected to announce penalties for 12 Japanese auto suppliers for collusive conduct as early as Wednesday, according to sources.

This comes as two Japanese auto suppliers disclosed on Tuesday fines imposed on them by the National Development and Reform Commission.

The suppliers are expected to face record fines for several horizontal-pricing agreements - concerted actions and agreements between actual or potential competitors - the most serious type of antitrust conduct, the sources said.