Did you or your company purchase replacement tires directly from any of these manufacturers?

• CONTINENTAL
• MICHELIN
• NOKIAN TYRES
• GOODYEAR
• PIRELLI
• BRIDGESTONE

On January 30, 2024, the European Commission (“EU”) issued a press release regarding an antitrust investigation concerning replacement tires. The press release states, in part:

The European Commission is carrying out unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the tyres industry in several Member States.

The Commission has concerns that the inspected companies may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices (Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union).

The products concerned by the inspections are new replacement tyres for passenger cars, vans, trucks and busses sold in the European Economic Area. The Commission is concerned that price coordination took place amongst the inspected companies, including via public communications.

“The Commission is concerned that price coordination took place amongst the inspected companies, including via public communications,” the EU executive explained in a statement.

Major tire manufacturers including, Michelin, Bridgestone Corp, Continental AG, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Pirelli & C. SpA and Nokian Renkaat Oyj all confirmed that their offices were raided as part of the EU investigation.

If you or your company paid for replacement tires directly from any of the companies listed above at any time after January 1, 2020, you may have been overcharged and may be entitled to recover financial damages as well as potentially a court approved service award, if appropriate, at no cost to you.

If you would like to learn more about this matter, you are encouraged to contact Joshua H. Grabar at jgrabar@grabarlaw.com, or call 267-507-6085.

A copy of a retainer letter for this matter can be viewed here: Replacement Tire - Antitrust Retainer Letter