BRUSSELS—European antitrust authorities have conducted "unannounced inspections" at the premises of a consultancy firm in two European countries, related to an ongoing tire price-fixing investigation.
In an Juen 18 statement, the Commission said it had concerns that the company may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices.
The inspections are conducted in the context of a probe launched earlier this year, involving major tire makers: Pirelli, Continental, Michelin, Bridgestone and Nokian Tyres.
Regarding the latest raid, the Commission said it was concerned that "the firm may have facilitated or instigated the suspected price coordination amongst tire manufacturers."
The tire makers have allegedly used "public communications channels to collude."
The Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the relevant national competition authorities of the member states where the inspections were carried out.
Unannounced inspections are a preliminary investigatory step into suspected anticompetitive practices.
