“Our Business Policy is Impeccable” – Michelin

Michelin has responded to an article published by newspaper Le Figaro, which stated France’s competition council was looking into a case of market abuse involving the tyre maker. On August 14 the company stated that its behaviour has been “impeccable” and that it does not dominate the French market.

“We have not heard of any new dispute. We believe our business policy is impeccable. Michelin has an important market position in France, but not a dominant one,” a Michelin spokeswoman told Reuters.

According to the Le Figaro article, Michelin informed its distributors at the end of 2007 that it would no longer offer commercial advantages to those linked directly or indirectly to a rival tyre maker. French distributor Vulco, a Goodyear subsidiary, complained to the General Directorate for Fair Trading, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF), a unit of the Ministry of Finance.