European Commission investigators make unannounced inspection at Continental

The European Commission’s unannounced inspections at European tyre company premises today included Continental. The Hanover, Germany based manufacturer said, “We can confirm that as of today investigations by European antitrust authorities are taking place at Continental in Germany.” A representative added that the company could not comment further on an ongoing investigation. The EC is investigating concerns of price coordination on new replacement tyres for passenger cars, vans, trucks and busses sold in the European Economic Area.

An official statement from the European Commission said it is concerned “that the inspected tyre manufacturing companies may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices.” The purpose of such unannounced and coordinated inspections, taking place across multiple European Union member states, is to investigate and should therefore not be taken as an indicator of guilt.