EU Fine For Michelin
The European Commission has fined Michelin 19.89 million Euro for “abusing its dominant position” in the French heavy vehicle replacement tyre market from 1990 to 1998. In a statement, the EC said that “Michelin’s complex system of quantitative rebates, bonuses and other commercial practices illegally tied dealers and foreclosed the French market to other tyre manufacturers.” This applied to both new and retreaded tyres and the Commission took a serious view of events, as it said that this was the second time that Michelin had engaged in such anti-competitive behaviour in Europe.