Michelin Secures Partial Victory in EU Cartel Case

Michelin has won a partial court victory in its fight against EU cartel dawn raids. The company is a global leader in tire manufacturing and marketing, with a significant presence in Europe, North America, and France. The court ruling is a significant development in Michelin's ongoing legal battle against EU cartel charges.

Michelin has won a partial court victory in its legal battle against EU cartel dawn raids, a significant development in the ongoing investigation. The European Union's General Court annulled part of the EU's decision authorizing the raids, stating that regulators lacked sufficient evidence for an earlier period [1].

The court ruling could potentially reduce the scope of the Commission's investigation and any potential fines. The decision does not specify the exact time period, but it indicates that the Commission's evidence was insufficient for part of the duration of the alleged price fixing. Michelin and the Commission can appeal the decision to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).

Michelin, along with Italy's Pirelli, Germany's Continental, and Finland's Nokian Tyres, was targeted in the raids. The investigation, which began in 2024, is still ongoing and may take years to conclude. Fines for operating a cartel in the EU can reach up to 10% of a company's global annual revenue.

This court decision is part of a growing trend where companies are challenging EU regulators. In February, U.S. chipmaker Nvidia sued regulators over merger powers, and in July, Luxembourg's Brasserie Nationale lost a court challenge against EU scrutiny of its acquisition.

Michelin has argued that the EU competition enforcer lacked justification for the raids. The court partly backed Michelin, stating that the Commission had insufficient evidence for part of the duration of the alleged coordination. This decision may impact the size of potential fines for Michelin and other companies involved in the investigation.

References:
[1] https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com,2025:newsml_L1N3T609P:0-partial-court-victory-for-michelin-in-fight-against-eu-cartel-dawn-raids/