Investigations by the European Commission and US antitrust authorities have raised suspicions of price-fixing among the world’s largest tyre manufacturers: Continental, Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Pirelli and Nokian Tyres.
The allegations cover the period from 2016 to early 2024 and concern tyres for trucks, buses, vans, cars and construction machinery. The European Commission has already launched a formal antitrust investigation, which is now at an advanced stage. By 2026, the manufacturers could face multimillion-euro fines of up to 10% of their global annual turnover.
Some companies — notably Pirelli and Nokian — say they are cooperating with the authorities, a move that could signal attempts to benefit from leniency programmes for whistleblowers.
ELVIS and Best Speakers prepare lawsuits
Industry groups are actively stepping in on behalf of customers. The European Network of International Forwarders (ELVIS), together with its subsidiary Gefos and the law firm Arnecke Sibeth Dabelstein (ASD), is preparing a class action for its members.
At the same time, Best Speakers Cartel Consulting — an advisory firm with long-standing expertise in cartel and competition law — is collecting purchase invoices from late 2024 onwards and helping businesses assemble the documentation that will be crucial in compensation claims.
“All hauliers should keep every tyre purchase invoice dating back to 2016,” stressed Nikolja Grabowski, president of ELVIS, in comments to dvz.de. “This documentation is the most important evidence in court.”
Who can claim compensation?
According to Best Speakers Cartel Consulting, all customers who purchased tyres from the manufacturers under investigation between 2016 and 2025 may be entitled to compensation, provided they can present invoices as proof of purchase.
Those eligible include:
- hauliers and fleet operators
- leasing and vehicle rental companies
- workshops and tyre distributors
- farmers and construction firms
How much could be recovered?
Advisory estimates suggest that overpayments averaged 10–15% of the purchase price.
For example, a fleet of 10 tractor units with trailers (around 120 tyres) could have overpaid as much as €9,000 for one replacement cycle — plus interest.
Risk-free compensation
Both ELVIS and Best Speakers Cartel Consulting are working with established law firms and litigation funding partners. This means affected businesses do not bear any upfront costs or legal risks.
Court and legal expenses are covered by third-party financiers, who instead take a commission from any awarded compensation.
This arrangement ensures that hauliers of all sizes can pursue claims, even if they lack an in-house legal department or legal protection insurance.
