Competition Authority Orders Investigation into 17 Companies in Automotive Tire Production and Distribution Sector
The Competition Authority has completed its preliminary investigation into businesses operating in the tire production and distribution sector within the automotive industry and has decided to initiate an investigation against 17 companies.
The decision stated: "With the decision numbered 24-12/230-M dated 07.03.2024 of the Competition Authority (Authority), it has been decided to carry out a preliminary investigation regarding the allegation of violation of Law No. 4054 on the Protection of Competition due to the exchange of sensitive competitive information among competitors, anti-competitive agreements among competitors, the determination of resale prices by dealers, regional and customer sharing among dealers, exclusivity agreements with dealers, and allegations regarding non-competition obligations imposed on dealers.
During the preliminary investigation process, the information and documents obtained, along with the examinations conducted, indicated serious and sufficient suspicions of restricted competition concerning the following businesses operating as producers and distributors/dealers in the automotive tire sector:
- Brisa Bridgestone Sabancı Tire Industry and Trade Inc. (IS:BRISA),
- Michelin Tires Trade Inc. (EPA:MICP),
- Automotive Tires Distribution Inc.,
- Abdulkadir Özcan Automotive Tire Industry Trade Inc.,
- Pirelli Automotive Tires Inc.,
- Prometeon Turkey Industrial and Commercial Tires Inc.,
- Goodyear Tires (IS:GOODY) Turkish Inc.,
- Hankook Tires Inc.,
- Özcanlar Tire Industry and Trade Ltd. Co.,
- Kardeşler Transportation Rim Motor Vehicle Service Trade Ltd. Co.,
- Aydın Tire Sales Service Ltd. Co.,
- Abdullah Özdoğan Commerce Automotive Oil Construction Machinery Industry Import Export Trade Ltd. Co.,
- Prolas Automotive Transportation Hardware Industry and Trade Ltd. Co.,
- Modül Tire Automotive Trade Joint Stock Company,
- Cengizler Auto Tire Marketing Construction Tourism Transportation Textile Import and Export Industry Trade Limited Company,
- Gürlas Auto Tire Industry Trade Ltd. Co.,
- Tatko Tire Industry and Trade Inc.
With the decision numbered 24-49/1091-M dated 21.11.2024, it has been decided to open an investigation in accordance with Article 41 of the same Law to determine whether these businesses have violated Article 4 of Law No. 4054."