Germany’s Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) has imposed fines totalling €11.9 million on Maxxis International GmbH, Best4Tires Berlin GmbH, Reifen Müller GmbH & Co. KG and one individual for engaging in illegal vertical price-fixing in the wholesale distribution of Maxxis and CST tyres.
Pricing Freedom
The authority found that, from 2015/16 onwards, Maxxis entered into margin guarantee agreements with tyre wholesalers that effectively restricted their pricing freedom in Germany. The agreements guaranteed distributors a minimum profit margin while discouraging them from competing aggressively on price, particularly on the Tyre24 online marketplace.
The Bundeskartellamt also found that Maxxis operated a price monitoring system based on recommended resale prices, closely tracking market prices and intervening when selling prices fell below its expectations.
“Vertical price-fixing agreements tend to put consumers at a disadvantage as they often lead to excessive prices,” said Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt.
The investigation began after a tyre wholesaler disclosed the arrangements and cooperated with the authority. Maxxis terminated the remaining agreements and its price monitoring system in July 2024. The fines are not yet final and may be appealed before the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court.
