By Mike Scarcella

Feb 26 (Reuters) - Goodyear, Bridgestone and four other tire manufacturers have persuaded a U.S. judge to dismiss class-action lawsuits accusing them of conspiring to overcharge consumers and businesses in the multibillion-dollar market for replacement tires.

U.S. Chief District Judge Sara Lioi in an order on Tuesday in the Akron, Ohio, federal court rejected price-fixing claims against the tire companies, which also included Continental, Michelin, Nokian and Pirelli. Lioi said the plaintiffs had not adequately alleged a conspiracy to fix prices and increase profits.

Three groups of buyers, including automobile dealerships and other consumer purchasers, alleged in lawsuits filed last year that the companies conspired during the COVID-19 pandemic to fix prices of replacement tires in the United States.

Goodyear, Bridgestone and the other tiremakers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Attorneys for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to similar requests.

The companies had denied any wrongdoing.

The lawsuits were filed after European Union antitrust investigators announced inspections at some of the tiremakers’ non-U.S. offices.

The tire companies had urged the court not to place any weight in the European investigation, which they said had not led to any enforcement proceedings or other penalties.

Lioi in her ruling said the plaintiffs had not sufficiently linked alleged conduct in Europe to sales and pricing practices in the United States.

The judge also said the “plaintiffs have not plausibly alleged that the price increases were irrational or against defendants’ economic self-interest absent prior agreement."

Lioi said the plaintiffs could seek to file amended lawsuits by March 25.

The case is In re: Passenger Vehicle Replacement Tires Antitrust Litigation, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, No. 5:24-md-03107-SL.

Read more:

Goodyear, other tire makers slam 'far fetched' price-fixing lawsuits

Top tire makers are sued in US over alleged price fixing