Michelin North America Inc. and Michelin Retread Technologies Inc. (MRTI) have added Bridgestone/Firestone (BFS) Inc. as a defendant in their pending lawsuit against Bandag Inc.
Michelin accuses BFS of joining forces with Bandag to "delay or block" the French tiremaker "from competing in the retreading market" and "inducing dealers not to adopt the MRTI system."
Bandag originally sued Michelin in September 1999 for "inducing...dealers to breach or not renew their agreements with Bandag and convert to Michelin," misappropriating trade secrets, engaging in predatory pricing and other activities designed "to destroy (Bandag) as a competitive force" in the United States.
Michelin added BFS to the lawsuit on Jan. 23, but announced the decision today.
