In their words, Bridgestone/Firestone’s recent 8% price hike is a “good indication that the oligopoly is working.” The market watchers continued: “Prices are, paradoxically, a good protection on margins.” Assuming that only 50% of these price increases are being sustained within the market, this would allow the manufacturers to offset a 12% synthetic rubber or natural rubber price increase, according to Deutsche Bank. (Tyres & Accessories/Staffordshire, U.K.)