BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Pirelli, Continental, Michelin and other tire makers have come under fire from the EU antitrust authority as part of an investigation into a possible price cartel.

The EU Commission, acting as the European Union's competition watchdog, announced that it had carried out unannounced inspections at the headquarters of companies active in the tire industry in several member states to assess possible violations of EU antitrust rules. As usual, no further details were provided in the Commission's note.

"Pirelli informs, in confirming the correctness of its actions and that it has always acted in full compliance with all rules and regulations, that it is providing full support to the Authority in the ongoing investigations," a Pirelli spokesperson told Reuters.

Competitors Continental and Michelin also said they were involved in the investigation.

Pirelli's stock lost as much as 3.8 percent before recovering most of its losses by the close. Michelin touched -2.9 percent and Continental -3.5 percent and have since rebounded somewhat.

The products affected by the inspections are new replacement tires for passenger cars, vans, trucks and buses sold in the European Economic Area.

The Commission is concerned about price coordination among the inspected companies, including through public communications.

Companies found guilty of violating EU antitrust rules risk fines of up to 10 percent of revenues globally.

In recent years, the Commission has fined nearly a dozen cartels in the automotive industry, including suppliers of car bearings, car seats, brake systems, and even a cartel restricting competition in countering emissions for new diesel cars.

(Francesca Piscioneri, editing Claudia Cristoferi)