NHTSA has proposed that automakers install ESC systems in all vehicles by the 2012 model year. The rule would be phased in over four years, requiring 30% of vehicles to have electronic stability control by the 2009 model year, 60% by 2010 and 90% by 2011.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is urging NHTSA to adopt a more aggressive timeline.

The current deadline to submit comments is Nov. 17.

Tire dealers should contact Stuart Gosswein, SEMA director of government affairs, at 202-783-6007, ext. 30.

Dealers should send comments and real-world concerns to Gosswein so that SEMA can make a formal proposal to NHTSA regarding ESC. Comments should be directed at the potential impact of this future mandate. It could prohibit consumers from having a choice in the types of products they can install on their vehicles.

At its Annual Meeting this week in Las Vegas, the Tire Industry Association passed a resolution to limit the impact of ESC regulations on vehicle servicing.