ITC Finds ‘Reasonable Indication’ of Damage from China Imports
It appears now that the fast-tracked USW complaint against imported China-made consumer tires has picked up even more speed. This morning the U.S. International Trade Commission announced that its investigation has found “reasonable indication that an industry in the United States is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports from China
Report: ATD Shopping for New Owner
A new report by the Wall Street Journal late yesterday says that American Tire Dealers is being shopped to other private equity firms and could bring “more than $3 billion.” Citing “people familiar with the matter,” the WSJ said that ATD has been “quietly running an auction for the company, with second-round bids due in
Canadian Tire Caution, Goodyear-to-Akron Reconsidered
Dear Canadian Tire CEO Stephen Wetmore: Speaking as a part Canadian, I must ask you, beg you, plead with you to NOT offer up your wonderful company for acquisition by a U.S. firm. Any U.S. company. And wash your mouth out with soap for speaking such blasphemy. I’m not sure what you feel are the
Update: No New Deadline Set in Cooper-Chengshan Ownership Deal
Given the relationship of the parties over the last 12 months, the announcement yesterday that Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. and Chengshan Group Co. need a little more time to sort out ownership of their joint venture plant could not be termed a surprise. Aug. 11 was the stated deadline the parties established back in
Bridgestone Americas Monitoring Ebola Situation in Liberia
The outbreak of highly dangerous Ebola virus in West African countries has gain much international attention, and it is now directly impacting the tire industry. The area of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone is the focal point of the disease, for which there is currently no vaccine, no specific treatment and a fatality rate of
Putin Searches for His Tires While Quebec Takes a Stance
A couple of palate cleansers before we hit the weekend…. Laughed my head off at a report in the Moscow Times (yes, that Moscow) that parties unknown made off with 215 tires from the Kremlin motor pool. The tires, valued at 1.2 million rubles or around $35,000, went missing from the automobile department warehouse last
Goodyear Comments Offer Clue to How Tiremakers See Tariff Threat
There have been no real public comments made by major tire players with regards to the USW petition for higher tariffs on imported China-made consumer tires, so it’s been hard to gauge attitudes and plans among tiremakers. But in yesterday’s investor earnings call, Goodyear chairman and CEO Rick Kramer and executive vice president and CFO
Taylor Talks About Today, Looks at Future
Morry Taylor says he’s not going to take another shot at winning the White House, but he’s coy about specific plans post retirement. “I’m going to have fun,” he says, “I’ll put some money up and have a good blast.” The 69-year-old chairman and CEO of Titan International Inc. is coy about very few things.
Talking to Myself About Those Missing Labels
Speaking of unfinished business, didn’t TIA say it was high time that NHTSA finally issue that Congressionally mandated tire fuel efficiency testing, labeling and consumer education program? Didn’t they scream that it was taking too long? A: Well, “scream” is probably the wrong word here, but yes, they did suggest that point. Back in 2011.
The New Protectionism: Consumers Getting Rick-Rolled by The 0.0076%
I don’t get it. I don’t understand it. I don’t like it. And neither should anyone working in this industry. But in yet another tragic case of the tiny, stubby tail wagging the big dog, the USW – all 24,500 (or so) tire plant-working members – are dictating the terms and conditions under which millions
Decoding NHTSA’s Tire Aging Report
“At this time, the agency does not believe it is necessary for motor vehicle safety to add a tire aging requirement to its light vehicle tire standard due to the following reasons: First, FMVSS No. 139 has contributed to an increased robustness of oven-aged light vehicle tires. Our research has shown that oven-aged FMVSS No.
NHTSA Won’t Push Tire Aging Regulations
NHTSA has decided that it will not tackle the issue of tire aging, turning its attention instead to “coordinating a promotional and educational initiative to raise consumer awareness about tire aging issues and how to prevent these types of failures.” The agency, which said it has been investigating for the impact of age on tires
