Fires, Sneakers, Gas Prices and Leo’s Issues
Some random thoughts on a snowy, bitterly cold day in Akron. • 2009 will surely go down as the Year of the Fire. By my count, we reported on 19 separate tire store/warehouse fires last year – more than any single year in memory. Some were accidents, as investigations showed. Some were arsons set by
WTO Agrees to Hear China Tire Tariff Complaint
News reports from Geneva say that the World Trade Organization will now launch a formal investigation into the Obama Administration’s imposition of a three-year added tariff on imported China-made consumer tires. The first meeting in the investigation is supposed to occur on Jan. 19, according to reports. Reports say that it could take as long
Cooper to Increase China Sales to 30%
Reports indicate Cooper Tire & Rubber wishes to increase the share of its global sales generated in China from 25% to 30% in the next three years "That’s our minimum target,” said Allen Tsaur, general manager for Cooper’s Asia operations during an interview with Reuters. “The Chinese domestic market is explosive and the pie is
Despite Tariff, China’s Sailun Continues U.S. Bid
In a bid to find out what how one of the nation’s more modern tire manufacturers has been fairing since the U.S.’s introduction of a 35% added tariff, Tyres & Accessories interviewed Chinese tiremaker Sailun Tire. Surprisingly, the company plans to continue selling a similar number of tires into the U.S., despite the hefty new
Missed Communications?: TIA Government Relations Efforts Plain, But Perhaps Not Seen
It is difficult to express the disappointment I feel in regard to the recent letter to the editor from Alpio Barbara (TR, October 2009) concerning TIA and its government relations activities. He questioned our activities on a number of important legislative issues, and I’d like to take this opportunity to present to him – and
SEMA Show Wrap Up
At its annual meeting, TIA placed special attention on repealing recently enacted tariffs on imported China-made passenger tires and on getting a seat at the table when it comes to a new consumer education offering. TIA members approved two resolutions aimed at those issues. The first states that TIA “will strive to be a significant
Drinkin’ The Koolaid
Aren’t they just so cool when they believe their own press? The AFL-CIO (certainly encouraged by the USW) posted this beauty on its AFL-CIO Now Blog yesterday: Tire Industry Jobs Returning After Obama Enforces Trade Laws Less than three months after President Obama enforced U.S. trade law and provided relief to the domestic tire industry
Tyrepress.com Breaks the 10,000 Barrier
Tyres & Accessories’ Tyrepress.com is celebrating the fact that more than 10,500 individual tire industry e-mail addresses now receive its e-newsletter. The collection of industry news and analysis, produced by the experienced and award-nominated team at Tyres & Accessories and sent every working day, has seen the number of email subscribers virtually double from 5,750
Indonesian Maker Looks to Fill U.S. Market Void
Indonesian tiremaker PT Gajah Tunngal is hoping to take advantage of increased U.S. tariffs on China-made consumer tires. The Jakarta Globe reports company director Catherine Widjaja as saying, “We are looking to see if we can fill the void left after the U.S. hiked import tariffs on Chinese tires.” The 35% additional tariff has made
China Knocking on the Door at 2010 Brityrex
The introduction of tariffs and other protective measures in the U.S. has to an extent closed the door to affordable Chinese tires there, and this is good news to European consumers with an interest in value for money. Many Chinese companies have identified this opportunity to further develop their businesses in the U.K., and a