It's Oval Time for Tire Makers
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©Entire Contents Copyright 2019 by Crain Communications Inc. All rights reserved. January 21, 2019 THE TIRE DEALER’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1983 $79 per year, $4 per copy Trump proposing law to revamp tariff imposition By Miles Moore Senior Washington Reporter WASHINGTON — Industry of cials are waiting to see the details of a Trump administration draft bill that would change substantially the way tar- iffs are imposed on foreign goods. The “United States Reciprocal Trade Act” would give the president power to instigate line-by-line tariff increases on goods imported by countries that he determines have raised tariff or non-tariff barriers on U.S. products. President Trump was expected to propose the Michelin employees mount and legislation Jan. 29 during his State of the Union balance race tires track side. Michelin North America photo address. However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Jan. 16 letter to President Trump, proposing that the State of the Union address be postponed until after the partial government shutdown has ended, It’s oval time for tire makers puts this in doubt. Of cials of associations representing the tire Michelin, Goodyear put products to test in big early-season races industry and auto aftermarket said they had heard about the draft bill, but had not yet polled their By Nancy Dunham “The heart of why we’re competing with to motorsports. When motorsport tires fail, members for their opinions. Tire Business Correspondent the International Motor Sports Association that’s international news. Problems that rac- However, they agreed that the tariffs placed (IMSA) series, which is essentially endurance ers have had with tires at major racing events by the Trump administration last year on im- DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Long before NBC racing series, is because it drives technology on catch the attention of millions around the ported steel, imported aluminum and some $200 Sports clinched the deal to televise live our consumer products,” Mr. Payne said. “That world. See Trade, page 23 coverage of the 57th Rolex 24 from Day- means we produce better tires for the street. That type of failure can create a major pub- tona International Speedway on Jan. 26-27, “You have to do that because you need lic relations challenge that impacts any aspect Kenneth Payne and his team planned, test- a durable tire in structure, and it has to be of the tire business, especially consumer sales. ed and prepped to ensure the approximately very reliable and consistent in performance. In short, the stakes for manufacturers of Big O dealer buys 8 13,000 tires Michelin provides for that race It has to have a very good wear life, which motorsport tires go way beyond the races. are as close to perfect as possible. feeds back into consistent performance.” Michelin's journey to producing up to NTB stores in Texas Mr. Payne, motorsports technical direc- In short, supplying tires to motorsport events 35,000 tires for the 2019 IMSA season tor of Michelin North America Inc., and his challenges engineers and other tire specialists began as soon as IMSA announced in Sep- SAN ANTONIO — Big O Tires franchisee Chris Mon- team aren’t alone. His competitors at Good- to perfect tire performance that directly trans- tember 2017 that Michelin North America teverde has acquired eight NTB Tire & Service year, Bridgestone Americas Inc. and other lates to enhanced safety and fuel economy and would be the designated race tire suppli- Center stores in Texas from TBC Corp. and is con- manufacturers that supply to motorsports highlights the brand. It also creates plentiful er for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar verting them to Big O signage. are providing the same level of scrutiny to marketing and sales opportunities. Championship and its two major challenge Mr. Monteverde, a Big O Tires franchisee since the racing tires they provide. But there’s a downside to supplying tires See Michelin , page 19 2004, also owns and operates 19 Big O Tires locations in California. The deal covers NASCAR/ARCA integration raises tire issue six NTB stores in the San Antonio metro area and two By Bruce Davis Americas’ General brand and Goodyear, re- in the Corpus Christi mar- Tire Business Staff spectively. NASCAR reportedly is negotiating ket, TBC said. a solution to the two-supplier dilemma. Financial terms of the deal DOVER, Del. — NASCAR plans to integrate its While the two series for late-model stock cars were not disclosed. TBC con- second-tier late-model stock-car series — the will continue to operate as separate entities for tinues to operate 100 NTB existing K&N Pro Series and the ARCA Rac- the 2019 season, they will operate under a new stores in Texas, primarily in ing Series it purchased in 2018 — starting in competition framework in 2020 with a model the Dallas and Houston met- 2020, a move that will give drivers the oppor- designed to preserve both series’ historic short- ro markets. Monteverde tunity to compete for four championships. track lineage, NASCAR said. “The opportunity to expand our portfolio with- The plan also likely will mean a change in The new format will give drivers the oppor- in the Big O brand and have a chance to do busi- tire suppliers for either the ARCA or K&N se- tunity to compete for four championships — ness in the great state of Texas was one that we ries, currently supplied by Continental Tire the See ARCA , page 19 didn’t think twice about,” Mr. Monteverde said. “We’re excited about the future and eager to con- tinue exceeding customer expectations in Cali- fornia as we make a name for ourselves in Texas.” SEMA-backed legislation still in holding pattern .................................14 Hercules to supply tires, support for off-road racing team ................16 Mr. Monteverde was honored twice last year by IndyCar series is renamed with Cooper as presenting sponsor .........14 A look at who competes in what ..........................................................16 Big O Tires franchisor TBC and the International Hankook to supply tires for open-wheel circuits .................................15 Pirelli extends GT racing deals .............................................................18 See Acquisition, page 23 INSIDE DEPARTMENTS Automotive Service ....................8-9 Robbins develops sealing system for Titan’s partners in Russian JV seeking Classifieds ...................................21 Editorials .......................................6 retread market ..................................... 3 to exit the venture ..................................4 On the Move ................................20 Goodyear blimp to become honorary Strong December sales push U.S. vehicle Get up-to-date information at the member of College Football Hall .......3 sales above 17M units in 2018. ......... 5 Tire Business website http://www.tirebusiness.com ALL NEW All-season tire for luxury cars and luxury sports cars. LUXURY SPORT PERFORMANCE 23% Longer Wear1 1 10% improvement in Wet Traction1 50% Reduction 1 in Road Noise 2 Quick View Indicators 1 Visual Alignment Indicators 2 Tuned Performance Indicators UTQG Treadwear Traction Temperature 700 A A Rim Diameter Aspect Ratio Speed Rating 16“ - 20“ 40 - 60 H and V 1. Compared to Continental PureContact™ VISIT CONTINENTALTIRE.COM FOR COMPLETE DETAILS. Visit us on the web at www.tirebusiness.com TIRE BUSINESS, January 21, 2019 • 3 Robbins develops sealing system for retread market By Don Detore will save time in the shop for the re- al rings used with traditional, sin- Tire Business Staff placement process,” Mr. Sandberg gle-piece rubber sealing rings. said recently. “In addition to that, “Installing the Accu-Fit sealing MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. — Robbins they will save landll because they ring base and insert is extremely easy L.L.C. has developed a rubber seal- will have less rubber waste that they with minimal effort,” Mr. Sandberg ing ring system for the retread mar- need to landll. So they are saving said. ket that company ofcials say will the environment and landll costs.” Robbins, which has manufactured allow shops to save money Mr. Sandberg added envelopes, curing tubes, retreading and time. that the system reduces accessories and rubber compounds The Accu-Fit Sealing the risk of a potential mis- since it was founded in 1921, said it Goodyear photo Goodyear Ring System comes in two cure, “which can happen expects the insert to outperform ex- The Goodyear Blimp at the Orange Bowl in Miami on Jan. 1, 1962. parts: the sealing ring base if they don’t replace the isting sealing rings in terms of num- and the sealing ring insert. sealing ring in time and ber of cures. When wear-indicator By having a separate base allow the bead to go at bands show replacement is suggest- College Hall to honor and insert, company offi- and potentially slipping ed, the user replaces the insert with cials said, users will save off the tire.” a new insert. Mr. Sandberg said an money by needing to re- According to the com- insert should last between 400 and place only the actual part of Sandberg pany, the patent-pending 600 cures. blimp with induction the sealing ring that is worn. insert is easy to install on envelopes, Users save money not only be- Hugo Sandberg, director of sales easy to handle and is outtted with cause the inserts are priced lower, AKRON — The National Football Foun- The Goodyear Blimp was the rst ve- and marketing for Robbins, a sub- a wear indicator that shows the user Mr. Sandberg said, but also will dation (NFF) and College Football hicle to provide aerial coverage of a ma- sidiary of Malmo, Sweden-based when to replace the insert. have saved money versus buying Hall of Fame will induct the Goodyear jor sports event and the rst to deliver Hexpol A.B., said the system could The product, manufactured at two regular rings. Blimp as an honorary member of the high denition live video to a national cut users’ expenses in this eld by Robbins’ facility in Muscle Shoals, Testing for the sealing-ring system hall of fame, making the blimp the rst sports game.