This spring you will get a chance to tell the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration what you think of its plan to rank tires according to their fuel efficiency. I urge you to make the most of it.

After endless gloomy reports about the economy, here comes a tire dealer, Walt Dealtrey Jr., with some good news.

You read it here first: The new Chrysler-Fiat alliance will lead to the return of 13- and 14-inch tires. (OK, I admit that's a bit of a stretch. I mean, who stocks 13- and 14-inch tires anymore?)

Japan may be the second largest exporter of tires to the U.S., but when it comes to tire technology and its obsession with automobiles -- plus history, culture and the legendary hospitality of its people -- nothing about this island nation is second-rate.

This just in! All OE and replacement tires in Europe may be required to come with a standardized label listing data about rolling resistance, noise levels and braking performance.

Just when you think things are slowing down in our industry, along comes a trade show bursting at the seams with new tires.

Everywhere you turn, companies in almost every industry are talking about finding alternatives to using oil in the production of their products. Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. is "saying it with flowers."

It's a rare independent tire dealer who doesn't have at least one or two pieces of tire industry-related memorabilia in his or her office.

When all of the numbers are tallied, 2008 will turn out to be a rough year for tire shipments, particularly in the medium truck tire category.