Bob Bissler

Senior Editor

Bob Bissler is Modern Tire Dealer's senior editor. He began his interest in the automotive industry as a teenager helping his brother work on drag race cars, and after high school he worked in his other brother's body shop.

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Mike Manges

Senior Editor

Mike Manges is Modern Tire Dealer's senior editor. He is a three-time International Automotive Media Association award winner and holds a Gold Award from the Association of Automotive Publication Editors. He also edits MTD's acclaimed Commercial Tire Dealer section, as well as The Kovach Tire Report, MTD's sister publication. Mike has traveled the world -- including Asia, Europe and North America -- in pursuit of stories.

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Fiat is back, but will small tires follow? Maybe

By: Mike Manges

Chrysler's plan to reintroduce Fiat to the U.S. later this year may put us one step closer to a small passenger tire renaissance -- or maybe not.

I first touched upon this in February 2009 ("Ready for the return of 13- and 14-inch tires?").

Last month, Chrysler officials said they have identified 119 markets in the U.S. that enjoy strong small car registrations and exhibit "growth potential in the small car segment over the next five years."

The company is accepting Fiat franchise proposals through Sept. 22 and will announce franchises in October.

"The requirements for Fiat are straightforward: separate sales and display at launch (and) transitioning to full dealership facility as the volume grows," says Peter Grady, Chrysler's vice president of network development.

Certainly not every small car rides on 13- or 14-inch tires. And it remains to be seen, of course, if Amercian car buyers will rush out to purchase the Fiat 500. But if they do, and a lot of Fiats go into circulation, those vehicles eventually will need replacement tires. The same goes for other auto manufacturers' small vehicles.

It's something to keep in mind when you order tires in the future.

Related Topics: Chrysler Group, Passenger tires, Retail

comments

1. Neal | September 08, 2010 at 06:28AM
   From an engineering standpoint the lighter unsprung weight of a 13 or 14 inch tire/wheel package makes a lot of sense for improving a vehicle's handling and fuel efficiency.

2. Spencer | September 10, 2010 at 07:08AM
   the world was a much better place with 13 inch tires. Bring them back!