Double Coin tire prices to increase

March 1, 2011

Double Coin and China Manufacturers Alliance LLC (CMA) have hiked prices starting March 1 by an average of 13% on Double Coin Holdings’ products.

The price increases apply to the Double Coin radial truck and bus tires, all of its private brand radial truck and bus tires, and Double Coin radial off-the-road tires.

“Rising energy prices affecting raw materials and transportation costs continue to adversely inflict pricing pressures on tire manufactures and marketers,” says Aaron Murphy, vice president of CMA. “Due to these factors, we are initiating a general price increase, with some in-line changes.”

Double Coin tires are supplied by CMA, a subsidiary of Double Coin Holdings Ltd., based in Monrovia, Calif. The company is the latest tire supplier to announce price hikes. Others include:

Consumer

* On May 1, Michelin North America Inc. will be increasing prices on Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal and private and associate passenger and light truck replacement tires sold in the United States by up to 8.5%. :

* Nexen Tire America Inc. will raise tire prices up to 8% effective April 1. The increases will be applied to warehouse orders and April FDC production.

* Hankook Tire America Corp. will increase prices on its full line of passenger and light truck tires by a weighted average of 7%. The increases will go into effect April 1.

* Cooper will raise prices on its light vehicle tires effective March 15. The increases in total will average around 8% to 9%, with in-line adjustments.

* Continental Tire the Americas LLC will raise consumer tire prices in the U.S. up to 6%, with some in-line adjustments, effective April 1.

* Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC will raise replacement and original equipment consumer tire prices one month later, on April 1. The increases on Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand passenger and light truck tires in the U.S. and Canada will vary up to 8%.

Commercial

* Hankook will increase prices on its medium truck tires by a weighted average of 9%. The increases will go into effect on tire shipments made on or after March 15, 2011.

* Titan Tire Corp. will raise prices on its farm and construction tires effective April 1, 2011. The increases, up to 8%, will apply to both Titan branded products and Goodyear branded tires manufactured by Titan. Certain tire prices "may rise in excess of 8% due to realignment and positioning of the product," said the company.

* The Bridgestone Agricultural Tire, U.S. & Canada Commercial Tire Sales division announced a 4% price increase effective April 1 on the following tires: Firestone agricultural, construction and forestry tires; Bridgestone garden tires; and Regency tires sold in the United States and Canadian replacement markets.