Warranty claim and production number information that tire manufacturers submit to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as part of the agency's early warning reporting requirements will be kept confidential.
However, claims involving death, personal injury and/or property damage "will not be afforded confidentiality," according to Ann Wilson, senior vice president, government affairs for the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA).
The RMA spearheaded a crusade to keep production numbers secret, believing that disclosures could cause "competitive harm," says Wilson.
