The Tire Industry Association (TIA) "remains concerned that snow and specialty tires are included" in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's recently announced final tire testing standards, according to TIA Director of Government Affairs Becky MacDicken.
"We fear that many specialty and snow tires will not be able to pass these tests and therefore will remove these tires from the marketplace."
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced more stringent tire testing requirements in the areas of high speed/endurance, low inflation pressure performance, and applicability last week.
The requirements apply to all radial tires used on passenger cars, multi-purpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses and trailers that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less and have been manufactured after 1975.
They also apply to new cars, multi-purpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses and trailers under 10,000 pounds.
"TIA is pleased with the fact that bias-ply tires and retreads are exempt from the final testing rule."
The association also "commends NHTSA for postponing regulatory action on the aging, bead unseating and road hazard impact tests until further studies can be conducted," says MacDicken.
All vehicle and tire manufacturers must comply with the revised standards by 2007.
