In an organized gathering of retailers, no one is allowed to broach the subject of pricing. There are laws against discussing that topic in such a setting.
However, questioning tire dealers about pricing on the Global Tire Expo trade show floor during the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas is allowed. And that is just what Modern Tire Dealer Editor Bob Ulrich did recently.
From Nov. 3 through Nov. 6, he talked with some of the largest and smallest independent tire dealers in the country about how the tire tariffs on consumer tire imports from China have affected tire pricing. He also talked with tire manufacturers and exhibitors about it.
What they had to say may surprise you. It certainly surprised Ulrich.
To find out how very high tariffs affected low-cost radial pricing -- and, by extension, good-better-best pricing -- check out his latest blog, "How Tire Tariffs on Chinese Imports Have Affected Pricing."
How have the tariffs affected tire pricing in your area? Are low-cost radials not-so low cost? Have Tier 1 and 2 tire manufacturers raised their prices?
Read the blog, then let us know what you think by leaving a comment!
