General Motors Corp. (GM) plans to reduce its total number of United States plants by 28% from now until the end of 2010.
At the same time, GM will reduced its number of nameplates to 34, down from 48 nameplates in 2008. The action will include the elimination of the company's Pontiac brand.
These actions will have an impact on those tire manufacturers who supply original equipment product to GM.
Who are GM's biggest tire suppliers? According to Modern Tire Dealer research, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. supplies 38% of GM's light vehicles in the U.S. and Canada via its Goodyear brand.
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC supplies 31% with its Bridgestone brand comprising 18% and its Firestone brand making up 13%.
Continental Tire North America Inc. enjoys a total of 14% market share; its Continental brand makes up 8%, while its General brand comprises 6% of that amount.
Meanwhile, Michelin North America Inc. supplies 10% of GM light vehicles in the U.S. and Canada (6% for its Michelin brand, 3% for its BFGoodrich brand and 1% for its Uniroyal brand).
Rounding out the list are Hankook Tire America Corp. at 5% and Pirelli Tire North America at 2%.
