Nearly 25% of last year's imports were from China, says NHTSA

"Of tires imported in 2006, 23% were imported from China, making China the leading country of origin for imported tires," says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). "In 2000, Chinese tires were just 6% of imported tires."

The rise in Chinese tire imports reflects the overall increase in imported tires, according to the agency.

"Ten years ago, imports constituted just 19% of total tire sales." Last year, according to NHTSA, they comprised some 46%.

Last week, Nicole Nason, a NHTSA administrator, testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation regarding the safety of consumer products imported from China.