May 05, 2008
Industry Braces for More Tire Price Increases
AKRON, OH – No fewer than 10 tiremakers recently have raised or will raise their tire prices as a result of escalating raw material, energy, and transportation costs, according to Modern Tire Dealer magazine. Three companies — Groupe Michelin, Federal Corp., and Nexen Tire America Inc. — raised prices on April 1.
Michelin increased prices on its original equipment passenger and light truck tires sold worldwide. Federal hiked prices on all of its tires produced in Taiwan and China, including a five-percent increase for its Federal and Hero brand tires. Nexen raised prices by seven percent across the board.
Kumho Tire U.S.A. Inc. and Yokohama Tire Corp. will enact price increases in May. Kumho will raise tire prices up to 10 percent, depending on tire line and model on May 1. Yokohama will raise its OTR tire prices up to five percent and its medium truck tire prices up to six percent, with in-line adjustments to be determined later.
June 1 will see Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC (BFNT), Bridgestone Canada Inc., Falken Tire Corp., Pirelli Tire North America, and Titan International Inc. implement price hikes. BFNT and Bridgestone Canada will raise their passenger, light truck, truck, bus, farm, and OTR tire prices up to 10 percent on that day. Hikes will affect the companies' replacement, OE, and export channels.
Falken will raise prices on eight different tires, including the Falken Ziex ZE912 60/65 (5%); the Falken Ziex ZE912 UHP (5%); the Falken Radial A/P (7%); the Falken Landair H/T (7%); the Falken STZ-01 (up to 6%); the Falken STZ-04 (up to 6%); the Falken RT-615 (5% to 8%); and the Falken FK-452 (up to 5%).
Pirelli will raise prices on its passenger and light truck tires sold in the U.S. up to five percent. Titan will raise prices on its replacement Titan, Goodyear and General brand OTR, farm and construction tires; increases will range from 4% to 35%, according to Titan officials.
On July 1, Michelin will boost its North American Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, private, and associate brand passenger and light truck tire prices up to eight percent. Michelin also will increase prices on its earthmover and industrial tires up to eight percent, effective July 1.