Looking Ahead To Tire Standards

A new era is here for the tire industry to face. Federal legislation on standards are pending—and it seems certain that a minimum standards law will be passed. From what we have learned about the proposed standards, the industry has an excellent opportunity to help, in the final analysis, turn out a law that is both knowledgeable and workable. As initially constituted, $2669 was more political than practical.

It is fortunate that few bills come out of the Congressional mill in the same form that they go in. Too many special interests must be served, and such laws must be made as technically correct as possible.

Fleet operators are watching the political turbulence with hope in their hearts and their hands on their pocketbooks. After all, about one out of every 12 tires made in this country are brought by fleet operators.

A Special Status Report in this issue. It begins on page 20. Because the inspired political controversy over tire and automobile safety is obscuring significant developments in tire performance and improvements, we are presenting, we hope it is helpful in providing a perspective.

From where we sit, the tire industry should capitalize on the events taking place in Washington and in their own plants.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->All media are eager for facts that ordinarily would be turned down as unacceptable publicity. Never before has the industry had such a chance to tell a complete story.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The focus on tire safety just shouts for stepped up promotion and sales programs.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->There’s a unique chance to adjust policies that have led to customer misunderstandings, such as the value of the 2-ply/4-ply-reated tire.

Best of all, there’s the opportunity to mount a sustained educational drive. Back of this drive must be a program that helps every customer easily select tires tailored to specific needs.

Fleet owners who conscientiously seek to know their costs-per-mile, are recognizing that tire buying is becoming more sophisticated than ever before. They realize that now the tire industry is faced with the need to be more specific about tire performance. Our guess is they will be just as interested as any Washington Congressman in what the new minimum standards law will mean to their buying practices and their pocketbooks.

We regret that the political hoopla has obscured the outstanding developments taking place in tire performance and tire safety. We also wish that the tire and automobile industries could have anticipated the need to tell their stories and acted a bit sooner. Now the tire industry is immersed in a situation where political expediency will increasingly affect the progress of the industry.