SUWANEE, Ga. (July 21)—General Motors Corp. has signed a supply agreement with Maxxis International Inc., pushing the Taiwanese tire maker into the full-size original equipment realm in North America.
With the multiyear agreement, Maxxis will supply its Maxxis-brand light truck tire, size LT 225/75R16, to a GM vehicle starting in the third quarter of 2006.
Taiwan-based Maxxis International—also known as Cheng Shin Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd.—said the contract gives it increased recognition as a mainstream tire supplier in the global market.
Maxxis already supplies tires to Shanghai General Motors Co. Ltd. in China. It also supplies GM, Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. in Asia, as well as supplying minispares to Ford in North America.
Maxxis' North American distribution arm is based in Suwanee.