WASHINGTON (July 10) — Buyers of Chinese intermodal tires are turning up their noses at tires that don´t meet federal regulations for sidewall markings, although the tires are perfectly safe and meet or exceed all federal safety standards, according to importers of the tires.
To stress that the tires shouldn´t be used on steer axles, Chinese manufacturers removed the single load carrying designation and added the words, "FOR DUAL TRAILER USE ONLY," on the sidewalls.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said a recall was unnecessary, but also declined to issue a notice that the mislabeling had no bearing on safety, said Munroe Mariner, president of China Manufacturers Alliance L.L.C. in Pocomoke, Md.
"Some people are using this as a means to avoid payment, or to leverage a deal to buy the tires at way under market price," Mariner said.