WARREN, Mich. (Aug. 4) — General Motors Corp. has sued Goodyear, accusing the tire maker of halting shipments of original equipment tires and breaching its contract with the auto company because of a pricing dispute.
GM said in its lawsuit the supply interruption threatens the auto maker´s production as well as the opening of its Delta Township, Mich., plant, slated for Aug. 7. The move also threatens other GM factories because Goodyear supplies tires to almost all of its North American assembly plants, the auto maker said. Goodyear supplies more than 8 million tires annually to GM.
GM is seeking an injunction against Goodyear to compel the tire maker to supply products to GM pending resolution of the dispute. GM also is seeking an order to continue working under the existing contracts for their entire terms as well as unspecified damages, legal fees and other costs.
A Goodyear spokesman said the firm had read the complaint though it had not been officially served.
"Goodyear believes that the complaint is unfounded and mischaracterizes the current relationship between Goodyear and General Motors," the tire maker said. "Goodyear is supplying tires to GM on valid contracts. This disagreement is limited in nature, and Goodyear is within its rights relating to all actions taken."