Truck and bus maker Navistar International Corp. has OK'd Chinese-made Double Coin radial truck tires for use on some of the trucks and school buses it makes.
The tires, made by Shanghai Tyre & Rubber Co. Ltd. and destined for use on International Truck vehicles and IC Corp. school buses, met the quality standards and affordable cost required by Navistar, said Tom Akers, vice president of purchase and logistics for Navistar's International Truck & Engine Corp. business unit.
"The global tire shortage has affected many truck companies and, ultimately, truck customers," he said.
International is using Double Coin tires on several Class 4-8 truck platforms. The tires already are being fitted to some trucks and are part of the truck maker's specification package for customers.
Double Coin truck tires long have been a standard fitment at many of China's truck and bus makers and hold a strong market share in the growing Asian replacement market, said Larry Williams, CEO of China Manufacturers Alliance L.L.C. of Monrovia, which has represented the brand in North America since 1997.
"The position at International Truck and IC Corp. will enhance the presence of Double Coin tires throughout North America," Williams said. He noted International cited Double Coin's warranty coverage and retreadability as factors in its decision.
CMA said it has 950 service points throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
CMA has been working on the contract for more than 10 years, according to Aaron Murphy, CMA first vice president who worked with Navistar to get the approval. He said CMA probably will have to establish some sort of stocking point near Navistar's vehicle assembly points in Springfield, Ohio, and Dallas to satisfy the truck and bus maker's just-in-time delivery demands.
This is the second time in less than a year that Navistar has gone offshore to source tires for its vehicles. Last year it approved six different Hankook radial truck tires as OE for its International 4000 series tractors, CF medium-duty trucks and IC buses.
This story was written by Bruce Davis, Tire Business staff