Market Dynamics
Michelin tires recall for rapid air loss and tread loss
Time: 2014-01-10 Source from: www.associatednews.com
Michelin is a tire manufacturer based in Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne region of France. The Tire-maker recently recalled about 1.2 million tires sold in the U.S. because an increasing number were experiencing tread loss or rapid air loss, so the tire tread could separate, leading to rapid air loss, which may result in loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.
The tires are commonly used for pickup trucks, heavy-duty vans, small RVs and commercial light trucks. The Greenville, S.C-based Company said that no deaths or injuries have been reported because of the tires.
The tires, known as Michelin LTX M/S tires, were manufactured between January 2010 and June 2012. They were sold as original equipment on some vehicles and as new replacement tires. The company said that fewer than 200 of the tires have been returned by customers. Owners can have them replaced at Michelin stores for no charge.
Owners can call Michelin Consumer Care from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) Monday through Friday or 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays at 800-231-5893, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov for more info. Michelin will begin notifying owners on Jan. 6, and Michelin dealers will replace the tires for free.
Michelin participated in MotoGP from 1972 to 2008. They introduced radial construction to MotoGP in 1984 and multi-compound tires in 1994. They achieved 360 victories in 36 years, and from 1993 to 2006, the world championship had gone to a rider on Michelins.