TIA accepts comments in response to NHTSA proposed rules.
Press Release Summary:
In response to NHTSA Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Tire Fuel Efficiency Consumer Information Program, TIA points out that poster or pamphlet should be just component of campaign. The organization proposes to bridge communication gap between salesperson and consumer by training tire sellers and enacting public outreach campaign. Under NHTSA's supervision and advisement, TIA program will use current training models used to educate technicians on maintenance/diagnostic techniques.
Original Press Release:
TIA Announces Submission of Comments in Response to NHTSA Tire Fuel Efficiency Proposed Rules
Reiterates Belief They Are Best Entity To Run Program
Bowie, MD - The Tire Industry Association (TIA) today announced that they have submitted comments in response to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for a Tire Fuel Efficiency Consumer Information Program. As one of the world's leading authorities on tires and wheels, TIA believes they are the best entity to run this program.
In the comments, TIA points out that:
While NHTSA's NPRM focuses on an point-of-sale poster to educate consumers about tire fuel efficiency ratings, TIA contends that, based on TIA's experience representing tire retailers, a poster or pamphlet should be a component, but not the core feature of the campaign;
The Notice does not even mention the dialogue between the salesperson and the consumer as a viable means of education. TIA proposes to bridge this "communication gap" by embarking on a comprehensive course of training to tire sellers, in addition to a massive public outreach campaign in order to keep tire maintenance in consumers' minds;
TIA has a strong, established history of working with the tire manufacturers and other automotive aftermarket groups to develop a consensus on educational efforts; and
Under NHTSA's direct supervision and advisement, TIA would create and implement a program to engage the consumer in person-to-person education from a trained sales force, based on its current training models which are used to educate tire technicians on a variety of maintenance and diagnostic techniques.
"TIA has the history, resources and expertise to make this important consumer education effort a success. We also have a history of working together with many different aftermarket organizations - not to mention the tire manufacturers - to formulate a successful consumer education effort. TIA and its members know consumers and how to reach them. We have the know-how and a long track record of working with, and being supported by the relevant industry representatives. And, we are fully confident that, given this overwhelming evidence, TIA remains the best organization to administer this effort," said TIA Executive Vice President Roy Littlefield.
The deadline for comments is today. After today, NHTSA will have a period of time to review all of the comments before publishing a response in the Federal Register.
About TIA:
TIA is an international association representing all segments of the tire industry, including those that manufacture, repair, recycle, sell, service or use new or retreaded tires, and also those suppliers or individuals who furnish equipment, material or services to the industry. The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has a history that spans more than 80 years and includes several name changes. Originally known as the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association (NTDRA), the organization gave birth over the years to the American Retreaders Association (ARA) and the Tire Association of North America (TANA). ARA changed its name to the International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA) and merged with TANA in 2002 to form the current Tire Industry Association (TIA), which now represents every interest in the tire industry.
PRESS CONTACT: Roy Littlefield, 301.430.7280
