Goodyear US starts winter tyre promotions

Akron, Ohio -- Goodyear tire has started promoting winter tyres into the North American market for this year.

The company suggests consumers often wait until "Groundhog Day" before fitting winter tyres, and attempts to tell tham that this is not a good strategy.

In a press release, Goodyear says, "Andy Traicoff, director of Dunlop marketing in North America, said dealers began receiving winter tire shipments in August when most were enjoying beach weather. Production started in the spring."

The company continues, "In Europe, tiremakers suggest switching from summer to winter tire treads when the mercury falls below 44 degrees F (7 degrees C). Traicoff said that's a good rule of thumb: wait for freezing temperatures to buy winter tires and it's too late."

The release adds, "More than 35 million winter tires are sold per year in the European market, accounting for 25 percent of the total passenger car market," further quoting Traicoff: "The popularity of [sporty European] cars in America also makes the need for winter tires critical, particularly when vehicles arrive here on summer tires,"