China Manufacturers Alliance (CMA), a tire manufacturer and marketer, formally notified the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) last month of non-compliant sidewall markings on certain Double Coin branded TBR tires produced by Double Coin Holdings LLC.
After a full audit in June 2014, CMA notified NHTSA that certain Double Coin tires omitted the Load Range symbol. As confirmed by NHTSA testing, this non-compliance does not pose any safety or performance issues, said CMA. Furthermore, all Double Coin tires meet FMVSS119 performance and endurance requirements, according to CMA. CMA also noted that all Double Coin tires’ sidewall markings include redundant markings that correspond to Load Range Capacities including Load Index for both single and dual placement, Ply Rating, and Maximum Load Rating with Corresponding Inflation Pressure (single and dual load).
“We have always been committed to servicing our customers and manufacturing quality products,” said Aaron Murphy, vice president of CMA. “The important factor is that the tires meet all safety and endurance standards and are neither defective nor performing poorly. CMA is working with NHTSA and has petitioned NHTSA for an exemption from the recall requirements of the National Highway Traffic Safety Act based on the fact that the non-compliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.”
The Double Coin tires in question were manufactured with DOT dates of 2611 to 2514 and total approximately 1,753,000 units. CMA added that many of the Double Coin tires in the market today do comply with sidewall marking requirements and that there have been no field complaints or adjustments with regard to the non-compliant sidewall markings.
At the time of publication, no further action is required until NHTSA rules on the petition.
“After internal revisions, CMA and Double Coin have placed the additional mark on all sidewalls of Double Coin tires being sold to U.S. based customers,” said Murphy. “Customer satisfaction and governmental compliance are our top priorities.”
