Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber News
  • European Rubber Journal
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • Current Issue
  • BEST PLACES TO WORK
  • News
    • HUMANITARIAN
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
    • OBITUARIES
    • OPINION
    • MID YEAR REPORT
    • SERVICE ZONE
  • ADAS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Custom
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
  • Resources
    • Events
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • SHOP FLOOR
    • AWARDS
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Best Places to Work
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
February 04, 2002 01:00 AM

BFS maintains OE market share in '01

Bruce Davis
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    Bridgestone/Firestone's well-publicized split with Ford Motor Co. last year did not affect the company's original equipment presence as much as might have been expected.

    Although Bridgestone/Firestone told Ford in May it was ending all supply relations with the auto maker, the Nashville, Tenn.-based tire maker continued to fulfill contracts until Ford made other arrangements. As a result, BFS's share of Ford's North American passenger and light truck business slipped about 10 percentage points, to an estimated 30 percent, with Goodyear, Michelin North America Inc. and Continental Tire North America Inc. each picking up a few points of share with Ford.

    It remains to be seen whether talks between BFS and Ford officials about a reconciliation bear fruit, and salvage at least a portion of the company's business with North America's No. 2 car maker. BFS's business with Ford last year represented roughly 6 million tires.

    Overall, though, BFS's OE presence was barely affected, as it picked up increased business with other car makers, most notably with Toyota Motor Manufacturing Co. Inc. For 2001, BFS's North American OE share is estimated at 24 percent, vs. 27 percent in 2000.

    For decades, Goodyear has been the No. 1 supplier of original equipment tires to North American vehicle makers, and 2001 was no exception, supplying an estimated 37 percent of the tires for the 15.8 million cars and light trucks built in the U.S., Canada and Mexico last year.

    However, 2003 or 2004, may be another story. The company recently acknowledged it would consider letting certain low or no profit contracts lapse, giving up 7 to 10 percentage points of market share ``unless it gets price relief from unprofitable tire lines.''

    Besides Goodyear and BFS, Michelin is on par with the latter at 24 percent with Continental claiming the remaining 15 percent, primarily with its General brand. Yokohama Tire Corp. also supplies a few selected models, but its share is less than 1 percent.

    On the replacement front, the fallout from the Firestone recalls cost the Firestone brand a couple of points of passenger tire market share, down to about 6 percent of the combined U.S. and Canadian markets. Compensating to a degree, however, was a 1-point gain by the Bridgestone brand, to an estimated 5 percent. Both the Goodyear and Michelin brands picked up a point of share, to 17 and 10 percent, respectively.

    All market shares are estimates by Tire Business based on interviews with automotive and tire industry sources.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Tire Discounters grows again, adds Skip Cottrell's
    2
    Icahn-owned Auto Plus files for Chapter 11 protection
    3
    Truck sector leads U.S. tire market; consumer down
    4
    K&M welcomes dealers to annual conference in Vegas
    5
    Black's Tire Service holds leadership conference
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    Reader Services
    • Staff
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • BEST PLACES TO WORK
    • News
      • HUMANITARIAN
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
      • OBITUARIES
      • OPINION
      • MID YEAR REPORT
      • SERVICE ZONE
    • ADAS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Custom
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Resources
      • Events
        • ASK THE EXPERT
        • LIVESTREAMS
        • WEBINARS
        • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
        • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • SHOP FLOOR
        • BALANCING
        • DEMOUNTING
        • SAFETY
        • TIRE REPAIR
        • TPMS
        • TRAINING
        • VEHICLE LIFTING
        • WHEEL TORQUE
      • AWARDS
        • Best Places to Work
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION