The head of the former Private Brand Tire Group now is working as an independent agent for several importers, including Eurotyre USA Inc., a U.S. distributor of Marangoni passenger and light truck tires.
Don Dominguez, a consultant with Import Associates L.L.C., said he has been selling the Marangoni brand for four independent tire dealerships to about a year and is calling on Florida car dealers to see if they would be interested in selling the brand in the replacement market.
``Marangoni brand would be a natural fit for car dealers because it's got a lot of good European sizes and Asian sizes,'' Mr. Dominguez told Tire Business. ``It's dynamite in terms of quality.''
Car dealers participating in General Motors Corp.'s Goodwrench or Ford Motor Co.'s Around-the-Wheel replacement tire programs are lacking a European brand, Mr. Dominguez said. Hence, he said he is meeting with car dealers to see if Marangoni will fit in with their brand lineups.
Mr. Dominguez also is offering the Leao and Emtrac commercial tire lines. About two years ago, he had announced the upcoming availability of Chinese-made Winland medium truck tires, but at the last minute that deal fell through, he said.