CMA extends Double Coin warranty coverage

NEW ORLEANS — China Manufacturers Alliance L.L.C. has extended the casing warranty coverage on its Double Coin-brand medium truck radials to seven years and up to three retreadings in an attempt to influence more retreaders and truckers to give the Chinese brand a try.

The new warranty, in place since January, compares with five years and two retreadings previously, according to CMA Vice President Walt Weller, speaking at the North American Tire & Retread Expo in New Orleans.

The extended warranty coverage is on par with those offered by the leading international tire makers, Mr. Weller said, and reflects CMA's belief that its casings stack up to the best in the industry.

CMA, the Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.-based subsidiary of China's Double Coin Holdings Ltd., based its decision to extend the warranty coverage on studying eight years of collective data on nearly 5 million tires sold in North America, Mr. Weller said.

By extending the warranty, he continued, CMA hopes to persuade retreaders that have opted to not retread any Chinese casings because of the stigma attached to problems with lower quality casings as well as to influence fleets using the Double Coin brand to include the brand in their retreading strategy as well.

The new warranty applies to all Double Coin radial medium truck tires sold in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Central Mexico, Mr. Weller said.

Shanghai Huayi (Group) Co., Double Coin's holding company, expects to start production of tires later this year at its newest factory, in Rayong, Thailand, which eventually will be a source of tires for North America as well, Mr. Weller added.