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Consumer groups are becoming more and more vocal about the lack of governmental involvement with the increasing number of Chinese products that are putting Americans at risk. The pet food recall, the toothpaste recall and now the tire recall are leaving many questioning whether importing Chinese products are such a good idea.

Consumer groups and politicians are blaming the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA) for being too slow to order a recall of defective tires imported from China by Foreign Tire Sales, Inc. (FTS) of New Jersey. The tires allegedly have an insufficient or missing gum strip that helps prevent steel belts inside the tire from separating or damaging the rubber. While most are used as spare tires, the danger to drivers is high as the tires simply fall apart. The NHTSA has now demanded that FTS recall approximately 450,000 tires. However, there’s a problem…

FTS can’t afford the recall

According to the NHTSA, the importer cannot afford to replace all of the tires subject to the recall. The company’s lawyers have told the NHTSA that the company will likely go bankrupt after replacing 10 percent of the tires. Although the company asked for government assistance, none is available. Consumers who own these tires will have to hurry if they want to have their tires replaced. The tires in question were manufactured by the Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Company in China and were sold under at least four brand names Westlake, Compass, Telluride and YKS in these sizes: LT235/75R-15; LT225/75R-16; LT235/85R-16; LT245/75R-16; LT265/75R-16; and LT3X10.5-15. The company has denied that the tires are defective.

Government intervention difficult

Consumer groups, politicians and several state Attorney Generals are calling on the current administration to intervene and hold Chinese companies responsible for the products they ship to the United States. However, that’s easier said than done. The US imports billions of dollars worth of Chinese products every year and there is little that can be done to correct defects with Chinese manufacturers.

Additional information

To contact Foreign Tire Sales, Inc., write to:

Foreign Tire Sales, Inc.
2204 Morris Avenue
Union, NJ 07083

For additional information from the NHTSA, see their website at: www.nhtsa.dot.gov/.