A recently introduced bill by Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown has been making waves in the last weeks. Indeed, the Democrat has proposed a bold idea that could help residents of his state, both manufacturers and buyers alike. The politician, from a region well-known for its many tire factories, has put forward a plan that could offer a tax credit of up to 30% of the cost of replacing the tread on retreaded tires. Of course, Ohio is far from here, and such a bill is not yet under consideration in our country, but nothing stops us from dreaming!
Combining Economy and Ecology
Indeed, according to Senator Brown, there is reason to dream. As the local market is increasingly occupied by cheap products, often from China, this bill could help keep jobs in the tire sector. These products are far from bad and are very effective when it comes to driving confidently for a few seasons. However, when it comes time to replace the tread, the lower quality of these tires can make the task difficult. In the United States, consumers are half as likely to retread cheap tires compared to well-known premium brands.
The consequences would therefore not be simply economic but also ecological. By offering a tax credit on retreaded tires, the senator hopes to revive the high-end tire market, preferably American. This would have the effect of protecting local jobs but also reducing the environmental impact associated with buying new tires. Obviously, this news has been warmly welcomed by Ohio manufacturers, the most well-known of which is undoubtedly Goodyear.
Commercial Fleets First
Besides individuals, it is mainly transport companies or those operating large fleets that are targeted by this bill. This is quite normal since the time and money savings are multiplied as the number of vehicles increases. Instead of paying for the full procedure, these companies could benefit from a cheaper and potentially more effective retreaded tire than a new low-end tire.
Of course, it's not all rosy. Critics accuse Brown of undermining Asian companies while they mostly offer perfectly adequate and safe products. Some even go so far as to say that this increase in the number of retreaded tires could contribute to an increase in accidents related to tire failures. Although Goodyear has indicated it is in favor of this new bill, the repercussions on the company could be more negative than expected as fewer and fewer motorists might turn to the new tire market.
Personally, I find it hard to form an opinion on the matter, but I believe that a balance between quality and ecology must be achieved. It remains to be seen if such a project could take shape in Canada! Would you like to see this type of tax credit arrive here?
