{"id":1023503,"date":"2026-08-25T17:18:44","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T17:18:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1023503\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T17:18:44","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T17:18:44","slug":"tire-manufacturer-says-new-california-rules-will-increase-prices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1023503\/","title":{"rendered":"Tire manufacturer says new California rules will increase prices"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the largest tire producers in the world has torn into Gavin Newsom\u2019s new tire regulations<\/a> and warned they will cause price increases and destroy the market.<\/p>\n

At a length press conference Monday, Dunlop Tires\u2019 North America President and CEO Darren Thomas said the cost of manufacturing will spike \u2014 which will be passed on to customers.<\/p>\n

He also raised concerns about safety, durability and environmental hazards sparked by the governor\u2019s new rules.<\/p>\n

Dunlop Tires executives speak out against California\u2019s new tire regulations during a press conference on Monday in Southern California. KCRA<\/p>\n

The California Energy Commission\u00a0last week approved plans <\/a>that will phase out the sale of replacement tires <\/a>that do not meet energy-efficiency standards \u2014 potentially wiping out 70% of all those on the market.<\/p>\n

The regulations target a tire\u2019s \u201crolling resistance,\u201d or how much energy it takes to keep a tire moving down the road.<\/p>\n

Lower resistance means cars use less gas or electricity and get better mileage, which Democrats have argued will help make driving more affordable.<\/p>\n

But according to the Tire Industry Association, average tire prices are likely to increase from $81 to up to $157. <\/p>\n

If someone purchased four new tires for his or her car, the difference could exceed $300 per vehicle.<\/p>\n

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Dunlop Tire executives said California drivers can already save money and improve tire performance simply by keeping their tires properly inflated. Newport Coast Media \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n

\u201cWill prices increase? You bet they\u2019ll increase<\/a>. It\u2019s going to be a real issue, in terms of cost, it\u2019s going to go up. By how much? We don\u2019t know. Is there going to be fuel savings? In theory,\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n

Dunlop Tire executives said California drivers can already save money and improve tire performance simply by keeping their tires properly inflated.<\/p>\n

\u201cGenerally, when you attempt to regulate something you don\u2019t understand, or don\u2019t care much about, you create bad policy. And that\u2019s probably what we have here,\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n

Miguel Sr. changes a tire inside M and M tires in Long Beach, California, on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Starting in 2029, California will require most replacement tires sold in the state to meet a minimum rolling-resistance\/energy-efficiency standard. Pedro Colo for CA Post<\/p>\n

The drastic move is being justified on two fronts: reducing emissions and helping Californians save money on gas \u2014 potentially up to $1 billion a year, according to California Energy Commission estimates.<\/p>\n

Thomas noted the impact could be felt more by drivers than larger brands like his. \u201cWe can all do it tomorrow,\u201d he said. \u201cWill it accomplish the needs you have for your vehicle and your driving use? The answer is no.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said the standard could reduce carbon emissions but called the regulation \u201coverreaching.\u201d He argued proper tire inflation can already improve fuel efficiency and suggested education may be more effective than a broad mandate.<\/p>\n

Newsom has defended the new replacement tire efficiency regulations, calling them a \u201cgood choice.\u201d The Post has reached out to his office for comment on Dunlop\u2019s concerns. Anadolu via Getty Images<\/p>\n

He also warned the rules could disadvantage smaller manufacturers and potentially create monopolies.<\/p>\n

Newsom has defended the new replacement tire efficiency regulations, calling them a \u201cgood choice.\u201d The Post has reached out to his office for comment on Dunlop\u2019s concerns.<\/p>\n

Major tire manufacturers are divided over California\u2019s new Replacement Tire Efficiency Program (RTEP), with\u00a0Michelin and Bridgestone\u00a0supporting the regulations, while\u00a0Goodyear and Dunlop\u00a0oppose them. <\/p>\n

But lawmakers and political figures on the other side of the aisle have blasted the rules as another example of California\u2019s regulatory overreach.<\/p>\n

Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt called the regulations a \u201cscam\u201d that could ultimately drive up costs for drivers.<\/p>\n

Republican Rep. James Gallagher of California also slammed the policy, arguing that the state is using high gas prices to justify regulations that could make tires more expensive.<\/p>\n

Critics have pointed to estimates from the Tire Industry Association that average tire prices could rise from about $81 to as much as $157 under the new rules. For a driver replacing all four tires, that could mean hundreds of dollars in additional costs.<\/p>\n

Some opponents have also questioned whether the efficiency requirements could affect tire performance, including grip, durability and resistance to flats.<\/p>\n

The concerns come as California drivers already face some of the nation\u2019s highest transportation cost which add a dent to the state\u2019s 30 million drivers.<\/p>\n

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