TCI’s tire defective warning raise questions

By Terry Tavita 23 January 2003

A warning on defective tires issued by the Department of Trade, Commerce and Industry has been questioned by a local tire dealer. “How can you warn consumers on buying new wheels when many cars here are running on bald tires?” he asked.

TCI yesterday issued a press release signed by the Secretary, warning consumers not to purchase tire models Bridgestone/ Firestone R4S, R4SII and A/T Tires. The reason given is that the US.

Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating the compatibility of these tires.

It goes further to say that the models have been banned in Saudi Arabia, and is been looked at in Venezuela, Mexico and South Africa.

The tire dealer pointed out that cars in these countries travel at 200 km per hour on the highway, “you can’t compare that to the slow traffic in Samoa.”

“Since cars travel so fast there, any slight defect is looked at carefully. “You put out public notices based on conditions here, not because you read something on the Internet that says so,” said the dealer.

“Most dealers in Samoa import second hand tires from mainly Hawaii and California which are still in good condition, compatible with our roads and driving conditions.”

“The prices are also very affordable for car owners.”

The average second hand tire, he said, costs $70. A new tire of the models in question is sold by a local motor company at $250-$500 depending on the size.

“If TCI is serious about fair trading, then that is a fair trade.

“I’m sure those people at TCI have better work to do than waste time on such mundane issues,” he concluded.