TOO MANY TYRE SIZES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 291, 7 December 1929, Page 12

TOO MANY TYRE SIZES

Reduce the number of sizes and styles in balloon tyres for passenger cars. This is a demand which has been growing in volume throughout the automotive trade and which already has resulted in action being taken by the Society of Automotive Engineers to bring about such a reduction. Seveny-five per cent, of the balloon tyres produced in 1928 were made in nine sizes, according to the Canada Tyre and Rubber Company, Ltd. But, to cover the entire field of present production cars, it is still necessary to produce twenty or more sizes scattered over eight cross-sections and four different wheel diameters, or approximately more than 200 styles for original equipment.'

During the war a sharp move towards standardisation of tyre sizes was made as a result of the forced economy due to the shortage of rubber. At that twne the more than 100 styles in use were cut to 9 sizes. However with the advent of the balloon tyre, came a swing in the other direction until today more than 200 styles are in use. But, if 55 per cent, of the balloon tyre original equipment sizes now in current! use were eliminated it would affect only 25 per cent, of the present car production.

This shows an economic waste which is startling, and a direct challenge to efficiency. It means that tyre dealers are forced still to carry a large stock of tyres for present production tyres, not taking into account many sizes obsoleted in the past three years, many of which are slow moving, which is directly against the trend in business to-day of small stocks and quick turnovers.