Ford to Use Cooper Tires for First Time

Tire maker enters the OEM market

By Rich Duprey – Feb 13, 2013 at 12:13PM EST

Cooper Tire & Rubber (CTB +0.00%) is making its way into the U.S. passenger car original equipment market with the inclusion of its Zeon RS3-A all-season tires as standard equipment on two 2013 Ford (F +3.54%) Focus models: SE and Titanium.

Cooper Chairman, CEO, and President Roy Armes was quoted by the company as saying, "This new relationship with Ford marks our company's entry into the U.S. passenger car OE tire market, a strategic decision aligned with our goal to drive profitable sales by diversifying product mix, expanding sales channels and leveraging technology."

Cooper Tire says it has13% market share in the United States. The company said it will retain its primary focus on the replacement tire market, which Modern Tire Dealer pegs as being a $37.8 billion industry in 2012.

CTB Revenue Quarterly data by YCharts.

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Rich has been a Fool since 1998 and writing for the site since 2004. After 20 years of patrolling the mean streets of suburbia, he hung up his badge and gun to take up a pen full time. Having made the streets safe for Truth, Justice, and Krispy Kreme donuts, he now patrols the markets looking for companies he can lock up as long-term holdings in a portfolio. His coverage reflects his passion for motorcycles, booze, and guns (though not enjoyed all at the same time...usually), but his writing also covers the broader sectors of consumer goods, technology, and industrials. So follow along as he tries to break down complex topics to make them more understandable and useful to the average investor. Have a story idea? Contact Rich here. I may not be able to respond to every suggestion, but I do read them all! Does an article needs a correction? Reach Rich here.

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Ford to Use Cooper Tires for First Time

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