Trailer Prices Rise Because of Raw Materials Costs on Tires

Continental Tire North America Inc. and Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions have both decided that it was necessary to raise prices on all of their North American truck tire lines. This may have a negative impact on Class A truck driving jobs and CDL truck driving jobs as well. In fact, around the end of August, truckers who purchased their truck tires from Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions paid roughly 6% more than they ever did in the past few years.

As for Continental’s increase in truck tire prices, it won’t actually become effective until October 1st. And for Continental, this price increase will actually be the second one in 2008 that they have announced. Both Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions and Continental Tire North America blame the higher costs they are asking truckers to pay on the skyrocketing raw materials costs which they now have to pay for. And of course, with prices of necessary trucking products rising rapidly, CDL truck driving jobs and Class A truck driving jobs may be in trouble.

In other trucking industry related news, Wabash National Corporation also recently announced that they would be increasing prices on all of their tractor trailer products. These price increases may have a negative effect on Class A truck driving jobs. Beginning on October 1, 2008, a 5% increase will be set into motion. And on January 1, 2009, additional price increases that should range from between 3% to 5% will take effect, possibly having an overall unsatisfactory effect on CDL truck driving jobs.