The Tire Shoppe – General Tire History
The General Tire and Rubber Company was established in 1915 in Akron, Ohio, as an American-based manufacturer of motor vehicle tires. Founded by William F. O’Neil, the company quickly became a major player in the tire industry, expanding its operations beyond tire production to include rocketry, entertainment, rubber compounds, real estate, and aeronautics.
The Evolution of General Tire & Rubber
- Originally focused on repair materials before expanding into tire manufacturing.
- Introduced high-end tire products, including the Dual 90 tires, General Jumbo, and Low-Pressure General Balloon Jumbo for Ford Model T trucks.
- Entered the premium tire market in 1918, introducing General Jumbo tires, a pneumatic tire for trucks that outperformed competitors.
The Sale & Transformation of General Tire
In 1987, the General Tire and Rubber Company sold its rubber and tire division to Germany’s Continental AG, forming what is now known as Continental Tire North America, Inc.. However, General Tire retained its rocketry division, which evolved into Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings.
William F. O’Neil’s Vision
William F. O’Neil initially worked with Firestone, but after becoming dissatisfied with the company's franchise system, he partnered with his father to form General Tire in 1915. They recruited former Firestone managers and shifted their focus from repair materials to manufacturing high-performance tires.
Despite competing with over 300 tire manufacturers, O’Neil’s innovation led to the creation of premium replacement tires, setting General Tire apart from its competitors. His forward-thinking approach allowed the company to redefine the tire market and become a leader in the automotive industry.
Legacy of General Tire
From introducing industry-first premium replacement tires to expanding into various industries, General Tire remains a key part of automotive history, now operating under Continental Tire North America while its rocketry sector continues under Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings.
At The Tire Shoppe, we honor this legacy by providing top-quality tires and expert automotive services. Visit us today for all your tire needs!
The Tire Shoppe – General Tire Today
The General Tire and Rubber Company continues to be a leading name in tire innovation, producing a wide range of high-performance and all-season tires designed for various driving conditions.
General Tire G-MAX AS-03 – A High-Performance All-Season Tire
One of the most popular tires from General Tire is the G-MAX AS-03, an ultra-high-performance all-season tire specifically designed for sporty vehicles, including:
- Performance sedans
- Sports cars
- Sporty coupes
This tire is built to perform in all weather conditions, including wet, dry, icy, and snowy roads. The G-MAX AS-03 features:
- Stable shoulders for improved cornering.
- Directional tread design for enhanced traction.
- Continuous center rib for increased stability.
- Independent intermediate blocks for better grip.
- Three-dimensional sipes that provide enhanced winter traction.
With a long-lasting tread life and superior performance, the G-MAX AS-03 is an excellent choice for drivers seeking reliability and all-season control.
The Legacy of General Tire
Despite facing challenges over the years, General Tire has remained a respected and innovative brand in the tire industry. The company has introduced groundbreaking designs and set new standards in performance, competing with top brands and consistently delivering high-quality products to the market.
Although General Tire is now part of Continental AG, its commitment to producing exceptional tires remains unchanged. Since 1915, the company has been recognized for manufacturing some of the highest-quality tires and rubber compounds, offering top-tier performance and reliability to drivers worldwide.
At The Tire Shoppe, we are proud to offer General Tire products, ensuring that you get the best in performance, durability, and safety. Visit us today to find the perfect General Tires for your vehicle!
The Tire Shoppe Waterford General Tire Brands
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Performance Tires:
- G-MAX AS 07: An ultra-high-performance all-season tire suitable for passenger cars, crossovers, light trucks, and SUVs.
- G-MAX RS: A summer ultra-high-performance tire designed for passenger cars and crossovers.
- G-MAX Justice: A tire tailored for law enforcement and high-speed emergency vehicles.
- G-MAX Justice AW: An all-weather version of the G-MAX Justice, providing enhanced traction in various conditions.
Passenger Tires:
- AltiMAX 365 AW: An all-weather touring tire for passenger cars and crossovers, carrying the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol for severe winter conditions.
- AltiMAX RT 45: An all-season touring tire designed for year-round driving with confident handling.
Light Truck/SUV Tires:
- Grabber A/T X: An aggressive all-terrain tire for light trucks and SUVs, balancing off-road capability with on-road performance.
- Grabber APT: A durable all-terrain tire for crossovers, light trucks, and SUVs, developed for on-road performance and off-road traction.
- Grabber HD: A heavy-duty tire designed for commercial light trucks and vans, offering long-lasting tread life and durability.
- Grabber HD Van: Specifically designed for commercial vans, providing enhanced load capacity and durability.
- Grabber H/T: An all-season touring tire for crossovers, light trucks, and SUVs, developed for year-round traction.
- Grabber HTS 60: A long-lasting all-season touring tire for crossovers, light trucks, and SUVs, offering enhanced durability.
- Grabber X3: An extreme mud-terrain tire for light trucks and SUVs, developed for superior off-road performance.
Winter Tires:
- AltiMAX Arctic 12: A studdable winter tire for passenger cars, providing excellent traction in severe winter conditions.
- Grabber Arctic: A studdable winter tire for SUVs and light trucks, designed for enhanced winter performance.
- Grabber Arctic LT: A studdable winter tire for commercial light trucks, offering durability and traction in harsh winter conditions.
Commercial Tires:
- General RA: A regional all-position tire designed for durability and retreadability.
- General RA 2: An updated version of the General RA, offering improved performance and durability.
- General RD: A regional drive tire designed for traction and durability.
- General RD 2: An updated version of the General RD, providing enhanced performance.
- General HD: A heavy-duty tire designed for long-haul applications, offering durability and fuel efficiency.
- General HD 2: An updated version of the General HD, providing improved performance.
- General HS 2: A highway steer tire designed for durability and even wear.
- General HT+: A highway trailer tire offering durability and retreadability.
- General ST250 LP: A regional trailer tire designed for durability and fuel efficiency.
- General WT: An urban waste transport tire designed for durability in demanding conditions.
- Grabber OA 2: An on/off-road all-position tire designed for durability in mixed service applications.
- Grabber OA 2 WB: A wide-base version of the Grabber OA 2, offering enhanced load capacity.
- Grabber OD: An on/off-road drive tire designed for traction and durability in mixed service applications.
Providing Tire Replacement & Auto Mechanic Repair for: Algonac, Allen Park, Almont, Ann Arbor, Armada, Auburn Hills, Barton Hills, Belleville, Berkley, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills,Bridgewater, Brighton, Brownstown, Canton, Capac, Center Line, Chelsea, Clarkston, Clawson, Clinton Twp, Commerce Township, Davisburg, Dearborn, Detroit, Dexter, Dryden, Eastpointe, Ecorse, Farmington Hills, Ferndale,Flat Rock, Franklin, Fraser, Garden City, Gibraltar, Grosse Ile, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farm, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Shores, Grosse Pointe Woods, Hamtramck,, Harper Woods, Harrison Twp, Hartland, Hazel Park, Highland, Highland Park, Holly, Howell, Huntington Woods, Imlay City, Inkster, Keego Harbor, Lake Orion, Lathrup Village, Leonard, Lincoln Park, Livonia, Macomb, Madison Heights, Manchester, Marine City Marysville, Melvindale, Memphis, Milan, Milford, Mt. Clemens, New Baltimore, New Boston, New Haven, New Hudson, Northville, Novi, Oak Park, Orchard Lake, Ortonville, Oxford, Pleasant Ridge, Plymouth, Pontiac, Port Huron, Ray, Redford, River Rouge, Riverview, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Rockwood, Romeo, Romulus, Roseville, Royal Oak, Saint Clair, Salem, Saline, South Lyon, Southfield, St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, Sylvan Lake, Taylor, Trenton, Troy, Union Lake, Utica, Walled Lake, Warren, Washington, Waterford, Wayne, West Bloomfield, White Lake, Whitmore Lake, Wixom, Wolverine Lake, Woodhaven, Wyandotte, Ypsilanti