16-3-3577 U.S. Purchasers' Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 16-3-3577; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
TRUCK AND BUS TIRES FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by November 15, 2016
See last page for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its countervailing and antidumping duty investigations concerning truck and bus tires from China (Inv.
Nos. 701-TA-556 and 731-TA-1311 (Final)). The information requested in the questionnaire is requested under the
authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed can result in a
subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)).
Further information on this questionnaire can be obtained from Michele Breaux (202-205-2781,
Michele.breaux@usitc.gov).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm purchased truck and bus tires (as defined on next page) from any source (domestic or foreign) at
any time since January 1, 2013?

NO

(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)

YES

(Complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire questionnaire to the Commission)

Return questionnaire via the U.S. International Trade Commission Drop Box by clicking on the
following link: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (PIN: TIRES)
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission. By
submitting this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout this proceeding in any other import-injury proceedings conducted by
the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I, the undersigned, acknowledge that information submitted in response to this request for information and throughout this
investigation or other proceeding may be disclosed to and used: (i) by the Commission, its employees and Offices, and contract
personnel (a) for developing or maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in internal investigations, audits,
reviews, and evaluations relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission including under 5 U.S.C.
Appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S. government employees and contract personnel, solely for cybersecurity purposes. I understand that all
contract personnel will sign appropriate nondisclosure agreements.
Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official

Date

Phone:
Signature

Fax

Email address

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck And Bus Tires

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PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on January 29, 2016, by
United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers
International Union (“USW”), Pittsburg, PA. Countervailing and/or antidumping duties may be assessed
on the subject imports as a result of these proceedings if the Commission makes an affirmative
determination of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the U.S. Department of Commerce makes
an affirmative determination of subsidization and/or dumping. Questionnaires and other information
pertinent to this proceeding are available
at https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2016/truck_and_bus_tires_china/final.htm
Truck and bus tires covered by these investigations are new pneumatic tires, of rubber, with a truck or
bus size designation. Truck and bus tires covered by this investigation may be tube-type, tubeless, radial,
or non-radial.
Subject tires have, at the time of importation, the symbol ‘‘DOT’’ on the sidewall, certifying that the tire
conforms to applicable motor vehicle safety standards. Subject tires may also have one of the following
suffixes in their tire size designation, which also appear on the sidewall of the tire:
TR—Identifies tires for service on trucks or buses to differentiate them from similarly sized
passenger car and light truck tires;
MH—Identifies tires for mobile homes; and
HC—Identifies a 17.5 inch rim diameter code for use on low platform trailers.
All tires with a ‘‘TR,’’ ‘‘MH,’’ or ‘‘HC’’ suffix in their size designations are covered by this investigation
regardless of their intended use.
In addition, all tires that lack one of the above suffix markings are included in the scope, regardless of
their intended use, as long as the tire is of a size that is among the numerical size designations listed in
the ‘‘Truck-Bus’’ section of the Tire and Rim Association Year Book, as updated annually, unless the tire
falls within one of the specific exclusions set out below.
Truck and bus tires, whether or not mounted on wheels or rims, are included in the scope. However, if a
subject tire is imported mounted on a wheel or rim, only the tire is covered by the scope. Subject
merchandise includes truck and bus tires produced in the subject country whether mounted on wheels
or rims in the subject country or in a third country. Truck and bus tires are covered whether or not they
are accompanied by other parts, e.g., a wheel, rim, axle parts, bolts, nuts, etc. Truck and bus tires that
enter attached to a vehicle are not covered by the scope.
Specifically excluded from the scope of this investigation are the following types of tires:
(1) Pneumatic tires, of rubber, that are not new, including recycled and retreaded tires; and
(2) non-pneumatic tires, such as solid rubber tires.
The subject merchandise is currently classifiable under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTSUS) subheadings: 4011.20.1015 and 4011.20.5020. Tires meeting the scope description may also
enter under the following HTSUS subheadings: 4011.69.0020, 4011.69.0090, 4011.99.4520,
4011.99.4590, 4011.99.8520, 4011.99.8590, 8708.70.4530, 8708.70.6030, 8708.70.6060, and
8716.90.5059. While HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and for customs purposes, the
written description of the subject merchandise is dispositive.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

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Purchaser.--Any firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in purchasing
truck and bus tires from another firm that produces, imports, or otherwise distributes truck and bus
tires.
Reporting of information.-- If information is not readily available from your records, provide carefully
prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer, importer,
and/or purchaser questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.
Confidentiality.--The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. 1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a manner
that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of numerical
business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential business
information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.-- The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.
Release of information.--The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import-injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires
I-1.

Page 4

OMB statistics.--Please report the actual number of hours required and the cost to your firm of
completing this questionnaire.
Hours

Dollars

The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that
issues of concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful,
and as limited as possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average
25 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for
reducing the burden, and any suggestions for improving this questionnaire. Please attach such
comments to your response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I-2.

Establishments covered.-- Provide the name and address of your U.S. establishment(s) covered
by this questionnaire, if different from that listed on the cover page. Firms operating more than
one establishment should combine the data for all establishments into a single report.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the purchase of truck and bus tires, including
auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such
facilities.

I-3.

Ownership.--Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Address

Extent of ownership
(percent)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires
I-4.

Related SUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic
or foreign, which import truck and bus tires from China into the United States or which export
truck and bus tires from China to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

I-5.

Address

Affiliation

Related NONSUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, which import truck and bus tires from countries other than China into the
United States or which export truck and bus tires from countries other than China to the United
States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name and country

I-6.

Page 5

Address

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
produce truck and bus tires?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Address

Affiliation

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

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PART II.--PURCHASES
Contact information.-- Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which Commission
staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted in this questionnaire.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax
Purchases.— Report your firm’s total U.S. purchases of truck and bus tires. (Do not include
imports for which your firm was the importer of record; such imports should be reported in your
U.S. importer’s questionnaire.)

II-1.

2013

2014

Item

2015

Quantity (in tires)

Purchases of truck and bus tires
produced in-United States
China
All other countries:1
Sources unknown
Total purchases
1

II-2.

0

0

Please identify these countries:
Changes in purchasing patterns.--Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of
truck and bus tires from different sources have changed since January 1, 2013.

Source of Did not
purchases purchase Decreased Increased Constant Fluctuated
United
States
China
All other
countries
Sources
unknown

Explanation for trend

0

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

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II-3.

Purchases from one country only.--If your firm has purchased truck and bus tires from only one
country, please explain the reasons for doing so.

II-4.

Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for truck and bus tires since
January 1, 2013. Also, provide the share of the quantity of your firm’s total purchases of truck
and bus tires that each of these suppliers accounted for in 2015.

No.

Supplier’s name

City and state

Share of quantity of
2015 purchases

1

%

2

%

3

%

4

%

5

%

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

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PART III.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
III-1.

Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of truck and bus tires
(check all that apply)?
OEM

Aftermarket

Other

Describe other

If your firm is an aftermarket supplier of truck and bus tires, please answer questions III-2, III-3, III-4,
and III-5.
III-2.

Competition for sales.--Does your firm compete for sales to customers with the manufacturers
or importers from which your firm purchases truck and bus tires?
No

III-3.

Yes

Types of customers.— Which of the following best describes your firm’s customers for
aftermarket truck and bus tires (check all that apply)?
National
accounts
(i.e. fleets)

III-4.

If yes, please describe.

Owner
operators

Distributor

Other

Describe other

Types of customers.—Which of the following types of tires does your firm sell (check all that
apply)?
Bias tube tires
Bias tubeless tires
Radial tires

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires
III-5.

Page 9

Demand for tires in aftermarket.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of
the United States (if known) for truck and bus tires in the aftermarket has changed since January
1, 2013. Explain any trends and describe the principal factors that have affected these changes
in demand.

Overall
increase

Market

Fluctuate
No
Overall
with no
change decrease clear trend

Explanation and factors

Aftermarket
Within the United
States
Outside the
United States

If your firm is an end user of truck and bus tires, please answer questions III-6 and III-7.
III-6.

End uses.-- List the end uses of the truck and bus tires that your firm purchases. For each enduse product, estimate what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by truck and bus tires
and other inputs?
Estimated share of total cost of end use
product accounted for by
End use product

Truck and bus tires

Other inputs

Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)

For OEMs, a new
Heavy Duty (Class 7 or
8) Truck or Bus1

%

%

0.0 %

For OEMs, a new
Medium Duty (Class 6
or lower) Truck or Bus1

%

%

0.0 %

%

%

0.0 %

2

Other
1

This line is asking how much do "truck and bus tires" account for the total cost to produce the
class of truck or bus in question for an OEM (estimates are acceptable). The other inputs include
everything else that makes up a truck/bus. Include trailer costs in this calculation/analysis if
appropriate.
2
Describe the end use
.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires
III-7.

Page 10

Demand for tires in OEM market.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of
the United States (if known) for truck and bus tires in the OEM market has changed since
January 1, 2013. Explain any trends and describe the principal factors that have affected these
changes in demand.

Market

Overall
increase

Fluctuate
No
Overall
with no
change decrease clear trend

Explanation and factors

OEM market
Within the
United States
Outside the
United States
III-8.

Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for truck and bus tires?
No

Substitute
1.
2.
3.

Yes--Please fill out the table.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for truck and bus tires?
No Yes

Explanation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires
III-9.

Page 11

Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Please fill out the table below, estimating the
percentage of your firm’s total 2015 purchases of truck and bus tires that required truck and bus
tires produced in the United States.

Purchases that did not require domestic product
Purchases that were required by law or regulation to be domestic product
(e.g., government purchases under “Buy American” provisions)
Purchases that were not required by law or regulation, but were required by
your customers to be domestic product
Purchases that were required to be domestic product for other reasons
(explain:
)
Total (should sum to 100.0%)

Estimated percentage of
your firm’s total 2015
purchases of truck and
bus tires
%
%
%
%
0.0 %

III-10. Conditions of competition.-(a)

Is the truck and bus tires market subject to business cycles (other than general
economy-wide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to truck
and bus tires?

Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

Skip to question III-11.

Yes-Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes-Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b)

Have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
truck and bus tires since January 1, 2013?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

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III-11. Decisions based on producer and country-of-origin.--How often does your firm, and if known,
do your customers, make purchasing decisions involving truck and bus tires based on its
producer or country of origin?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, explain.

Decision based on producer
Your firm
Your
customers
Decision based on country of origin
Your firm
Your
customers
III-12. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of truck and bus tires in the U.S. market changed
since January 1, 2013?
Availability in the U.S.
Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for the
market
No Yes changes.
U.S.-produced product
Subject imports
Nonsubject imports
III-13. Supply constraints.--Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply your firm with
truck and bus tires since January 1, 2013 (examples include placing customers on allocation or
“controlled order entry,” declining to accept new customers or renew existing customers,
delivering less than the quantity promised, been unable to meet timely shipment commitments,
etc.)?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

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III-14. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently does your firm make purchases of truck and bus tires (check one)?
Daily

(b)

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

If other, specify

Has this purchasing frequency changed since January 1, 2013?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-15. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers does your firm generally contact before
making a purchase? Between
and
firms
III-16. Supplier negotiations.--Does your firm’s purchases of truck and bus tires usually involve
negotiations between supplier and purchaser?

No

Yes

If yes, explain the factors your firm generally negotiates and note
whether your firm quotes competing prices during negotiations.

III-17. Change in suppliers.--Has your firm changed suppliers since January 1, 2013?

No

Yes

If yes, please list the supplier(s), whether the firm was added or
dropped, and the reasons for the change.

III-18. New suppliers.--Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have
entered the market since January 1, 2013?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the firms.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

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III-19. Supplier qualification.--Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified
to sell truck and bus tires to your firm?
If yes, provide the following information.
• The number of days to qualify a new supplier.
• A general description of the certification or qualification process. Also, a brief
description of the factors that you consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality
of product, reliability of supplier, etc.).

No

Yes

Number
of days Process and factors

III-20. Failure to certify.--Since January 1, 2013, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their
attempts to certify or qualify their truck and bus tires with your firm or have any producers lost
their approved status?

No

Yes

If yes, please identify these firms, the countries where they are located,
and the reasons why they failed the certification/qualification.

III-21. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the main factors your firm
considers in deciding from whom to purchase truck and bus tires (examples include availability,
extension of credit, contracts, price, quality, range of supplier’s product line, traditional supplier,
etc.).
1.
2.
3.
Please list any other factors that are very important in your purchase decisions:

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

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III-22. Purchasing factors.--Please rate the importance of the following factors in your firm’s
purchasing decisions for truck and bus tires.

Factor

Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not
important

Availability
Brand
Cost over the lifetime of the tire
Cost per mile
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Retreadability
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1
Warranty

III-23. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of truck and bus tires?

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III-24. Frequency of decisions based on price.—
(a)

How often does your firm purchase the truck and bus tires that is offered at the lowest
price?
Always

(b)

Usually

Sometimes

Never

How often does your firm purchase the truck and bus tires that is offered at the lowest
cost per mile over the anticipated lifetime of the tire?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-25. Price leaders.— A price leader is defined as (1) one or more firms that initiate a price change,
either upward or downward, that is followed by other firms, or (2) one or more firms that have a
significant impact on prices. A price leader is not necessarily the lowest-priced supplier.
Please list the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the truck and bus tires market
since January 1, 2013.
Firm(s)

Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

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III-26. Purchasing subject imports rather than domestic products.—
(a)

Since January 2013, did your firm purchase imports of truck and bus tires from China
instead of U.S.-produced truck and bus tires?
Source

Yes
(also respond to parts (b) and (c))

No
(If “No”, skip to question III-27)

China
(b)

If you responded “Yes” to part (a), was the imported product priced lower than the
domestic product?
Source

Yes

No

China
(c)

If you responded “Yes” to part (a), was price a primary reason for purchasing subject
imports rather than domestic product?

Source

Yes

If Yes, estimate the quantity
of imports purchased instead
of domestic product since
January 2013
(in tires)

No

If No, please indicate the
reason your firm purchased
imports instead of domestic
product

China
III-27. U.S. producers and import competition.—
(a)

Since January 1, 2013, in connection with a sale or offer to sell truck and bus tires to
your firm, did U.S. producers reduce their prices of domestically produced truck and bus
tires in order to compete with lower-priced imports of truck and bus tires from the
subject countries?
Source

Yes (also respond to
question part (b))

No (If “No”, skip to question
III-28)

Don’t know

China
(b)

If your firm responded “yes” above, please provide an estimate of the reduction in U.S.
producers’ prices, and any additional explanations, such as timing (e.g., months/years),
frequency of price reductions, or other market/competitive factors.

Source
China

Estimated reduction in
U.S. prices
(percent)
%

Additional explanation, including such information
as timing (e.g., months/years), frequency of price
reductions, or other market/competitive factors

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

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III -28. Retreading.—
(a)

Did your firm buy truck and bus tires with retreading warrantees/guarantees (check all
that apply)?
Purchases from the United States
No
Yes-casings covered

Number of years that casings covered.

to
retreads

Yes-retreading covered

Number of retreads covered.
to
and/or
Number of years that retreads covered.

Yes-other

Describe:

to

years

years

Purchases from the China
No
Yes-casings covered

Number of years that casings covered.

to
retreads

Yes-retreading covered

Number of retreads covered.
to
and/or
Number of years that retreads covered.

Yes-other

Describe:

to

years

years

Purchases from all other countries
No
Yes-casings covered

Number of years that casings covered.

to
retreads

Yes-retreading covered

Number of retreads covered.
to
and/or
Number of years that retreads covered.

Yes-other

Describe:

to

years

years

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

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III -28. Retreading.—Continued
(b)

If you responded “Yes” to part (a), estimate the proportion of 2015 purchases with
retreading warrantees/guarantees.

Source of purchases:

Share of 2015 purchases
(percent)

United States

%

China

%

All other sources

%

(c)

If you responded “Yes” to part (a), estimate of the additional price of a truck and bus
tire with retreading warrantees/guarantees relative to one without.

Source of purchases:

Additional price
(percent)

United States

to

percent

China

to

percent

All other sources

to

percent

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

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III -29. Product categories.—
(a) Is the U.S. truck and bus tires market divided into categories (e.g., Best/Better/Good; Tier
1/Tier 2/Tier 3; Flagship/Secondary/Mass-market)?
No

If no, please provide a description of how, if at all, the U.S. market for
truck and bus tires can be categorized:
If yes, please describe each category and identify the producers and
brands that belong in each category in the table below

Yes

Categories

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Brands

Producers

Main distinguishing
characteristics

If your firm answered “no” above, please skip to III-30.
(b) Please estimate the share of the total U.S. market for truck and bus tires for each category.
Additionally, please report the share of your firm’s purchases of truck and bus tires for each
category.
Share of your firm’s 2015 purchases of truck
and bus tires

Categories
Category 1

%

Category 2

%

Category 3

%

Category 4

%

Category 5

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0

%

(c) Are truck and bus tires of different categories sold in direct competition, e.g., in the same
stores, websites, to the same distributors, etc.?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

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III -29. Product categories.—Continued
(d) Has your firm’s purchases of truck and bus tires shifted between the categories since
January 1, 2013?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe and quantify if possible.

(e) Does the price of truck and bus tires in any one category influence the volume of your firm’s
purchases in another category? For example, do changes in the price of category three tires
influence the volume of shipments of category one or two tires?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

(f) Does the price of truck and bus tires in any one category influence the price of your firm’s
purchases in another category? For example, do changes in the price of category three tires
influence the price of shipments of category one or two tires?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

(g) Do your customers compare prices between truck and bus tires in different categories when
making purchasing decisions?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

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III -30. Branding.—
(a)

Does brand influence the price your firm is willing to pay for truck and bus tires?
No

(b)

Yes

How competitive are private-label tires with their name-brand counterparts? How do
they compare in terms of quality and price?
Very
competitive

(c)

If yes, please describe.

Somewhat
competitive

Not
competitive

Explanation and factors

Does your firm purchase private label and branded truck and bus tires with the same
specifications at different prices?
No

Yes

If yes, please explain and estimate price differences.

III -31. Radial and bias tire interchangeability.— Are radial tires interchangeable with bias tires either
with or without tubes?
Radial tires
interchange with
Bias tube tires
Bias tubeless tires

Always

Frequently

Sometimes

Never

Do not
know

Explanation and
factors

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

Page 23

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.

Country knowledge.--Please indicate the countries of origin for truck and bus tires for which
your firm has actual marketing/pricing knowledge.
United
States

IV-2.

China

All other
import
sources

Other countries (specify)

Interchangeability.--Are truck and bus tires produced in the United States and in other countries
interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = the products from a specified country-pair are always interchangeable
F = the products are frequently interchangeable
S = the products are sometimes interchangeable
N = the products are never interchangeable
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

China

All other sources

United States
China
For any country-pair producing truck and bus tires, identify the country-pair and explain the
factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires
IV-3.

Page 24

Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between truck and bus tires
produced in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s purchases
of the products?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = such differences are always significant
F = such differences are frequently significant
S = such differences are sometimes significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

China

All other sources

United States
China
For any country-pair for which factors other than price, identify the country-pair and report
the advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires
IV-4.

Country preferences.--Do you or your customers ever specifically order truck and bus tires from
one country in particular over other possible sources of supply?
No

IV-5.

Yes

If yes, identify the countries and explain.

Availability of merchandise.--Are certain grades/types/sizes of truck and bus tires only available
from certain country sources?
No

IV-6.

Page 25

Yes

If yes, please identify the countries and the grade/type/size.

Choice of product not based on price.--If you purchased truck and bus tires from one country
source although a comparable product was available from another country source at a lower
price, please explain your reasons for doing so (please specify by country).

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires
IV-7.

Page 26

Factor country comparisons.--For the factors listed below, please rate how truck and bus tires
produced in each country you identified in your response to the first question in Part IV
compares with truck and bus tires produced in each of the other countries you identified.

Availability
Brand
Cost over the lifetime of the tire
Cost per mile
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Retreadability
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1
Warranty
1

A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has
lower prices/U.S. transportation costs than the second country.

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Factor

Superior

If you are unfamiliar with the product from a particular country, please leave the boxes for those
country comparisons blank.
Product from
Product from
United States
Product from
United States
compared to
China compared to
compared to
product from
product from
all other sources
All other sources
product from
China
(AOS)
(AOS)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires
IV-8.

Page 27

Minimum quality.--How often does truck and bus tires from the following countries meet
minimum quality specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?

Source

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never

Don’t
know

United States
China
Other:
IV-9.

Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to any question that
did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number and the explanation
in the space provided below.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Truck and Bus Tires

Page 28

HOW TO FILE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the Commission’s
website
at: https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2016/truck_and_bus_tires_china/final.htm
Please do not attempt to modify the format or permissions of the questionnaire
document. Please submit the completed questionnaire using one of the methods noted
below. If your firm is unable to complete the MS Word questionnaire or cannot use one
of the electronic methods of submission, please contact the Commission for further
instructions.
• Upload via Secure Drop Box.—Upload the MS Word questionnaire along with a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1) through the Commission’s secure upload facility:
Web address: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/

Pin: TIRES

• E-mail.—E-mail the MS Word questionnaire to Michele.breaux@usitc.gov; include a scanned copy of
the signed certification page (page 1). Submitters are strongly encouraged to encrypt nonpublic
documents that are electronically transmitted to the Commission to protect your sensitive information
from unauthorized disclosure. The USITC secure drop-box system and the Electronic Document
Information System (EDIS) use Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 cryptographic
algorithms to encrypt data in transit. Submitting your nonpublic documents by a means that does not
use these encryption algorithms (such as by email) may subject your firm’s nonpublic information to
unauthorized disclosure during transmission. If you choose a non-encrypted method of electronic
transmission, the Commission warns you that the risk of such possible unauthorized disclosure is
assumed by you and not by the Commission.
If your firm does not purchase this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a scanned
copy to the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.—If your firm is a party to this proceeding, it is required to serve a copy of the
completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to administrative protective
order (see 19 CFR § 207.7). A list of such parties may be obtained from the Commission’s Secretary (202205-1803). A certificate of service must accompany the completed questionnaire your firm submits (see
19 CFR § 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.