Tyremakers, Safety Group Cannot Appeal TPMS Decision

An attempt to challenge a NHTSA rule that allows vehicle manufacturers to fit US market cars with indirect TPMS systems rather than a direct system has been dismissed by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The plaintiffs – consumer advocacy group Public Citizen, tyre manufacturers Goodyear, Bridgestone Firestone, Cooper and Pirelli, plus the Tire Industry Association, argued that the final NHTSA regulations fell far short of those intended by Congress. However, after examining paperwork submitted by Public Citizen following a similar decision six months ago, the court on January 22 again decided that it can see no compelling evidence that the shortcomings of indirect systems – the additional time taken to signal a loss of pressure, and compatibility issues – would create an injury risk for consumers.