Cost squeeze creates new players.(closing a tire plant)

Tire dealers could be seeing even more of an influx of new tire suppliers from foreign countries over the next few years as the world's largest tire makers reduce their emphasis on the mass market tire segment in North America.

That trend is already happening, highlighted by Goodyear's recent decision to cut its private brand tire production by a third-8 million units-to focus on more profitable segments of the business.

Goodyear's move reflects a reality in North America: The market for broadline tires, while still huge, is shrinking. At the same time, it a