09-1-2756 U.S. Producer questionnaire

Information collections for import injury investigations (producers, importers, purchasers, and foreign producer questionnaires and institution notices for 5-year reviews)

Tires - US Producer Questionnaire

Certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires from China

OMB: 3117-0016

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated. More recent filings and information on OMB 3117-0016 can be found here:

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OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 09-1-2756; Expiration Date: 6/30/2011
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PRODUCERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLE AND LIGHT TRUCK TIRES FROM CHINA

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than May 7, 2009
See page 4 of the Instruction Booklet for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its market disruption investigation concerning certain passenger vehicle and light truck tires (subject
tires) from China (Inv. No. TA-421-7) under section 421(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 (the Act). The information
requested in the questionnaire is requested under the authority of section 421 of the Act. 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)).

Name of firm
Address
State

City

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm produced subject tires (as defined in the instruction booklet) at any time since January 1, 2004?

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

YES

(Read the instruction booklet carefully, complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire
questionnaire to the Commission so as to be received by the date indicated above)

CERTIFICATION
The undersigned certifies that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best
of his/her knowledge and belief and understands that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. The undersigned acknowledges that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout this
investigation may be used by the Commission, its employees, and contract personnel who are acting in the capacity of Commission
employees, for developing or maintaining the records of this investigation or related proceedings for which this information is
submitted, or in internal audits and investigations relating to programs and operations of the Commission pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
Appendix 3. I understand that all contract personnel will sign non-disclosure agreements. The undersigned understands that the
confidential business information that is furnished may be subject to, and may be released under an administrative protective order
issued by the Commission pursuant to section 206.47 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure. In addition, the
confidential business information that is submitted may be included in a confidential version of the report that the Commission
transmits to the President and the U.S. Trade Representative, should the Commission transmit a confidential version. Your
signature on the certification below will also serve as consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use
the information you provide in this questionnaire and throughout this investigation in any other import-injury investigations
conducted by the Commission on the same or similar merchandise. If you do not consent to such use, please note the certification
accordingly.

Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official
Phone: (

Date

)

Signature

E-mail address
Fax (

)

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Subject tires

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average 50 hours per response, including the
time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering the data needed, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire. Send comments regarding the accuracy of this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the
burden, to the Office of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I-1a.

Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your firm of preparing the
reply to this questionnaire and completing the form.
hours

dollars

I-1b.

We are interested in any comments you may have for improving this questionnaire in general or
the clarity of specific questions. Please attach such comments to your response or send them to
the above address.

I-2.

Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this questionnaire (see page 3 of the
instruction booklet for reporting guidelines). If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the
stock exchange and trading symbol.

I-3.

For each of the establishments listed in question I-2, please indicate whether the production
workers producing subject tires belong to a union.
Establishment

Member of a union
Yes

Yes

Name of union(s)

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Subject tires

Page 3

PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-4.

Do you support or oppose the petition?
Support

I-5.

Firm name

Yes--List the following information

Address

Extent of
ownership

Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which are engaged in
importing subject tires from China into the United States or which are engaged in exporting
subject tires from China to the United States?
No
Firm name

I-7.

Take no position

Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No

I-6.

Oppose

Yes--List the following information
Address

Affiliation

Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which are engaged in the
production of subject tires?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information
Address

Affiliation

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Subject tires

Page 4

PART II.—TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Amy Sherman (202-205-3289,
[email protected]). Supply all data requested on a calendar-year basis.
II-1.

Who should be contacted regarding the requested trade and related information?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

II-2.

Has your firm experienced any plant openings, relocations, expansions, acquisitions,
consolidations, closures, or prolonged shutdowns because of strikes or equipment failure;
curtailment of production because of shortages of materials; or any other change in the character
of your operations or organization relating to the production of subject tires since January 1,
2004?
No

II-3.

E-mail address

Yes--Supply details as to the time, nature, reason(s) for and significance of
such changes.

Does your firm produce other products on the same equipment and machinery used in the
production of subject tires?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Basis for allocation of capacity data (e.g., sales):
Products produced on same equipment and share of total production in 2008 (in percent):
Product
Subject tires

Percent

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Subject tires

Page 5

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION --Continued
II-4.

Please describe the constraint(s) that set the limit(s) on your production capacity and your ability
to shift production capacity between products.

II-5.

Does your firm produce other products using the same production and related workers employed
to produce subject tires?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Basis for allocation of capacity data (e.g., sales):
Products produced using the same workers and share of total production in 2008 (in percent):
Product

Percent

Subject tires

II-6.

Since January 1, 2004, has your firm been involved in a toll agreement (see definition in the
instruction booklet) regarding the production of subject tires?
No

II-7.

Does your firm produce subject tires in a foreign trade zone (FTZ)?
No

II-8.

Yes--Name firm(s):

Yes--Identify FTZ(s):

Since January 1, 2004, has your firm imported subject tires?
No

Yes--COMPLETE AND RETURN A U.S. IMPORTERS’
QUESTIONNAIRE

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Subject tires

Page 6

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION --Continued
II-9.

Report your firm’s production capacity, production, shipments, inventories, and employment
related to the production of subject tires in your U.S. establishment(s) during the specified
periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)
Quantity (in 1,000 tires) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Average production capacity (quantity)
Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity)
Production (quantity)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Internal consumption:
Quantity of internal consumption
Value2 of internal consumption
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity of transfers
Value2 of transfers
Export shipments:3
Quantity of export shipments
Value of export shipments
End-of-period inventories4 (quantity)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments to OEMs (quantity)
U.S. shipments to the replacement market
(quantity)
All other (describe:__________) or unknown
Total
Employment data:
Average number of PRWs (number)
Hours worked by PRWs (1,000 hours)
Wages paid to PRWs (value)
1

The production capacity (see definitions in instruction booklet) reported is based on operating
hours per week,
weeks per year. Please describe the methodology used to calculate production capacity, and explain any changes in
reported capacity (use additional pages as necessary).
2

Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. In the event that you use a
different basis for valuing these transactions, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide value data
using that basis for each of the periods noted above:
3

Identify your principal export markets:
.
Reconciliation of data.--Please note that the quantities reported above should reconcile as follows: beginning-of-period
inventories, plus production, less total shipments, equals end-of-period inventories. Do the data reported reconcile?
4

Yes

No--Please explain:

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Subject tires

Page 7

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION --Continued
II-10.

If you reported transfers to related firms in question II-9, please indicate the nature of the
relationship between your firm and the related firms (e.g., joint venture, wholly owned
subsidiary), whether the transfers were priced at market value or by a non-market formula,
whether your firm retained marketing rights to all transfers, and whether the related firms also
processed inputs from sources other than your firm.

II-11.

Other than direct imports, has your firm otherwise purchased subject tires since January 1, 2004?
(See definitions in the instruction booklet.)
Yes--Report such purchases below for the specified periods.1

(Quantity in 1,000 tires, value in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

PURCHASES FROM U.S. IMPORTERS2 OF SUBJECT TIRES FROM-CHINA:
Quantity
Value
All other countries:
Quantity
Value
PURCHASES FROM DOMESTIC PRODUCERS:2
Quantity
Value
PURCHASES FROM OTHER SOURCES:2
Quantity
Value
1

Please indicate your reasons for purchasing this product. If your reasons differ by source, please elaborate.

2
Please list the name of the firm(s) from which you purchased this product. If your suppliers differ by source,
please identify the source for each listed supplier.

II-12.

Are there any types of subject tires that U.S. manufacturers do not currently produce (or during
the period of investigation did not produce), which must be imported into the U.S. market from
China or other countries? When considering “types,” consider physical composition, method of
manufacture, specification standards, size, or any other key characteristics such that it is
“frequently” used for different end-uses than those produced in the United States.
No

Yes—Please identify the product(s) (including type and size), their uses and sources:

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Page 8

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION --Continued
II-13.

Has the United States market for subject tires been the focal point for the diversion of exports of
subject tires, by reason of restraint on exports to or imports into third country markets of subject
tires or imports?
No

II-14.

Yes—Please describe (e.g., the extent to which this is the case).

Has any increase in imports of subject tires from China, either actual or relative to domestic
production, been a cause of material injury to the domestic industry?
No
Yes—Please describe (e.g., the extent to which this is the case, and provide
pertinent information).

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Subject tires

Page 9

PART III.-- FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Address questions on this part of the questionnaire to David Boyland (202-708-4725,
[email protected]).
III-1.

Who should be contacted regarding the requested financial information?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

III-2.

E-mail address

Briefly describe your financial accounting system.
A.

When does your fiscal year end (month and day)?
If your fiscal year changed during the period examined, explain below:

B.1.

Describe the lowest level of operations (e.g., plant, division, company-wide) for
which financial statements are prepared that include subject merchandise:

2.
3.

Does your firm prepare profit/loss statements for the subject merchandise:
Yes
No
How often did your firm (or parent company) prepare financial statements
(including annual reports, 10Ks)? Please check relevant items below.
Audited,
unaudited,
annual reports,
10Ks,
10 Qs,
Monthly,
quarterly,
semi-annually,
annually
Accounting basis:
GAAP,
cash,
tax, or
other comprehensive
(specify)

Note: The Commission may request that your company submit copies of its financial statements,
including internal profit-and-loss statements for the division or product group that includes
subject tires, as well as those statements and worksheets used to compile data for your firm’s
questionnaire response.

III-3.

Briefly describe your cost accounting system (e.g., standard cost, job order cost, etc.).

III-4.

Briefly describe your allocation basis, if any, for COGS, SG&A, and interest expense and other
income and expenses.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Subject tires

Page 10

PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION --Continued
III-5.

Other products.--Please list any other products you produced in the facilities in which you
produced subject tires, and provide the share of net sales accounted for by these other products in
your most recent fiscal year:
Products

III-6.

Share of sales

Does your company purchase inputs (raw materials, labor, energy, or any other services) used in
the production of subject tires from any related company?
Yes—Continue to question III-7 below

III-7.

In the space provided below, identify the inputs used in the production of subject tires that your
firm purchases from related parties whose financial statements are consolidated with the financial
statements of your firm.
Input

III-8.

No—Continue to question III-9 below

Related party

All intercompany profit on inputs purchased from related parties that is eliminated pursuant to
formal financial statement consolidation should also be eliminated from the costs reported to the
Commission in question III-10 (i.e., costs reported in question III-10, to the extent that they
reflect inputs purchased from related parties, should only reflect the related party’s cost and not
include an associated profit component). Reasonable methods for determining and eliminating
the associated profit on inputs purchased from related parties are acceptable.
Has your firm complied with the Commission’s instructions regarding costs associated with
inputs purchased from related parties?
Yes

No—Please contact David Boyland (202-708-4725,
[email protected])

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Page 11

PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION --Continued

III-9.

Nonrecurring charges.--For each annual period for which financial results are reported in question
III-10, please indicate in the schedule below the specific nonrecurring charges, the particular
expense/cost line items from question III-10 where the associated charges are included, a brief
description of the charges, and the associated values (in $1,000). Nonrecurring charges would
include, but are not limited to, items such as asset write-offs and accelerated depreciation due to
restructuring of the company’s subject tires operations.
Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

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Page 12

PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION --Continued
III-10. Operations on subject tires.--Report the revenue and related cost information requested below on
the subject tires operations of your U.S. establishment(s).1 Do not report resales of products.
Note that internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value
and purchases from related firms must be at cost.2 Provide data for your five most recently
completed fiscal years in chronological order from left to right. If your firm was involved in
tolling operations (either as the toller or as the tollee) please contact David Boyland at (202) 7084725 before completing this section of the questionnaire.
Quantity (in 1,000 tires) and value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item
Net sales quantities:3
Commercial sales
Internal consumption
Transfers to related firms
Total net sales quantities
Net sales values:3
Commercial sales
Internal consumption
Transfers to related firms
Total net sales values
Cost of goods sold (COGS):4
Raw materials
Direct labor
Other factory costs
Total COGS
Gross profit or (loss)
Selling, general, and administrative
(SG&A) expenses:
Selling expenses
General and administrative expenses
Total SG&A expenses
Operating income (loss)
Other income and expenses:
Interest expense
All other expense items
All other income items
All other income or expenses, net
Net income or (loss) before income taxes
Depreciation/amortization included
above
1

Include only sales (whether domestic or export) and costs related to your U.S. manufacturing operations.
To the extent applicable, please indicate the amount of profits or (losses) on inputs from related firms that were eliminated pursuant
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
.
to question III-8: Year 1
3
Less discounts, returns, allowances, and prepaid freight. The quantities and values should approximate the corresponding
shipment quantities and values reported in Part II of this questionnaire.
4
COGS should include costs associated with internal consumption and transfers to related firms.
2

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PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION --Continued
III-11. Variable and fixed costs included in direct labor and other factory costs.--For calendar-year 2008
or the most recently completed fiscal year, please provide a breakout of the variable and fixed costs
included in total direct labor cost, total other factory costs, and total SG&A expenses as reported in table
III-10. The total cost reported in this table for direct labor, other fixed costs, and SG&A expenses should
reconcile to the total direct labor cost, total other factory costs, and total SG&A expenses reported in table
III-10. (Note: variable costs are costs that normally will change in a traceable and measurable way
relative to changes in production volume. Fixed costs are costs that normally will remain constant in the
short term regardless of changes in production volumes.)

Value (in $1,000)
Item
Direct labor
Variable cost
Fixed cost
Total direct labor cost (as reported in table III-10)
Other factory costs
Variable cost
Fixed cost
Total other factory costs (as reported in table III-10)
SG&A expenses
Variable cost
Fixed cost
Total SG&A expenses (as reported in table III-10)

Calendar year 2008 or most recently
completed fiscal year

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Page 14

PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION --Continued
III-12. Asset values.--Report the total assets associated with the production, warehousing, and
sale of subject tires. If your firm does not maintain some or all of the specific asset data in the
normal course of business, please estimate it based upon some rational method (such as
production, sales, or costs) that is consistent with your cost allocations in the previous question.
Your finished goods inventory value should reconcile with the inventory quantity data reported in
Part II. Provide data as of the end of your five most recently completed fiscal years in
chronological order from left to right.
Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item
Assets associated with the production,
warehousing, and sale of product:
1. Current assets:
A. Cash and equivalents
B. Accounts receivable, net
C. Inventories (finished goods)
D. Inventories (raw materials and work in
process)
E. Other (describe:

)

F. Total current assets (lines 1.A. through
1.E.)
2. Property, plant, and equipment
A. Original cost of property, plant, and
equipment
B. Less: Accumulated depreciation
C. Equals: Book value of property, plant,
and equipment
3. Other (describe:

)

4. Other (describe:

)

5. Total assets (lines 1.F., 2.C., 3 and 4)

III-13. Capital expenditures and research and development expenditures.--Report your firm’s
capital expenditures and research and development expenditures on subject tires. Provide data for
your five most recently completed fiscal years in chronological order from left to right.
Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item
Capital expenditures
Research and development expenditures

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Page 15

PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION --Continued
III-14. Since January 1, 2004, has your firm experienced any actual negative effects on its return
on investment or its growth, investment, ability to raise capital, existing development and
production efforts (including efforts to develop a derivative or more advanced version of the
product), or the scale of capital investments as a result of imports of subject tires from China?
No

Yes--My firm has experienced actual negative effects as follows:
Cancellation, postponement, or rejection of expansion projects
Denial or rejection of investment proposal
Reduction in the size of capital investments
Rejection of bank loans
Lowering of credit rating
Problem related to the issue of stocks or bonds
Other (specify)

III-15. Does your firm anticipate any negative impact of imports of subject tires from China?
No

Yes--My firm anticipates negative effects as follows:

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Subject tires

Page 16

PART IV.—PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from James Fetzer (202-708-5403,
[email protected])
IV-1.

Who should be contacted regarding the requested pricing and related information?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

E-mail address

PRICE DATA
This section requests quarterly quantity and value data, f.o.b. your U.S. point of shipment, for your
commercial shipments to unrelated U.S. customers during January 2004–December 2008 of the following
products produced by your firm.
Product 1.--Subject tires, tire size P225/60R16, 97-98 load index, speed ratings S or T, allseason grand touring/standard touring/passenger
Product 2.-- Subject tires, tire size P235/75R15, 105-108 load index, speed ratings S or T, allseason grand touring/standard touring/passenger
Product 3.-- Subject tires, tire size P205/65R15, 92-94 load index, speed ratings S, T, or H,
all-season grand touring/standard touring/passenger
Product 4.-- Subject tires, tire size P215/70R15, 97-98 load index, speed ratings S or T, allseason grand touring/standard touring/passenger
Product 5.-- Subject tires, tire size LT245/75R16, 111-116 load index, speed ratings R or S,
on/off-road all terrain
Product 6.-- Subject tires, tire size LT265/75R16, 112-116 load index, speed ratings R, S, or
T, on/off-road all terrain
Please note that total dollar values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include
U.S.-inland transportation costs. Total dollar values should reflect the final net amount paid to you
(i.e., should be net of all deductions for discounts or rebates). See instruction booklet.

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Page 17

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-2a. Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 produced and sold by your firm.
Please reports sales to OEMs and sales to the replacement market separately.

Sales to Replacement Market
(Quantity in 1,000 tires, value in 1,000 dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Quantity
Value

2004
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2005
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2006
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2007
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2008
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of
returned goods), f.o.b. your U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part IV.
Note.--If your product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product,
provide a description of your product:
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:

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Page 18

Sales to Replacement Market
(Quantity in 1,000 tires, value in 1,000 dollars)
Product 4
Product 5
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 6
Quantity
Value

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Page 19

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-2b. Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 produced and sold by your firm.
Please reports sales to OEMs and sales to the replacement market separately.

Sales to OEMs
(Quantity in 1,000 tires, value in 1,000 dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Quantity
Value

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Page 20

Sales to OEMs
(Quantity in 1,000 tires, value in 1,000 dollars)
Product 4
Product 5
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value

Product 6
Quantity
Value

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Page 21

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-3.

Please describe how your firm determines the prices that it charges for sales of subject tires
(transaction by transaction negotiation, contracts for multiple shipments, set price lists, etc.). If
your firm issues price lists, please include a copy of a recent price list with your submission. If
your price list is large, please submit sample pages.

IV-4.

Please describe your firm’s discount policy (quantity discounts, annual total volume discounts,
etc.).

IV-5.

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for its U.S.-produced subject tires (e.g., 2/10 net 30
days)?
. On what basis are your prices of domestic subject tires usually quoted
(e.g., f.o.b. warehouse, or delivered)?
.

IV-6.

Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of its U.S.-produced subject tires in 2008 were on
a (1) long-term contract basis (multiple deliveries for more than 12 months), (2) short-term
contract basis (multiple deliveries up to 12 months), and (3) spot sales basis (for a single
delivery)?
Type of sale

Share of sales (percent)

Long-term contracts
Short-term contracts
Spot sales
IV-7.

If you sell on a long-term contract basis, please answer the following questions with respect to
provisions of a typical long-term contract.
(a)

What is the average duration of a contract?

(b)

Can prices be renegotiated during the contract period?

(c)

Does the contract fix quantity, price, or both?

(d)

Does the contract have a meet or release provision?

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Page 22

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-8.

IV-9.

If you sell on a short-term contract basis, please answer the following questions with respect to
provisions of a typical short-term contract.
(a)

What is the average duration of a contract?

(b)

Can prices be renegotiated during the contract period?

(c)

Does the contract fix quantity, price, or both?

(d)

Does the contract have a meet or release provision?

What is the average lead time between a customer’s order and the date of delivery for your firm’s
sales of your U.S.-produced subject tires?

Source

Share of sales,
2008

Lead time

From inventory
Produced to order
Total

100 %

IV-10. (a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of subject tires that is
accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs?
percent.

(b)

Who generally arranges the transportation to your customers’ locations? (check one)
Your firm
or purchaser

(c)

What proportion of your sales occur within 100 miles of your storage or production
facility?
percent. Within 101 to 1,000 miles?
percent. Over 1,000 miles?
percent.

IV-11. What is the geographic market area in the United States served by your firm’s subject tires?
(check all that apply)
Northeast

Mid-Atlantic

Midwest

Southeast

Southwest

Rocky Mountains

West Coast

Northwest

National

Other (describe:

)

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Page 23

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-12. Describe the end uses of the subject tires that you manufacture. For each end-use product, what
percentage of the total cost is accounted for by subject tires?
End use

IV-13. (a)

Share of total cost (percent)

Can other products be substituted for subject tires?
No

Yes--Please list these substitute products in order of importance.

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(b)

For each possible substitute product, please give examples of applications and end uses
for which they are substitutes.

(c)

Have changes in the prices of these products affected the price for subject tires?
No

Yes--To what degree do changes in their prices affect the price for
subject tires? Does this effect have a time lag? If so, how long is the
time lag for each substitute product? Does this vary by type of subject
tires or final end use?

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Subject tires

Page 24

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-14. How has the demand within the United States (and outside the United States if known) for subject
tires changed since January 1, 2004? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased

No change

Decreased

IV-15. Have there been any significant changes in the product range or marketing of subject tires since
January 1, 2004?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

IV-16. Does your firm sell subject tires over the internet?
No

Yes-- Please describe, noting the estimated percentage of your firm’s total
sales of subject tires in 2008 accounted for by internet sales.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Subject tires

Page 25

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-17. Are subject tires produced in the United States and in other countries interchangeable (i.e., can
they physically be used in the same applications)? Please indicate below, using “A” to indicate
that the products from a specified country-pair are always interchangeable, “F” to indicate that
the products are frequently interchangeable, “S” to indicate that the products are sometimes
interchangeable, “N” to indicate that the products are never interchangeable, and “0” to indicate
no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair.1
Country-pair

United States

China

Other countries

United States
China
1

For any country-pair producing subject tires which is sometimes or never interchangeable, please
explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Subject tires

Page 26

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-18. Are differences other than price (i.e., quality, availability, transportation network, product range,
technical support, etc.) between subject tires produced in the United States and in other countries
a significant factor in your firm’s sales of the products? Please indicate below, using “A” to
indicate that such differences are always significant, “F” to indicate that such differences are
frequently significant, “S” to indicate that such differences are sometimes significant, “N” to
indicate that such differences are never significant, and “0” to indicate no familiarity with
products from a specified country-pair.1
Country-pair

United States

China

Other countries

United States
China
1

For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant factor in
your firm’s sales of subject tires, identify the country-pair and report the advantages or disadvantages
imparted by such factors:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Subject tires

Page 27

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-19. Please identify below the names and addresses of your firm’s 10 largest customers for subject
tires during 2004-2008. Please also provide the name and telephone number of a contact person
and the share of the quantity of your firm’s total shipments of subject tires that each of these
customers accounted for in 2008.

No.

Customer’s name

Street address (not P.O.
box), city, state, and zip
code

Contact person

Area
code and
telephone
number

Share of
2008
sales
(%)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Subject tires

Page 28

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-20. COMPETITION FROM IMPORTS--LOST REVENUES.-Since January 1, 2004: To avoid losing sales to competitors selling subject tires from China, did
your firm:
Reduce prices

Yes

Roll back announced price increases

Yes

If yes, please furnish as much of the following information as possible for each affected
transaction. Document such allegations of lost revenues whenever possible (documentation could
include copies of invoices, sales reports, or letters from customers). Please note that the
Commission may contact the firms named to verify the allegations reported.
Customer name, contact person, phone and fax numbers
Specific product(s) involved
Date of your initial price quotation
Quantity involved
Your initial rejected price quotation (total delivered value)
Your accepted price quotation (total delivered value)
The country of origin of the competing imported product
The competing price quotation of the imported product (total delivered value)
Customer name,
contact person,
phone and fax
numbers

Product

Date of
quote

Quantity
(number of
tires)

Initial
rejected U.S.
price (total
value-dollars)

Accepted
U.S. price
(total value-dollars)

Country of
origin

Competing
import price
(total
value—
dollars)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Subject tires

Page 29

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-21. COMPETITION FROM IMPORTS--LOST SALES
Since January 1, 2004: Did your firm lose sales of subject tires to imports of these products from
China?
No

Yes

If yes, please furnish as much of the following information as possible for each affected
transaction. Document such allegations of lost sales whenever possible (documentation could
include copies of invoices, sales reports, or letters from customers). Please note that the
Commission may contact the firms named to verify the allegations reported.
Customer name, contact person, phone and fax numbers
Specific product(s) involved
Date of your price quotation
Quantity involved
Your rejected price quotation (total delivered value)
The country of origin of the competing imported product
The accepted price quotation of the imported product (total delivered value)
Customer name,
contact person,
phone and fax
numbers

Product

Date of
quote

Quantity
(number of
tires)

Rejected
U.S. price
(total value-dollars)

Country of
origin

Competing
import price
(total
value—
dollars)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Subject tires

Page 30

PART V.-- COMPETITIVE EFFORTS AND ADJUSTMENTS IF RELIEF WERE TO BE
GRANTED
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Amy Sherman (202-205-3289,
[email protected]).
V-1.

Who should be contacted regarding the requested trade and related information?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

V-2.

E-mail address

Since January 1, 2004, has your firm undertaken any efforts to compete more effectively in the
U.S. market for subject tires? Such efforts might include any of the following: investments, cost
reductions with existing equipment, diversifications/expansions, new products or new
applications for existing products, organizational changes, changes in production practices,
marketing changes in U.S. and foreign markets, and/or other efforts.
No

Yes—Describe as indicated below:

(1) the type(s) of effort(s) that have been made by your firm and/or its workers since January 1,
2004 to compete more effectively, (2) the period (month(s) and year(s)) in which the effort was
made, (3) the total expenditure involved (in thousands of dollars), and (4) the effectiveness of
your efforts, including any competitive advantage acquired (i.e., increased production, cost
reduction, quality improvement, increased market share or sales, etc.). Attach additional pages if
necessary. If you feel that any of these efforts have been made primarily to compete with sales of
subject tires from China, please indicate this with an asterisk and give the reasons to support your
beliefs.

EFFORTS TO COMPETE

PERIOD

EXPENSE
($1,000)

EFFECTIVENESS OF
EFFORTS/COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
ACQUIRED

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Subject tires

Page 31

PART V.--COMPETITIVE EFFORTS AND ADJUSTMENTS IF RELIEF WERE TO BE
GRANTED—Continued

V-3.

In the event that the Commission should find market disruption to the U.S. industry producing
subject tires, what form of import relief would your firm support? Please rank the following in
order of preference from 1 (highest support) to 5 (least support):
Quota level (specify)
Increased tariff rate (specify)
Tariff rate quota level (specify)
Orderly marketing arrangements
Other (specify)
No restrictions (please check, if applicable)

V-4.

If you were to receive import relief as a result of this investigation, would your firm and/or its
workers make adjustments in your consumer tire operations (in addition to those that you have
described in V-2) that will permit you to compete more effectively with imports of subject tires
from China after such relief expires?
No

Yes—Describe these additional adjustment actions below. To the best of your
ability, quantify the expected improvement in your firm’s competitiveness vis-àvis imports from China.

EFFORTS TO COMPETE

PERIOD

EXPENSE
($1,000)

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE TO BE
ACQUIRED

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	Microsoft Word - Tires - US Producer Questionnaire.doc
Author	nathanael.comly
File Modified	2009-04-23
File Created	2009-04-23