Welcome to the Thursday edition of Modern Tire Dealer's e-News Hotwire. Today's top news: The International Rubber Consortium has asked Vietnam to join the group. Industry analyst Saul Ludwig looks at how that would affect our industry. In other international news, Brazil raises tariffs on U.S. tire exports. The next edition of the MTD e-News Hotwire will be sent on Monday. Be sure to check out www.moderntiredealer.com. for continual updates. Don't forget to check out MTD's exclusive tire industry stock ticker below!

Also, be sure to swing by www.TireDealerJobFinder.com, your one-stop shop for career opportunities in the tire industry! Whether you're looking for a job or looking to hire new people, this is the place! Post your resume or a job opening today!

The International Rubber Consortium (IRC) has asked Vietnam to join existing members Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia -- the three largest natural rubber exporters in the world.

In retaliation for the way the United States has treated its cotton exports, the Brazilian government has raised import duties on an extensive list of goods, including tires. And the World Trade Organization (WTO) has authorized the sanctions, which could total as much as $829 million.

Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. reports the company’s president, Masaharu Yoshimoto, will be retiring at the end of March, and that Takashi Shimizu has been appointed its president effective April 1.

"In case you didn't notice, tire shipments to OEM auto manufacturers rose a whopping 26% in December, and this strength is expected to continue through the first quarter of 2010, at least," says Saul Ludwig in the latest installment of the "Ludwig Report" in Modern Tire Dealer magazine.

More companies have officially announced recalls of size 245/70R17 SUV tires manufactured by Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. in Texarkana, Ark. According to Cooper, the total number of defective tires is 7,769.

TIREMAX of North America is now selling retail tire franchises to Texans.

Becker Tire & Treading Inc. has received a 35 year service award from Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions.

CustomerLink Systems Inc., which promotes exclusive Customer Retention Marketing (CRM) programs for the automotive service and repair industry, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Yokohama Tire Corp. will introduce its latest all-position waste and sanitation tire, the MY627W, at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS), March 25-27 at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, Ky.

Titan International Inc.'s new Goodyear Special Sure Grip TD-8 Radial R-2 tire was designed to address the specific needs of the rice and cane markets. It is available in size 480/80R50.

Kumho Tire Co.'s eco-friendly touring tire, the eco Solus HM, is formulated to be less impactful on the environment while delivering top performance, the company says. It is the first offering in a series of eco-friendly products from the company.

Tire Group International Inc. has launched its premium radial truck tire line under the Cosmo brand name.

Haweka USA will be showcasing the company's new heavy-duty truck alignment system, the AXIS 4000, at this year’s 2010 Mid-America Truck Show in Louisville, Ky., on March 25-27 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

Are your tire fill rates exceptional, acceptable or just plain horrible? That's what Modern Tire Dealer wants to know.

Exhibitors from across the aftermarket continue to sign up for October’s Brityrex International exhibition, with both familiar names and new brands "seeking to capitalize on sales opportunities from a post-recession tire and equipment marketplace," the organizers state.

More than 80% of booth space has already been purchased for the upcoming China International Tire Expo (Citexpo 2010) to be held in Shanghai, China, this Sept. 8-10.

Here’s your dilemma: due to the ongoing recession, your budget for capital improvements is the same as last year — nil. That means no new service bays or machinery for your garage.

It’s been a tough environment for retreading, and the numbers show it. According to Modern Tire Dealer’s 2010 Facts Issue, published last month, an estimated 13 million retreaded medium and heavy truck tires were produced in the U.S. last year vs. 14.7 million medium and heavy truck tire retreads produced in the U.S. during 2008.

More tire dealership software products and services mean more options for tire dealers. What’s the most important function provided by tire shop software? We recently posed that question to several dealers.