General Tire Tires

A Century of Innovation and Resilience

General Tire, a name synonymous with durability and performance, has left an indelible mark on the tire industry for over a century. Founded in 1915 in Akron, Ohio—the “rubber capital of the world”—General Tire’s journey is one of innovation, diversification, and adaptation to changing markets. From its humble beginnings as a small tire manufacturer to its current status as a respected brand under Continental AG, General Tire’s history reflects the evolution of the American automotive industry and beyond.

The Founding Years: A Vision for Quality

General Tire & Rubber Company was established on September 29, 1915, by William F. O’Neil and Winfred E. Fouse, two entrepreneurs with a shared dream of producing high-quality tires. O’Neil, a native of Akron, had previously operated a Firestone franchise in Kansas City, Missouri, under the Western Tire & Rubber Company, which focused on tire repair products. Frustrated by Firestone’s expansion of franchises that reduced his territory, O’Neil decided to compete directly with the industry giant. With financial backing from his father, Michael O’Neil, a wealthy department store owner, and a team that included former Firestone managers, O’Neil and Fouse launched General Tire with $200,000 in capital.

From the outset, General Tire distinguished itself by focusing on premium replacement tires rather than supplying original equipment to automakers. The company began with tire repair materials but quickly expanded into manufacturing in 1916, targeting high-end products for passenger cars and trucks. In 1917, O’Neil invested heavily in advertising, spending $5,000 on a full-page ad in The Saturday Evening Post to appeal directly to car owners—an unconventional strategy for a tire company at the time. This innovative marketing approach, coupled with a nationwide network of independent dealers, helped General Tire gain traction in a crowded market of over 300 tire manufacturers.

Early Innovations and Growth

General Tire quickly established itself as a technology leader. In 1920, the company introduced the “General Jumbo,” a low-pressure tire designed for superior mileage and maneuverability, which became a hit among car owners. By the mid-1920s, General Tire revolutionized the industry with the General Balloon Jumbo, a low-pressure tire operating at just 12 psi, offering a smoother ride for passenger cars. The company also pioneered the “blowout-proof” Dual Balloon tire and rubber flaps for truck tires, cementing its reputation as an innovator.

The 1920s saw General Tire expand its dealer network, positioning itself as a premium brand. By 1923, the company achieved its first $1 million in sales after taxes, a remarkable feat just eight years after its founding. Despite the economic challenges of World War I, General Tire turned a profit in its first year and continued to grow, focusing on truck tires as the commercial transportation sector expanded.

The Great Depression of the 1930s posed significant challenges, but General Tire’s resilience shone through. While many competitors folded, General acquired struggling companies like Yale Tire and Rubber and India Tire and Rubber, increasing its market share to 2.7% by 1933—a notable achievement given its limited product line. The company also ventured into new markets, producing airplane tires and exporting globally, with a subsidiary established in Mexico. However, profitability remained elusive during this decade, with survival itself a testament to the company’s vitality.

World War II and Post-War Expansion

World War II marked a turning point for General Tire. In 1943, the company’s research team solved a 40-year-old problem by developing the “carbon black–latex masterbatch” process, enhancing tire durability and lifespan. To meet wartime demand, General Tire opened a state-of-the-art plant in Waco, Texas, in November 1944, producing truck tires, rafts, and specialized balloons for the U.S. Army and Navy. This plant helped alleviate a critical tire shortage and solidified General’s role as a key supplier. By January 1945, the Waco facility was producing 2,500 passenger car tires daily, and by 1954, it had doubled in size to produce 6,000 tires daily for various applications.

After the war, General Tire shifted focus to consumer and industrial products. In 1934, the company secured an original equipment (OE) contract with International Harvester, and by the end of the 1930s, every major U.S. truck manufacturer had General tires on its OE list. In 1955, General Tire entered the passenger car OE market as a supplier for General Motors, followed by other major automakers. To meet growing demand, General opened new plants in Mayfield, Kentucky (1959), Bryan, Ohio (1967), Charlotte, North Carolina (1967), and Mt. Vernon, Illinois (1973), while closing the outdated Waco facility in 1985. The Mt. Vernon plant remains a significant production hub, manufacturing around 3 million tires annually.

Diversification Beyond Tires

General Tire’s ambitions extended far beyond tire manufacturing. During the Depression, the company purchased Ohio radio stations to advertise its products, marking its first foray into media. In 1943, General acquired a controlling interest in the Yankee Network, followed by the national Mutual Broadcasting System and the Don Lee Broadcasting System in 1950. In 1952, General bought WOR radio and TV stations in New York City, forming General Teleradio. The pinnacle of its entertainment ventures came in 1955 with the $25 million acquisition of RKO Radio Pictures from Howard Hughes. General Tire sold RKO’s film library for $15.2 million and the Hollywood lot to Desilu Productions for $6 million, recouping most of its investment. The remaining RKO assets merged into RKO General, but unethical conduct at its television stations led to a decades-long licensing dispute, forcing RKO General out of broadcasting by 1991.

General Tire also diversified into aerospace, chemicals, plastics, and real estate. In the late 1930s, its subsidiary Aerojet, formed by Caltech engineers, won a U.S. Army contract to produce rocket engines, later becoming Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings. By 1984, General Tire had transformed into a conglomerate under GenCorp, Inc., with holdings in tires, rubber compounds (DiversiTech General), broadcasting (RKO General), and aerospace (Aerojet).

Acquisition by Continental AG and Modern Era

In 1987, facing a hostile takeover attempt, GenCorp restructured and sold its tire division to Continental AG, a German tire manufacturer, for a reported $600 million. The acquisition gave Continental a strong foothold in North America, the world’s largest tire market. General Tire continued to operate as a separate entity, retaining its brand identity and headquarters in Akron until 1996, when it relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina. The company was renamed Continental General Tire, Inc. in 1995 and later Continental Tire the Americas, LLC in 2010, but the General Tire brand persists.

Under Continental’s ownership, General Tire has focused on high-quality tires for passenger cars, SUVs, trucks, and off-road applications. The brand is renowned for its 4x4 and all-terrain tires, such as the Grabber series, and continues to innovate with technologies like Duragen, 3D Sipe, and Monitor Technology. Key product launches include the Altimax RT and HP/UHP (2007), Grabber GT (2013), Grabber HTS 60 (2015), and Grabber GT Plus (2021). General Tire also expanded its truck tire portfolio into the Middle East and Africa with the ADDAX line in 2017 and introduced earthmoving and material-handling tires in 2019.

While General Tire maintains a manufacturing presence in the U.S., particularly at the Mt. Vernon, Illinois plant, many of its tires are now produced in Europe, Brazil, and other Continental facilities worldwide. The brand remains a value-oriented option, offering high-quality products at competitive prices, backed by Continental’s technological expertise.

Legacy and Centennial Celebration

In 2015, General Tire celebrated its centennial, marking 100 years of reliability and innovation. The company highlighted its American heritage and its evolution into a global brand under Continental. General Tire’s sponsorships, including NASCAR’s ARCA series, Major League Fishing, and off-road racing events, underscore its commitment to performance and adventure.

From pioneering low-pressure tires to diversifying into entertainment and aerospace, General Tire’s history is a testament to its adaptability and forward-thinking approach. As it navigates the challenges of the modern tire industry, General Tire continues to deliver robust, reliable products for drivers worldwide, proving that “Anywhere is Possible” with General Tire.