General Tire

General Tire The Tire Shoppe – Ferndale, MI

The General Tire & Rubber Company was founded in 1915 in Akron, Ohio, USA, with the primary goal of manufacturing tires for motor vehicles. The company was established by William F. O’Neil, an American entrepreneur who played a key role in shaping the early tire industry.

As the company grew, General Tire expanded far beyond tire manufacturing. Over the years, it became involved in multiple industries, including rubber compounds, aeronautics, rocketry, real estate, and even media and entertainment, making it one of the most diversified American manufacturing companies of its time.

Acquisition & Evolution

Despite its success, the company eventually chose to sell its tire and rubber division. In 1987, Continental AG, a German-based tire manufacturer, acquired General Tire’s tire operations. Following the acquisition, the brand became known as Continental Tire North America, Inc.

The Vision of William F. O’Neil

Before founding General Tire, William F. O’Neil operated a Firestone franchise in Kansas City. Over time, he became dissatisfied with Firestone’s franchise-based business model. Rather than continuing under another company’s structure, O’Neil chose a bold path—to compete directly.

Partnering with his father, O’Neil founded The General Tire Company in 1915. Together, they recruited experienced managers from Firestone and initially focused on tire repair materials, leveraging their prior industry knowledge.

General Tire Today The Tire Shoppe – Ferndale, MI

General Tire continues to be known for producing reliable tires designed for all seasons and multiple driving conditions. One of the brand’s most popular modern offerings is the General G-MAX AS-03, an Ultra High Performance All-Season Tire built for drivers who want sporty handling without sacrificing year-round usability.

General G-MAX AS-03 – Ultra High Performance All-Season Tire

The G-MAX AS-03 is engineered for sport sedans, performance coupes, and sports cars, delivering confident handling and strong grip. This tire performs effectively in dry, wet, snowy, icy, and cold weather conditions, making it a versatile choice for everyday driving in changing climates.

To support long tread life and consistent performance, the G-MAX AS-03 features:

Reinforced shoulder blocks for improved stability
Directional tread pattern for enhanced water evacuation
Continuous center rib for straight-line control
Independent intermediate blocks for responsive handling
3D sipes that improve traction in winter and slippery conditions

These design elements help provide durability, control, and year-round confidence, especially for drivers of sporty and higher-performance vehicles.

General Tire’s Ongoing Legacy

Despite facing challenges throughout its long history, General Tire has consistently adapted and succeeded through innovation and quality engineering. The company introduced products that set new standards in the tire industry and created competition that helped advance tire technology as a whole.

Tiresshoppe Ferndale General Tire Brands

General Tire G-MAX RS
General Tire G-MAX AS-05
General Tire G-MAX AS-03
General Tire GRABBER UHP
General Tire EXCLAIM
General Tire GRABBER
General Tire GRABBER APT
General Tire GRABBER HTS60
General Tire GRABBER UHP
General Tire GRABBER HTS
General Tire GRABBER X3
General Tire GRABBER AT2
General Tire GRABBER HD
General Tire ALTIMAX ARCTIC 12

General Tire ALTIMAX ARTIC
General Tire ARTIC LT
General Tire GRABBER ARTIC
General Tire GENERAL WT
General Tire GENERAL HS
General Tire GENERAL HD
General Tire GENERAL HT
General Tire D660
General Tire GENERAL RA
General Tire GENERAL RD
General Tire OA
General Tire OA WB
General Tire GRABBER OD

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