Dunlop chief slams California tire efficiency mandate as another costly flop

California’s Energy Commission has issued a directive that would make an estimated 70 % of replacement tires illegal by 2033 in an effort to improve fuel efficiency. Darren Thomas, the chief executive of Dunlop, which operates out of California, publicly compared the regulation to the state’s infamous high-speed-rail initiative, labeling both as examples of misguided government planning. Thomas warned that the mandated “more efficient” tires could ignore real-world market forces and potentially increase prices for drivers.

The proposal has ignited a grassroots revolt, with consumers and manufacturers alike criticizing the commission’s authority to impose such standards. Thomas’s remarks highlight broader concerns about regulatory approaches that prioritize environmental targets without accounting for economic impact. The controversy underscores ongoing tension between California’s aggressive climate policies and business interests.