AutoWeek reports that auromakers are having problems getting tires and those they are able to secure they havce had to pay "double digit percentage increases" from a year ago. Apparently tire plants are running at maximum capacity and can't keep up. The shortage is expected to last over a year. Continental Tires will build two new plants in order to try and meet demand. According to Bridgestone, "[s]ince 2005, the combined prices of natural and synthetic rubber, carbon black, steel cord, fabric and other materials have risen nearly every year, with jumps of 56 percent in 2010, and 47 percent in 2009.
