General Tire
American tire brand founded in 1915 and owned by Continental AG since 1987.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
General Tire is an American tire brand whose origins trace to Akron, Ohio, one of the historic centers of the United States tire industry. The business was established on September 29, 1915, as The General Tire & Rubber Company by William Francis O'Neil, Winfred E. Fouse, Charles J. Jahant, Robert Iredell, and H. B. Pushee. Initial financing came from Michael O'Neil, William Francis O'Neil's father, who operated O'Neil's Department Store in Akron. The company developed from William O'Neil's earlier experience in tire retailing and the manufacture of tire-repair materials. The company initially concentrated on rubber repair products, but moved into tire manufacturing in 1916. Its early strategy emphasized higher-value tires rather than an exceptionally broad product range. During the difficult economic conditions surrounding the First World War, General Tire built a dealer network and began national advertising. By 1930, it operated 14 retail stores and held a reported 1.8 percent share of the U.S. tire market. During the Great Depression, it acquired Yale Tire and Rubber Company and India Tire and Rubber Company, increasing its reported market share to approximately 2.7 percent by 1933. General Tire later became much more than a tire manufacturer. In the mid-20th century, the company diversified into broadcasting and entertainment, as well as tennis balls, wrought-iron products, soft drinks, chemicals, plastics, and other industrial activities. Its broadcasting interests expanded through acquisitions including the Yankee Network, Don Lee Broadcasting System, and WOR in New York. In 1955, the company acquired RKO Radio Pictures, primarily to obtain programming content for its television properties. These media holdings eventually operated under RKO General, while the company's aerospace activities developed through Aerojet General, a business connected to rocket-engine and aerospace manufacturing. The corporate structure was reorganized in 1984, when General Tire's industrial, chemical, plastics, aerospace, and broadcasting activities were placed under GenCorp, Inc. The tire division was sold to German manufacturer Continental AG in 1987 during a broader restructuring intended partly to resist a hostile takeover attempt. Following the transaction, the tire business operated for a period as Continental General Tire Corp. and was subsequently incorporated into Continental's North American tire operations. Today, General Tire is a Continental-owned sub-brand rather than an independent publicly traded tire company. Its range is associated principally with replacement tires for passenger vehicles, light trucks, sport-utility vehicles, off-road applications, commercial trucks, and selected specialty uses. The Grabber family is particularly associated with pickup, SUV, all-terrain, mud-terrain, and off-road driving, while the Altimax family serves passenger-car and touring applications. Product availability and naming vary by market. The brand's historical identity is rooted in American manufacturing and dealer distribution, while its present product development, manufacturing, and commercial organization are part of Continental's global tire business.
History
General Tire began in Akron, Ohio, in 1915, when William Francis O'Neil and four associates established The General Tire & Rubber Company with capital supplied by Michael O'Neil. William O'Neil had previously operated a Firestone dealership in Kansas City, Missouri, and had established businesses making and distributing tire-repair materials. His dissatisfaction with the way Firestone reduced the territories of earlier franchisees encouraged him to compete directly in tire manufacturing and distribution. The new company initially followed the repair-materials model, but entered tire production in 1916. It recruited experienced personnel from the established tire industry and concentrated on higher-end products. In 1917, despite the difficult wartime commercial environment, General Tire created a dealership network and launched an advertising program. The company remained comparatively selective in its product range. By 1930, it had 14 retail stores and approximately 1.8 percent of the U.S. tire market. The Depression created severe pressure throughout the industry, but General Tire used the period to acquire Yale Tire and Rubber Company and India Tire and Rubber Company. Its reported market share reached about 2.7 percent by 1933. After the Second World War, General Tire progressively diversified. Its activities expanded beyond tires into rubber and industrial products, tennis balls, wrought iron, soft drinks, chemicals, plastics, and eventually motion-picture and video production. Broadcasting became especially important. In 1943, the company purchased the Yankee Network and associated radio stations. It acquired the Don Lee Broadcasting System in 1950 and, in 1952, purchased WOR radio and television assets in New York. These properties were combined in General Teleradio. The company then purchased RKO Radio Pictures from Howard Hughes in 1955. General Tire was mainly interested in RKO's film library as a source of television programming; the Hollywood studio lot was sold to Desilu Productions in 1956. The remaining interests were integrated into the RKO General organization. The company also developed a major aerospace connection. Aerojet, founded by California Institute of Technology engineers, partnered with General Tire to obtain capital, materials expertise, rubber-binder knowledge, and chemical manufacturing capability. The resulting Aerojet General business became a significant part of the wider corporate group. By 1984, the broad collection of tire, industrial, chemical, plastics, aerospace, and broadcasting businesses had been placed under the GenCorp, Inc. holding company. GenCorp undertook a large restructuring in 1987, partly in response to a hostile takeover attempt by General Acquisition, Inc. The tire division, General Tire, was sold to Continental AG. It became Continental General Tire Corp. before being incorporated into Continental's later North American tire structure. Other GenCorp activities followed separate paths: the compounds operation was spun off and became OMNOVA Solutions, while the aerospace business remained within the corporate lineage that eventually became Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings. Under Continental ownership, General Tire continued as a consumer and commercial tire brand rather than as a standalone conglomerate. Its modern assortment is centered on passenger vehicles, light trucks, SUVs, off-road vehicles, and commercial trucks. Grabber products are strongly associated with pickup, SUV, all-terrain, and mud-terrain applications; Altimax products are associated with passenger-car and touring use. The brand's current market presence and product portfolio are managed within Continental's global tire organization, and availability differs by country and vehicle segment.
- 1991
RKO General exits broadcasting
[1]After a long licensing dispute connected with alleged unethical conduct at television stations, RKO General is forced out of the broadcasting business.
- 1987
Continental AG acquires the tire division
[1]GenCorp sells General Tire to Continental AG, transforming the brand into part of Continental's tire operations.
- 1984
GenCorp holding-company structure is created
[1]General Tire's principal business divisions are reorganized as subsidiaries of GenCorp, Inc.
- 1955
RKO Radio Pictures is acquired
[1]The company buys RKO Radio Pictures to obtain film-library content for its television operations.
- 1952
WOR assets join General Teleradio
[1]General Tire acquires WOR radio and television interests in New York and combines its broadcasting properties under General Teleradio.
- 1950
Don Lee Broadcasting System is acquired
[1]The company expands its radio holdings on the U.S. West Coast through the purchase of the Don Lee Broadcasting System.
- 1943
Entry into broadcasting
[1]General Tire purchases the Yankee Network and its radio interests, beginning a major expansion beyond tire manufacturing.
- 1933
Depression-era acquisitions increase market share
[1]Acquisitions of Yale Tire and Rubber Company and India Tire and Rubber Company help raise General Tire's reported market share to about 2.7 percent.
- 1930
General Tire reaches 14 retail stores
[1]The company operates 14 retail stores and holds approximately 1.8 percent of the U.S. tire market.
- 1917
Dealer distribution and advertising expand
[1]General Tire establishes a dealership network and begins an organized advertising campaign.
Products and positioning
A Continental-owned tire brand with an American heritage, positioned around durability, dependable road performance, and specialized capability for trucks, SUVs, passenger vehicles, and off-road use.
Light-truck, SUV, all-terrain, and off-road tires
Grabber
Grabber is General Tire's best-known family for pickup trucks, SUVs, and off-road-oriented vehicles. The range covers applications from highway and mixed-use driving to all-terrain and mud-terrain conditions. Depending on the specific model and market, Grabber tires emphasize traction, casing durability, handling stability, and resistance to the demands of rough surfaces. Product specifications and model availability vary by region.
Passenger-car and touring tires
Altimax
Altimax is a passenger-vehicle tire family associated with touring, highway, and everyday road use. Models in the family are intended for drivers seeking a balance of wet and dry-road control, ride comfort, tread life, and year-round usability. The exact lineup differs by vehicle fitment and market, and some versions are designed for seasonal or winter conditions.
Commercial vehicle tires
Commercial and semi-truck tires
General Tire has historically manufactured tires for trucks and semi-trucks. Commercial products are designed for heavier vehicle loads, extended road operation, and fleet requirements such as mileage, casing serviceability, traction, and operating-cost control. Specific commercial ranges and branding have changed over time as the business became integrated with Continental's broader North American tire organization.
Controversies
1991
RKO General television licensing dispute
General Tire's diversified corporate group became entangled in a lengthy regulatory dispute over alleged unethical conduct at RKO General television stations. The matter contributed to the loss of broadcast licenses and the eventual exit of RKO General from the television business. This episode concerned the broadcasting division rather than the tire products themselves.
Brand decisions
1987
Sell the tire division to Continental AGM&ABackground
GenCorp undertook a large restructuring while also seeking to address a hostile takeover attempt by General Acquisition, Inc.
Action taken
GenCorp sold General Tire to Continental AG.
Aftermath
General Tire became part of Continental's North American tire business and continued as a brand rather than an independent conglomerate.
1984
Reorganize the diversified group under GenCorpStrategyBackground
General Tire had become a conglomerate with tire, industrial, chemical, plastics, aerospace, and broadcasting interests.
Action taken
The operating divisions were placed under GenCorp, Inc. as subsidiaries.
Aftermath
The holding-company structure preceded a major restructuring and the 1987 sale of the tire division to Continental AG.
1943
Diversify into broadcastingStrategyBackground
The company had acquired radio stations for advertising and viewed broadcasting as a way to broaden its business beyond manufacturing.
Action taken
General Tire purchased the Yankee Network and associated radio properties.
Aftermath
The acquisition initiated a large broadcasting and entertainment portfolio that later included RKO Radio Pictures.
1916
Move from repair materials into tire manufacturingStrategyBackground
The company was initially built around tire-repair materials and the founders' experience in tire retailing and distribution.
Action taken
General Tire began manufacturing tires and focused its early range on higher-end products.
Aftermath
The move established the tire business that became the company's core industrial division and later its principal asset.
Recent events
Synchrony and Continental Tire expand partnership to General Tire financing[2]
Reported:
Synchrony and Continental Tire announced an expansion of their strategic partnership to include financing options at General Tire.
Sources2 sources
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