Andrew R Stewart 

With the globalization of our industry being able to use an Asian tire on a Euro rim (or pick your own brand/country of origin) has become even more vital for consumer happiness and safety. ETRTO and ISO are attempts to better give manufactures and designers the foundation for greater options and ability to spec and expect compatibility. Any one who was around in the 1970s (or before) in our industry knows the cost of no standards. The Southerland's Manual was in the forefront of trying to establish the old dimensional practices, check it out sometime. But like before then today's designers want to stand out from the crowd. To produce a product that has mass appeal but no aftermarket supply other then that of the designer's manufacturing. Back in the day it was more about national markets then these days. Having standards allow a manufacturer the faith in investing is a dimensional spec, to produce a product and be able to recoup their development costs.

There's no one saying that you can't come up with your own standards/specs and if the market agrees it will become one more option. If the market votes otherwise then your spec is one more short lived attempt lost to time. Andy (and I haven't begun to include the legal department yet)