Magazine for the professional tire industry
Issue link: https://mtd.epubxp.com/i/148910
Tire sizes Tire sizes show a trend of migrating from exotica to more mainstream makes and models over a shorter duration of time in the global marketplace of today. 245/40R19 — Tis size was frst introduced on the 2003 Jaguar XK8, followed by the freshly resurrected BMW 6 Series in 2004. Ten came Ferrari, Maserati and Mercedes-Benz in 2005. It was business as usual in exotic UHP summer land until 2009-2010 when aspiration luxury makes like Acura and Infniti, plus more bourgeois brands like Nissan and Pontiac, adopted the size in all-season form. Since then the Buick LaCrosse and Regal, Chevy Malibu, Hyundai Azera and Kia Cadenza have all come to the party. Unless a dealer had a thriving UHP business or a rich mix of customers, they would be hard pressed to fnd a reason to stock this size at all just a couple years ago. Now with Buick and Nissan/Infniti in the frst replacement cycle and Chevy, Hyundai and Kia with new ftments, it is time to seriously think about this size. You'll need to look at the all-season UHP or performance touring categories; a W-rated tire gives you the most coverage there. Te Maserati guys can special order. www.moderntiredealer.com 235/45R18 — Once an oddball summer ftment on the ill-fated Infiniti M45 and then as the front only ftment on the uber-rare Ford GT, this size seemed doomed from the start. However, in 2008 it popped up on the new Mitsubishi Eclipse and Galant, Saab 9-3 and Honda Accord EX-L Coupe. Not a list of world-beaters, but collectively noteworthy given their all-season treads. Now with Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Buick Verano, Mazda6, VW Passat/ Beetle, 2013 Honda Accord sedan and Lexus GS sporting ftments, this size is about to get hot. Tis reminds me of 225/50R17 a few years ago — not much to talk about from a volume standpoint, then it got on the Fusion and Accord and ramped up quickly. Tis is another one to watch for V-rated all-season performance or touring. You don't want customers walking out on this sale. New: advanced product screen Tese last three sizes are a bit riskier than the other sizes discussed so far. Tey are newer to the market, with a narrower 49