Magazine for the professional tire industry
Issue link: https://mtd.epubxp.com/i/394657
"We believe that it is an important segment in the industry as more drivers divert from the traditional utilization of light truck vehicles. Tese drivers are demanding the vehicles and tire manufacturers to provide beter comfort and improve fuel economy." Ironically, as tire technology advances, the gap between P-metric and LT tires has narrowed. Ken Coltrane, vice president of consumer tires for China Manufacturers Alliance LLC, believes the gap is inconsequential. "To me, P-metric light truck doesn't make sense anymore. A light truck tire is a light truck tire. "A P-metric tire encompasses so much now. Te P275/65R118 on a Ford F-150 has a load index of 114. Tat's higher than the LT275/65R18 113 on the 4x4 version, which has a stronger sidewall designed for a work environment." Goodyear refers to the segment as All-Terrain, which encompasses Standard Load (i.e., P-metric) and LT tires intended for use on SUVs and pickups. "As with any segment, the tires correspond with the vehicles," says Jim Davis, manager of Goodyear public relations. "In the case of pickups, for example, there is a recent popularity in larger trucks, and tire lineups must include load ratings and sizes that correspond. Still, earlier-model pickups and SUVs remain on the road, and tire oferings must refect that, too." MTD: What is the current trend in this market segment? Michael Mathis, Aturo: Te P-metric light truck segment is rather stagnant at the moment. Tere is not a lot of advancement in new sizes or applications. Justin Hayes, Bridgestone: Te light truck/SUV/ CUV vehicle segment is a dynamic, large and growing segment. Nearly 52% of the more than 252 million vehicles in operation in the U.S. comprise this segment. Te trends are infuenced by shifs in the vehicle mix as consumers change from SUVs to CUVs. Ken Coltrane, CMA: More SKUs. Barry Terzaken, Continental: Vehicles in this segment continue to raise the bar by providing un- precedented levels of comfort, luxury and exceptional handling, while delivering the utility customers need. Tis atractive blend of pleasure and function drive growth of the segment, while improved performance expectations place increased demands on the vehicle's tires. Don Reindl, Falken: Longer mileage and winter traction increases are areas where we see the most ef- fort. We also see an evolution of tire sizes as the CUVs become more and more popular. Larger rim diameters up to 19 and 20 inches are increasing in use as well. Jim Davis, Goodyear: Te segment is growing. And the expectations of consumers in this segment are growing. Tey want of-road capability with on-road manners, toughness for towing and hauling loads, wet traction, of-road traction (and) tread life. Henry Kopacz, Hankook: Much like other market segments, consumers (with light trucks) are interested in comfort and fuel efciency. While rolling resistance may not be a household term just yet, because of ever increasing fuel prices, consumers are coming to realize the value that lower rolling resistance and low rolling resistance tires can provide them. Steven Liu, Hercules: We have seen substantial growth of P-metric light truck tires on the replacement side in the last 10 years. Replacement size prolifera- tion will continue as evident in OE size proliferation in P-metric. S.B. Kim, Kumho: Manufacturers continue to keep P-metric light truck sizing available in the all-terrain/ highway-terrain segments of the market in order to cater to consumer needs. Stephen Ewing, Pirelli: With CUV sales far outpacing auto sales overall in terms of growth rate, the market for P- and euro-metric light truck tires is growing signifcantly. We are also seeing more and more CUVs come OE with H-, V- and even W-rated tires. Jon Vance, TBC: From a tire performance and attribute standpoint, obviously with the majority of OE crossover and SUV ftments now ofered in a myriad of 17-inch to 20-inch rim diameters across an increasing breadth of aspect ratios, the trend toward larger and broader sizing is one that is here to stay. But the driving habits and performance requirements of today's consumers are also guiding the development of products in these segments. Most of us live in urban areas, and consumers want a tire that can complement the "start and stop" demands of their daily commutes and lifestyles, meaning all condition traction, ride quality, durability and handling capabilities closer to a performance tire than a traditional light truck tire. Even tread designs are being impacted, as traditional fve-rib designs or all-position paterns are being tweaked with asymmetrical or performance-specifc elements being incorporated into the tread for maximum utility that