Magazine for the professional tire industry
Issue link: https://mtd.epubxp.com/i/394657
MTD October 2014 P-metric light truck tires purchased by OE replacement customers. If you look at the OE data for the last 10 years, the ftments on light trucks have run about 80% to 90% P-metric vs. LT-metric. The replacement market follows very closely what we are seeing on the OE side. Abram, Yokohama: Tis is a broad question, as P-metric light truck tires could be all-terrain, highway terrain or a more touring-like design as found on many crossover SUVs. It's unlikely that consumers needing these diferent tire types for diferent vehicle types would be similar. With regard to consumers who buy highway terrain tires, they look for reliability, quality and durability above all else, but all-season traction and ride quality is also important. So we designed the Geolander H/T G056's tread (with an) advanced compound for durability, Triple 3D sipes for even wear and all-season traction and Adaptive Shoulder Blocks to combat noise as the tire wears. MTD: What is your company's newest P-metric light truck tire? Mathis, Aturo: Aturo is adding P- metric sizes to the Trail Blade All Terrain and AZ600 touring model. We are also including P-metric sizes in future product development. Te new sizes in the Trail Blade A/T will include 11 new sizes from 16 to 20 inches in diameter. Te AZ600 will add a further six 16- to 20-inch sizes. Hayes, Bridgestone: Bridge- stone's newest P-metric light truck tire ofering is the Dueler H/L Alenza Plus, which is spe- cially designed to give drivers of premium SUVs, CUVs and light trucks a longer-lasting luxury driving experience. Te Dueler H/L Alenza Plus ofers a segment-leading 80,000- mile tread wear limited warranty. Tis tire also features a quiet ride, EverBlack sidewall that preserves the appearance over time, our trusted Eco-Product designation and improved fuel efciency, all features that many of today's consumers are looking for in a light truck tire. Coltrane, CMA: CMA will 5 key consumer qualities When asked, "How would you defne the con- sumer who buys P-metric light truck tires?" Jim Davis, manager of public relations for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., came up with fve attributes. He says they: 1. drive a lot, "to work, for work (and) kids' activities." 2. have an active lifestyle, "often an outdoor recreation focus on the weekends." 3. depend on their truck and take care of it. 4. go off-road for a purpose. And the fifth? "Their vehicle is always ready," he adds. The Open Country A/T II all-terrain is backed by a 65,000-mile limited tread wear warranty and Toyo's "No Regrets" 45-day, 500-mile trial offer. Yokohama's newest highway ter- rain tire, the Geolander H/T G056, launched on Sept. 1, 2014. It's avail- able in 38 sizes; 27 are P-metric. 24 24