Magazine for the professional tire industry
Issue link: https://mtd.epubxp.com/i/762675
MTD December 2016 Focus on industry 2. The Firestone Transforce AT2 will launch in April to replace the Transforce AT line. e company said the tire outperforms its predecessor in all categories. It will be available in 16 sizes ranging from LT215/85R16 to LT275/65R20. Seidel said the tire will provide coverage for 95% of the light truck tire market. 3. e Firestone Destination M/T2 is coming in July and will succeed the current Destination line. It features a new tread compound, three-ply sidewall construction, and more aggressive upper sidewall lugs. It will come in 29 sizes ranging from LT235/75R15 to 37x13.50R22.5LT. e tire is engineered for SUVs and pickup trucks. 4. e Firestone Winterforce 2 and Winterforce 2 UV will launch in July. e tires are studdable and feature a 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake designation. ey will provide a 14% increase in coverage from the previous Winterforce line and will come in 52 sizes, ranging from 185/65R14 to P275/65R18. On the Bridgestone side, a new Dueler H/T 685 heavy-duty light truck tire line will launch in March. It will be fied on the original equipment side and will replace several previous Dueler lines to simplify inventory for dealers on the replace- ment side. e tire will come in 17 sizes and offers coverage for 96% of the light truck tire market, said Seidel. e sizes range from LT215/85R16 to LT285/60R20 and will carry a 50,000-mile warranty. Also during 2017, the company will expand its DriveGuard run-flat line with new sizes in the 17-inch to 20-inch range. e line will offer 67% coverage for passenger cars, added Seidel. e Fuzion line is being expanded with a Fuzion A/T limited line in nine sizes designed to cover 50% of the market. It will start shipping in January with a 45,000-mile warranty. e Fuzion Touring line also will be available in two new sizes next year: 255/60R19 and 245/60R18. ■ The Firestone Destination M/T2 will be available in July 2017. Compared to the tire it is replacing, the Destination M/T, it has stronger resistance to chips and tears. The Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 is being launched in March. 62