Turkish tyre maker Petlas shares that its Explero PT411 A/S has gained 3PMSF certification, and is thus approved for year-round use in markets where specific winter tyre rules apply. All tyres in the all-season SUV range will henceforth carry the ‘snowflake’ symbol on their sidewalls.
Cooper Tire Europe has added the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT and the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT to its 4×4 line-up. Building upon the launch of the tyres in the United States, a range of sizes will now be made available in UK and other European markets.
Yokohama’s Geolandar M/T G003 tyres for SUVs and pickup trucks will be fitted to the Korando DKR driven by Oscar Fuertes Aldanondo and Diego Vallejo for Ssangyong Motorsport/Sodicars Racing on the 2020 Dakar Rally (5-17 January). The same car and drivers came in third in the T1.3 petrol 2-wheel drive class in the January 2019 event, and will take on competition in the same class this year.
Michelin’s North American operation has filed a suit against a company importing “counterfeit” tyres from China. The tyres in question are said to violate patents for the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2.
Cooper Tire Europe has introduced its new Discoverer ATT. The new 4×4/SUV tyre is designed for 60 per cent on-road, 40 per cent off-road applications, with fitments available for a wide range of CUVs and SUVs.
As of this year, 42 sizes of BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 are available in the UK. The first sizes in the line-up for extreme off-road conditions arrived in 2018, and the portfolio now available includes 21 new sizes not offered in the predecessor KM2 range.
The largest UK tyre wholesaler, Stapleton’s has long acknowledged the SUV/4×4 sector’s ability to transcend other segments with steady upward performance against a particularly volatile background. While a global rise in raw materials prices and post-referendum inflation are taking a toll on the UK, Stapleton’s notes the internationalism of the industry means the impact will be considerable, because where the car industry goes the tyre industry must inevitably follow.
Maxxis’ original equipment portfolio in the all-terrain vehicle sector gives the manufacturer some authority when it comes to the ATV tyre market. The company says it is “in a perfect position to monitor and react” to trends in the “growing” segment.
Kumho has enhanced its 4×4 tyre range with the Crugen HP91 and KL33 SUV offerings, covering the majority of on-road sizes between them, while the cross-functional Road Venture patterned MT51 and established KL71 also cover everything from such top end SUVs as the Range Rover and BMW X5 to the ever-popular Land Rover Defender.
Yokohama’s extensive offering of 4×4 tyres caters for a broad range of manufacturers and applications, from SUVs to crossover SUVs and minivans, CUVs and sports cars, already boasting a host of OE fitments.
The leading growth in new car sales of SUVs has led to a surge in demand for tyres in this lucrative market. While premium tyre manufacturers have naturally led the way in this segment, meeting the demands of their original equipment customers, themselves expanding and innovating in the segment to offer greater choice to consumers, sub-premium manufacturers have followed suit, giving wholesalers the opportunity to distribute higher margin products, and create a tiered range of products to address this segment.
Last winter, extreme cold weather in the UK and Europe caused chaos on and off road, making the increased mobility offered by 4x4s an attractive proposition. It is into this context that Davanti will launch its new Terratoura.
Cooper Tire unveiled the new Discoverer AT3 family of tyres at The Tire Cologne early this summer. The line, which includes three distinct all-season, all-terrain tyres features Cooper’s first ever all-season 4×4 product – the Discoverer AT34S.
From 1 October 2018, Nokian Tyres will proudly partner Scottish Mountain Rescue in a three-year sponsorship deal. The agreement will see all Scottish Mountain Rescue vehicles fitted with Nokian Tyres’ most recent and innovative products.
Falken Tyre has recently expanded its off-road offering with the new Wildpeak M/T model. First shown in May at Tire Cologne in Cologne, Germany, the new tyre is designed for 4×4 and SUV use with the ability to cope with the toughest off-road conditions.
