Good things come in threes for Goodyear

Jan. 31, 2011

On the retail side, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. proved a triple-threat at its 2011 Dealer Conference in Grapevine, Texas.

1. It launched the successor to its Gemini program (see "A sneak peek at Goodyear's Tire & Service Network").

2. It announced three new Goodyear brand tires, including the next generation Assurance TripleTred.

3. And it strengthened its third-tier offerings by introducing the Kelly Safari ATR.

The Goodyear Assurance TripleTred All-Season is a premium tire featuring the same three unique tread zones as its predecessor (the water, ice and dry zones are self-explanatory). It also has a directional tread pattern.

The tire also features Evolving Traction Grooves. As the tire wears, Evolving Traction Grooves are designed to appear to help maintain traction in the rain and snow.

It will be available in 22 metric and P-metric sizes ranging from 195/60R15 88H to 215/55R18 95H during the summer.

The two other Goodyear tires are the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 and the Ultra Grip Ice WRT with a passenger car design.

The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 UHP tire was designed using race-derived technologies and Goodyear’s exclusive ActiveBraking Technology. As a result, it features precise handling and “enhanced” stopping power on both dry and wet roads, according to the company.

In addition, an advanced tread block pattern helps reduce excessive road noise.

The tire will be available in North America this spring in 28 Y-rated sizes ranging from 245/40R17 to 255/35R20.

The Ultra-Grip Ice WRT was introduced in light truck and SUV sizes last year. This year, 27 passenger car sizes will be added to the lineup in August. The S- and T-rated sizes range from 195/65R15 to 245/50R20.

The passenger tire sizes feature a directional tread pattern similar to the SUV sizes; two- and three-dimensional tread blades; and Goodyear's Winter Grip Compound for traction on snow and ice.

The winter tire was designed using Goodyear's Winter Reactive Technology, a combination of features "that work together to help drivers react to changing winter driving conditions,” says Goodyear. It also is outfitted for optional metal studs.

The new Kelly Safari ATR was designed for drivers seeking an optimal combination of on-road and off-road traction for their SUVs and light-trucks.

It features self-cleaning traction grooves to help propel mud and snow away from the tread for all-season traction; wide tread grooves to help evacuate water for traction in wet weather; and an all-terrain tread “for enhanced gripping power in many environments.”

The Safari ATR is backed by a 50,000-mile limited tread life warranty on P-metric sizes, and a 40,000-mile warranty on LT sizes. It will be available in 32 sizes in February.

For more information about Goodyear and its products, visit www.goodyear.com.