Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has added 30 sizes to the Discoverer SRX line for SUVs and CUVs. The company launched the Discoverer SRX line in six sizes in 2014.
Cooper says it is adding sizes in light of a survey of automotive trends and purchasing habits survey of more than 500 American consumers confirming the popularity of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and cross-over utility vehicles (CUVs) even in an era of fuel economy.
The survey, which was commissioned by Cooper, showed 67% of households driving an SUV or CUV, a result topped only by sedans in the survey. The study also found that in households with children, SUVs and CUVs are the number one vehicle of choice, with 52% preferring to drive those vehicles.
“In addition to the valuable input of consumers, we also continuously evaluate industry trends to ensure that we are providing product solutions that meet the needs of consumers and deliver exceptional value in today’s highly competitive marketplace,” says Jessica Egerton, Cooper’s director of brand development.
“For example, data from IHS Automotive, a leading market intelligence firm, supports the trend that CUVs continue to rise in popularity, noting that unit volume sales for this vehicle type have grown by more than 150% over the past five years. This additional validation supports the increasing need for a strong assortment of great-performing tires for this category.”
Cooper says the Discoverer SRX features new silica-based tread compound, combined with patented Stabiledge technology and 3D Micro-Gauge siping, which deliver more road surface grip for increased traction in various weather conditions.
In addition, the Discoverer SRX also features Cooper’s innovative Wear Square, an exclusive visual indicator on the tire that allows drivers to quickly and easily assess the remaining tread life. Built into the tread design, this innovation features the outline of a square located at six points of reference around the inside and outside of the tire tread.
As the tire wears, the Wear Square transitions among five stages, beginning with a full square on new tires and transforming into an exclamation mark when the tread reaches 2/32s of an inch, indicating it is time to replace the tire. The Wear Square can also signal uneven tire wear and possible wheel alignment issues.
The Discoverer SRX offers a 65,000-mile treadwear protection warranty and a 45-day road test guarantee.
For more information, visit www.coopertire.com
