Toyo introduces premium touring tire, the Versado LX

April 26, 2007

Toyo Tire (U.S.A.) Corp. launched its upscale line of touring tires in San Diego, Calif., today with the introduction of the Versado LX.

The tire, which features the company's proprietary Silent Wall technology, combines performance with all-season capabilities and is engineered to delivery a smooth, comfortable and quiet ride. The Silent Wall design incorporates a series of densely packed serrations along the walls of four circumferential grooves, which reduces noise, or "pipe resonance," created when the tire is in use.

Variable-pitch tread blocks and a computer-optimized tread pattern reduce noise even further, as do the multi-wave sipes that help reduce irregular wear. (The multi-wave sipes also help decrease tread block movement under acceleration, cornering and braking conditions.)

Other design features include the following:

* a non-directional, asymmetric tread with large rigid tread blocks on the outer shoulder.

* increased sipe density on the inner blocks. The resulting "edge effect" optimizes traction on both dry and wet roads.

* special casing construction properties tha absorb impact energy.

A direct original equipment replacement tire, the Versado LX will fit cars such as the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Infiniti Q45, Lexus LS430, Lincoln Towncar, and Cadillac DTS and STS. It initially is being offered in 37 70- through 45-series sizes ranging from 15 through 18 inches.

The size breakdown by speed rating increases the SKUs by six: Eleven are T-rated, 16 are H-rated, 14 are V-rated (including two XL sizes, 205/50R17 and 215/50R17) and two are W-rated.

The Versado, which means "well-versed" or "knowledgeable" in Spanish, is backed by an integrated marketing campaign, according to Julie Sediq, director of marketing communications.

"This marketing campaign captures the essence of the upscale, luxury lifestyle," says Steve Weinger, senior vice president of sales and marketing. "The heavy investment in national television, in addition to print (advertising), shows Toyo's commitment to this entirely new product line."

Toyo will distribute the product exclusively through the independent tire dealer channel, as it does all its tire lines.

For more information, visit www.toyo.com.