Yokohama Tire Corp. displayed a little of everything for attendees to the International Tire Expo (ITE) in Las Vegas, Nev. The ITE opened today and runs through Friday.
Four of the tires are consumer oriented. They are:
* Parada Spec-2. The Spec-2 replaces the Parada. Both tires have the same tread pattern, but the Spec-2 has more dry and wet grip thanks to tread compounding advances, according to the company. It will be introduced at the replacement level Jan. 1 and eventually be available in 11 sizes (including two 19-inch sizes).
* Geolander H/T-S. "It's one line but it fits several different market segments," says the company. One design caters to standard fitments; it has a 60,000-mile limited tread wear warranty. One has a tread designed for heavy-duty, Load Range E applications. And one has a directional tread pattern in plus sizes up to 22 inches. It will be available in the fourth quarter of 2002.
* AVS ES100. Designed for the V- and Z-rated tire market, the ES100 is an economy ultra-high performance tire. Yokohama says this segment has doubled in size since 1997.
Guardex 721. Yokohama's new snow tire replaces the Guardex 310. It features severe snow traction characteristics in 16- and 17-inch fitments.
Yokohama displayed two medium truck tires that will be launched in mid-year 2002. The TY527 is a long-haul drive axle tire with a one-inch tread depth. Its unidirectional tread pattern helps reduce block movement. The RY587 is a premium long-haul trailer tire; it will replace the RY112.
The company also showed off the technology surrounding its underground mine tire, the Y69U. It has a reinforced tread pattern and sidewall, and will be available by April of next year.
