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Michael Mathis from Atturo says consumers can feel the difference between an all-season touring tire and ultrahigh performance tire “immediately.” It’s up to the dealer to explain the details of a UHP tire’s improved handling.
UHP light truck tires: ‘a blending of technologies’ Think past the days of the Ford Lightning By Joy Kopcha
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onsumers are replacing their high performance sedans with high performance SUVs and CUVs. And to Sonny McDonald, national training manager for Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp., it makes sense that the light truck tires on those vehicles would take on more performance-like characteristics. “The demand in the SUV and CUV ultra-high performance tire market is evolving much like the passenger UHP market. More vehicles are equipped with larger rim diameter, lower profile and at least V-speed-rated tires.” And the evolution, driven by both technology and marketing, is good news for tire dealers. “The UHP SUV and CUV replacement market will offer dealers the greatest growth and profit potential,” says McDonald. “Customers buying SUVs or CUVs are often looking to customize with plus-sized tire and wheel packages because it’s all about the look.”
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Modern Tire Dealer asked Toyo and its fellow tire makers to weigh in on the UHP light truck tire market. Some call it a niche, while others see a blurring of the lines between light truck fitments and UHP tire qualities. Michelin North America Inc., for one, does not directly associate UHP or high performance tires with speed ratings. “We are seeing a growing market for P-metric, higher speedrated tires that fit light trucks and SUVs. Typically Michelin defines its tires by the optimal performance capability and not solely on size and fitment. Michelin and BFGoodrich focus on performance capability to best fit the consumer driving need. That said, as the market grows we anticipate having products that would carry the higher speed rating for vehicles that would fit in the light truck category.” There is a consensus among tire manufacturers, though: The
MTD February 2018
