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Dunlop Repositions Brand, Gains Flagship Steer Truck Tire
AKRON, Ohio, March 13 -- Borrowing from The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's commercial steer-tire leadership, the Dunlop brand has landed a new flagship steer tire for line-haul and regional trucking.
The new Dunlop SP384 steer tire, a mid-priced brand for dealer and select wholesale distribution, features enhanced casing, tread design and pressure distribution groove technology to help lower cost-per-mile and more miles to removal.
"The SP384 steer tire delivers Dunlop dealers proven technology," said Larry Tucker, marketing manager for line-haul tires. The new tire gives the brand a complete portfolio for long-haul applications, joining Dunlop's SP453 drive and SP181A trailer tires.
"This fills a void in our product lineup for a mid-priced steer tire," said Kelly Monthei, general manager of Graham Tire in Worthington, Minn. "Our customers have been real receptive to this new Dunlop steer tire."
Jeff Lecklider, president and owner of Gem City Tire of Sharonville, Ohio, said, "We feel this tire will allow us to grow in this price category. We're excited to have an excellent steer tire."
According to Tucker, the SP384 steer tire, available in standard and low- profile sizes, will drive traction and even, more uniform wear. With 18/32-inch tread depth and five-rib construction, treadwear is optimized.
The tire's pressure distribution groove also helps eliminate shoulder wear, and lateral grooves, along with "pin blades" -- serrations on the shoulder -- help enhance traction.
"Thanks to special tread compounding and tread and shoulder design, we've leapfrogged the SP384's predecessor in the Dunlop lineup," Tucker said. "But that was only the beginning. We beefed up the tire casing -- a four-belt package that features high-tensile steel on the lower three belts and a coated top belt to resist harmful moisture.
The retreadable tire is backed by a five-year casing, two-retread maximum limited warranty. Officials are so confident in the new tire's performance that it's backed by a special steer-tire-challenge package, which offers a free retread for new tires that fail to meet mileage requirements. Details are available from Dunlop sales representatives.
Graham Tire's Monthei said his store pre-sold the new Dunlop tire and has already delivered 200 tires. He said he's selling the tire to owner-operators, such as farmers who are also part-time trucker drivers, and to small fleets.
Gem City Tire's Lecklider said the new steer tire completes his tire offering. "We can sell steer, drive and trail tires -- all one brand, from one dealer," he said. "We'll be able to win more wheel positions."
Already a leading brand in Europe, the Dunlop name is gaining momentum in North America. On the consumer side, passionate drivers know it for its performance on sports cars and specially tuned vehicles. On the truck side, dealers and fleets know Dunlop commercial tires for their value in meeting the demands of today's haulers, Tucker said.
Available in sizes 11R22.5 LR G, 11R24.5 LR G, 295/75R22.5 LR G and 285/75R24.5 LR G, the SP384 steer tire is manufactured in Goodyear's Danville, Va., facility.
Goodyear commercial tire systems offer complete products and services to the trucking industry, including a full range of Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly and Steelmark tires. In addition, the company's cradle-to-grave tire and service network includes retreading, tire management tools and business solutions for tomorrow's trucking fleets.
CONTACT: Dave Wilkins of Dunlop Tires, +1-330-796-3758, or dfwilkins@goodyear.com; or Doug Siefkes, +1-425-392-2611, or siefkes@siefkespetit.com
Contacts:
Public Relations:
Doug Siefkes
USA
Phone: 425-392-2611
 E-mail this person
General Information:
Dave Wilkins
USA
Phone: 330-796-3758
E-mail this person
Company Information:
Name: Dunlop Tire Corp.
Address: 200 John James Audubon Pkwy.
City: Amherst
State: NY
ZIP: 14228
Country: USA
Phone: 716-639-5200
FAX: 716-639-5352
http://www.dunloptire.com
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