Some of the tire dealers attending the 2009 American Car Care Centers (ACCC)Dealer Meeting in Cancun, Mexico, were hoping for new product information.
No new lines were introduced, but there were plenty of line extensions for the Michelin Americas Small Tires (MAST) products. And CEO and President Len Lewin says the group expects to finalize the addition of a new brand by the end of February.
In addition to MAST, ACCC offers its shareholders and members Yokohama, Continental, General and the American private brand, manufactured by Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.
In the first half of 2009, ACCC will add H- and V-rated sizes to the BFGoodrich Advantage T/A (March) and g-Force Super Sport A/S (May) lines. The Advantage T/A will be available in 17 sizes ranging from 185/65HR15 to 235/60HR16. Five of the 17 sizes will be V-rated.
Sixteen sizes will be added to the BFGoodrich g-Force Super Sport A/S line, ranging from 185/60HR14 to 245/45VR18. Seven of the new sizes will be V-rated.
ACCC and MAST will support the introductions with a "Family Retailer Promotion" from June 1 through July 12, 2009. Consumers purchasing a set of four Advantage T/A H/V or g-Force Super Sport A/S H/V tires will receive a $50 debit card. Point-of-sale kits for the tire lines will be available May 23.
Phase two of the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus launch will begin this month. In 2008, 40 sizes were introduced; on Feb. 23, 19 sizes will be available, including 245/30YR20.
An additional three sizes -- 215/45WR17, 245/40YR18 and 285/35YR19 -- will be launched in June and July.
Some of the other MAST line extensions for 2009 include the following:
* Michelin Pilot Sport PS2: 32 sizes, plus two 18-inch ZP sizes.
* Michelin Pilot Sport Cup: two sizes (235/35YR19, 305/30YR19).
* Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2: two sizes (205/55YR16, 255/50WR16).
* BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM2: eight sizes.
* BFGoodrich Krawler T/A KX: three sizes.
* Uniroyal Laredo AWT II: three sizes.
* Riken Raptor Z: seven sizes.
The Uniroyal Tiger Paw AS65 will be available in 27 T-rates sizes by the end of June. The BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW will convert seven sizes from its traditional tread to a new tread, and will add four dimensions by the end of November. The Michelin HydroEdge will be relaunched in April, and will add T-rated sizes P235/55R17 and P225/50R18 to its lineup.
