FULLERTON, CA (March 12, 2014) – Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC) will roll out a trio of new commercial tires at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS), March 27-29 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, KY. The 902L™ and 709L™ ultra wide base drive tires will be on display in YTC’s booth (14124), and a new coach/bus tire, the 104ZR™ Spec-2, will be unveiled.
“The theme of our MATS booth is ‘Defining the Future,’” said Rick Phillips, Yokohama senior director, commercial and OTR sales. “New products like the ones we’ll have at MATS will play a big part in our future, especially with the October 2015 opening of our new commercial tire plant in Mississippi.”
Ultra wide base (UWB) tires such as the 902L and 709L are part of YTC’s long-term plan, according to Phillips. “We’re seeing more of a demand for them because of the weight savings, which is where fleets can find an immediate benefit. It’s something tangible – they can measure and calculate savings.”
“The 902L long-haul/regional ultra wide base drive tire delivers superior traction and high mileage,” said Phillips. “Its tread design makes a real difference in extreme driving conditions, such as in snow and ice.”
The 902L comes in size 445/50R22.5. Highlights include:
- A 27/32 tread depth that creates higher traction while providing extra-long treadlife.
- An advanced rubber compound that lowers rolling resistance and reduces heat build-up, which boosts fuel economy.
- Seven circumferential grooves that enhance lateral stability and create long wear with an even footprint.
- A zero-degree mid belt that provides weight distribution for even pressure and increased treadlife.
- A specially-engineered small block and sipe combo that reduce heel-toe wear, increase fuel economy and provide high snow traction.
“Yokohama is introducing the 709L at MATS and it will be available at the end of the year in size 445/50R22.5,” said Phillips. “It’s built for long wear and fuel efficiency, thanks to its advanced rubber compound. Plus, its special casing enhances durability for retreading.”
The 709L on-highway ultra wide base drive tire features:
- Seven serpentine grooves that reduce tread movement, add rigidity and decrease rolling resistance.
- Double Z blocks that increase rigidity to prevent heel-toe wear for a long-, even-lasting tire life while increasing wet and snow traction.
- A 24/32 tread depth that decreases tread block movement for stability, low rolling resistance and increased fuel efficiency.
- A zero-degree mid belt that provides even pressure and weight distribution for increased treadlife and an even footprint.
Phillips described the new 315/80R22.5 104ZR Spec-2, , as “a workhorse that delivers longer treadwear, low rolling resistance and enhanced traction, making it ideal for coach and regional/long haul tour bus applications.”
The 315/80R22.5 104ZR Spec-2 all-position tire benefits include:
- A five-rib full-depth tread pattern that delivers a smooth, quiet ride, while its serpentine groove pattern is designed to reduce premature shoulder step-down and irregular wear, and further preserve overall tread life.
- Block-shaped stone ejectors that prevent rocks from traveling to the bottom of the grooves, reducing damage to the casing by 25 percent to ensure greater durability and retreadability.
- An ultra-wide top steel belt that increases rigidity across the entire tread surface for enhanced durability and to avoid casing damage.
Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global manufacturing and sales company of premium tires since 1917. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation is a leader in technology and innovation. The company’s complete product line includes tires for high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, and off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama’s extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.
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