The competition over studless winter tire sales has gotten properly under way for another year. Even as they acknowledge the market’s unpredictability amid the continued pandemic, each tire manufacturer here is aiming to boost sales by expanding their SUV-related product lineups, as well as by making the most of the lessons they learned from pursuing sales in the midst of...
Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (TYO:5101) is set to begin a sequential launch of its iceGuard 7, a new studless winter tire for passenger cars. Slated to hit the market on Sept. 1, the tire will come in a total of 89 sizes. Under Yokohama Transformation 2023 – a new medium-term management plan set to run over fiscal 2021–2023 – Yokohama...
Toyo Tire Corp. (TYO:5105) is planning a Japanese market launch for the Delvex 935, a new studless winter tire for use on commercial vans and light trucks. Set to be available in 15 sizes, the tire will be given a sequential rollout starting on Aug. 1. Commercial vans capable of handling tight turns tend to stop and start numerous times...
Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) is gearing up for the launch of the Blizzak VRX3, a new tire under its Blizzak brand of studless winter tires for passenger cars. Slated for a sequential rollout starting Sept. 1, the tire will be available in a total of 111 sizes, spanning kei cars through to compact cars, sedans and minivans. The VRX3 makes use...
Toyo Tire Corp. (TYO:5105) is planning an Aug. 1 launch in Japan for the Delvex M935, a studless tire model to be made available in 14 sizes. In designing the Delvex M935, Toyo Tires strove for high levels of both ice performance and wear resistance for use with light trucks running on winter roads, where conditions are continually changing. The...
Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (TYO:5110) plans to begin rolling out sales on Aug. 1 for the Winter Maxx 03, a studless winter tire with new rubber texturing technology that gives it the best ice performance of any Sumitomo Rubber tire. It will be available in a total of 98 sizes. Characterized by nanoscale bumps and hollows, the new nano-texturing technology...
