Skip to main content
EVENT TRACKER
Keep track of rescheduled, canceled industry events with our COVID-affected event tracker - Powered by Snap Finance
Close
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber & Plastics News
  • European Rubber Journal
tb-logo
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • OPINION
    • CORONAVIRUS
    • AUTO INDUSTRY
    • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • FACTORY FIXES
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • INTERNATIONAL
    • MOTOR SPORTS
    • NEW PRODUCTS
    • RETAIL TIRES
    • SERVICE ZONE
    • SEMA/AAPEX
    • SMALL BUSINESS
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • COVID takes dealers for roller-coaster ride
      A year later, pandemic's full tire industry impact unclear
      Tire Cologne canceled; rescheduled until 2022
      New round of Paycheck Protection Program funding opens
    • DTM switches horses mid-stream; awards race tire contract to Michelin
      Icahn Auto trims fiscal 2020 operating loss despite 14% lower sales
      Oshkosh unit gets contract for new USPS local delivery vehicle
      Sumitomo adds treadwear-detection to 'Sensor Core' toolkit
    • F1 extends Pirelli's supply contract through 2024
      Titan eyes solid recovery in 2021 as ag sector rebounds
      4 Wheel Parts celebrates 60th anniversary with deals, promotions
      CarAdvise partnering with RepairSmith mobile repair services
    • Goodyear joins connected mobility pilot program in Ohio
      Michelin launches high-scrub, weight-sensitive X One Multi T trailer tire
      TRAC Intermodal redirects retread biz 100% in-house
      Giti rolling out range of GT Radial-brand urban/regional truck tires
    • USTMA joins coalition supporting passage of Equality Act
      McMahon's Best-One increases its minimum wage to $15
      Oshkosh unit gets contract for new USPS local delivery vehicle
      Conti recalling 94,000 Conti-, General-, Barum-brand LT/SUV tires
    • F1 extends Pirelli's supply contract through 2024
      Maxam adding multipurpose radial, solid OTR tires
      Goodyear names Patterson to lead Cooper integration efforts
      DTM switches horses mid-stream; awards race tire contract to Michelin
    • F1 extends Pirelli's supply contract through 2024
      DTM switches horses mid-stream; awards race tire contract to Michelin
      Bridgestone World Solar Challenge canceled due to pandemic restrictions
      Pirelli, Goodyear ink sedan racing series contracts in Canada, Europe
    • Snap-on debuts Triton-D10 diagnostic tool with scan, lab scope capabilities
      Maxam adding multipurpose radial, solid OTR tires
      Michelin launches high-scrub, weight-sensitive X One Multi T trailer tire
      Giti rolling out range of GT Radial-brand urban/regional truck tires
    • COVID takes dealers for roller-coaster ride
      Investment groups to acquire Mavis Tire network
      Vogue Tyre offers $75 rebate on set of 4 tires during March
      4 Wheel Parts celebrates 60th anniversary with deals, promotions
    • Snap-on debuts Triton-D10 diagnostic tool with scan, lab scope capabilities
      Pennzoil offering carbon-neutral lubricants for passenger cars
      Washington dealership uses new-school solution for recruiting auto techs
      Marinucci: Customers may ignore dangerous conditions
    • TIA seeking nominations for Tire Industry Hall of Fame
      SEMA survey shows resilient auto aftermarket in 2020
      SEMA scholarships and loan forgiveness now available
      WTC hosting webinar Jan. 20 on load-capacity standards
    • SEMA survey shows resilient auto aftermarket in 2020
      Trade groups oppose minimum wage increase proposal
      New stimulus package fixes PPP loan confusion
      Vaccine may usher sense of normalcy
    • Goodyear joins connected mobility pilot program in Ohio
      Titan eyes solid recovery in 2021 as ag sector rebounds
      Michelin launches high-scrub, weight-sensitive X One Multi T trailer tire
      Goodyear names Patterson to lead Cooper integration efforts
    • Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      7 questions to ask consumers when they need tires for a crossover SUV
      Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      Stocking Tires for Crossover SUVs
      Sponsored By AppointmentPlus
      Three Important Lessons Learned for the Tire Business During a Pandemic
      Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      7 questions to ask consumers when they need tires for a crossover SUV
  • SHOP FLOOR
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Video: Balancing Tire
      Safety tips for wheel balancing
      An introduction to wheel balancing
      Wheel weights: Balancing form with function
    • Video: Demounting
      Tire changer types, tips and trends
      How to clear rim rust and corrosion
      An introduction to demounting, mounting and inflation
    • Video: Safety
      Customers
      Considerations for shop safety policies
      Introduction: Creating a culture of safety
    • Video: Tire Repair
      Essential tools, materials and equipment for tire repair
      An introduction to tire repair
      How to properly patch a puncture
    • Video: TMPS Service
      The life-saving work of TPMS
      An introduction to TPMS service
      The importance of proper relearn procedures
    • Video: Training
      Internship ideas to attract tech talent
      Choosing the right auto service tech school
      Intro: Finding and training technicians
    • Video:Vehicle Lifting
      The gravity of proper lift points
      Safety essentials when using jack stands
      An introduction to lifts and lift safety
    • Video: Wheel Torque
      The importance of torque specifications
      Introduction to proper wheel installation
      Torque check and recheck recommendations
  • Multimedia
    • VIDEOS
    • PHOTOS
    • PODCASTS
  • Events
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Resources
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
  • Awards
    • Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
February 27, 2006 01:00 AM

Kelly's getting FIERCE

Lisa Hockensmith
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    With a new tire in its Eagle performance lineup, Goodyear also introduced tires under its Dunlop and Kelly brands-both of which the tire maker has sought to bolster in recent years.

    Under the Kelly brand, Goodyear introduced the Navigator Touring Gold, a premium touring tire that carries a 60,000-mile limited treadwear warranty. The tire is available in 17 H- and V-rated sizes, ranging from 15- to 17-inch rim diameters. Additional sizes are planned for the second half of the year.

    Chris Magana, marketing manager for the Kelly brand, said the tire is targeted toward consumers whose vehicles require speed-rated tires, yet they still want low noise and high mileage.

    Larry Mason, president of consumer tires, said Goodyear will turn more attention to Kelly.

    ``It's a fair observation the last couple years that our priority was to put all of our technology and all of our emphasis into Goodyear as the top priority,'' he said. ``And while we continue to improve Kelly, probably (we) didn't keep it as fresh as we would have if we were in a different position. So we've committed to the Kelly dealers that we're bringing that back.''

    One part of that plan is the new Fierce line of entry-level tuner tires. Goodyear launched three Fierce tires-the ST (sport truck), UHP (ultra-high performance) and HP (high performance)-in three, 20 and 16 sizes, respectively. This year Goodyear will add nine sizes to the HP, 10 to UHP and 13 to ST.

    The Fierce tires will replace the Kelly Evo Z, Charger HPT and, in some channels, the Ultra HPR, Goodyear said. The changes will occur over the next six months.

    Though the line is under Kelly's umbrella, it will only be marketed under the Fierce name, Mr. Magana said. ``For Goodyear there's a whole segment that we're missing,'' he said, referring to the entry-level tuner market.

    Goodyear eventually will offer more tires under the line, he added.

    Clark Smith, co-owner of Elliott Tire & Service, a nine-outlet dealership in the Seattle area, said he's excited about the Fierce line. He said Goodyear has needed an entry-level tuner product, and his dealership is getting more involved in the tuner market. ``We're basically just scratching the surface,'' he said.

    Marketing for Fierce primarily will be through point-of-sale materials and some magazine and newspaper ads, Mr. Magana said.

    But John De Leonibus, president of D&D Tire Co. Inc., in Hyattsville, Md., said he hopes Goodyear puts a concerted effort into marketing the name. For instance, Goodyear showed a hip hop video to dealers, and he wishes the video will be used more-unlike similar materials for the Kelly Evo Z.

    ``They marketed (the Evo Z) here, but after the dealer conference it sort of dropped off, you didn't hear any more from them,'' he said. ``Now it looks like they're trying one more time to revamp it and market it toward that demographic, so we'll try it again and see if it works.''

    Mr. Mason said the advertising will be retailer-centric.

    ``Fierce won't be a heavily advertised brand,'' he told tire trade journalists. ``We'll support it so that it's got credibility in store and in the right media, but it's really the kind of brand that retailers can project as his entry into the business.''

    Mr. De Leonibus said, however, that tuner tires represent only about 10 to 15 percent of his business, so most of his advertising funds go toward pushing his bread and butter light truck and sport-utility truck products.

    For the Dunlop brand, Goodyear launched two tires, a winter performance tire and an all-season tire for luxury passenger cars.

    The Signature all-season tire will be available starting in February in 28 sizes, ranging from 14- to 17-inch rim diameters with T, H and V speed ratings.

    The SP WinterSport 3D, which will replace some sizes of the M3 winter tire, is designed as a winter performance tire that provides traction on both snowy or icy roads and cold, dry roads. The tire will be available in March with 22 sizes, ranging from 15- to 19-inch rim diameters with H through W speed ratings.

    Goodyear officials touted the tires as being among eight new Dunlop products launched in the past 18 months.

    Allan Young, operations manager at Benson Tire Inc. in Cornwall, Ontario, said the Dunlop lineup has improved in the past couple of years. He sells both Goodyear and Dunlop products. ``I like one as well as the other now,'' he said.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    tb-logo
    Reader Services
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber & Plastics News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • OPINION
      • CORONAVIRUS
      • AUTO INDUSTRY
      • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • FACTORY FIXES
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • INTERNATIONAL
      • MOTOR SPORTS
      • NEW PRODUCTS
      • RETAIL TIRES
      • SERVICE ZONE
      • SEMA/AAPEX
      • SMALL BUSINESS
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • SHOP FLOOR
      • BALANCING
      • DEMOUNTING
      • SAFETY
      • TIRE REPAIR
      • TPMS
      • TRAINING
      • VEHICLE LIFTING
      • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Multimedia
      • VIDEOS
      • PHOTOS
      • PODCASTS
    • Events
      • ASK THE EXPERT
      • LIVESTREAMS
      • WEBINARS
      • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Resources
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION
    • Awards
      • Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award