TUCSON, Ariz. (Jan. 29, 2013) — Del-Nat Tire Corp. is adding an entry-level car and light truck tire brand, dubbed "Sentinel" and sourced from China.
Del-Nat launched the brand at its recent shareholders' meeting in Tucson, calling it a "competitively priced opening price point" product without disclosing what the price difference will be between the Sentinel line and the dealer cooperative's other proprietary lines, Delta, National and/or Chapparal.
Del-Nat President Jim Mayfield called the addition of the line an "important milestone" for the Memphis, Tenn.-based private brand and wholesale tire distributor.
"The unveiling of our Sentinel line emphatically underscores Del-Nat's goal to help independent tire dealers remain independent," Mr. Mayfield said.
Del-Nat is rolling out two all-season passenger lines—the UN99 touring and UN33 ultra-high-performance—initially and will be adding all-season A/T and H/T versions during the first quarter.
The company lists 30 sizes of the UN99, ranging from 175/70R13 to 215/50R17 and in T-, H- and V-speed ratings, and six sizes of the UN33, ranging from 205/55R16 to 225/40R18, all W-speed rated. The UN99 carries a 440/A/A Uniform Tire Quality Grading rating, while the UN33 is rated at 340/A/A. Both are M+S rated.
The tires are made by "one of Del-Nat's strategic suppliers in China," the company said.
Del-Nat plans to offer nine sizes of the A/T 701 and 18 sizes of the H/T 701.
Del-Nat Tire, which has annual sales of more than $200 million, offers each stockholder protected territories under one or more of the Del-Nat brand names: Delta and National passenger, light-truck and SUV tires; Chaparral light truck lines; as well as AKURET commercial tires for farm, OTR, truck and trailer applications.