LAS VEGAS—International tire distributor Zafco International Inc. is expanding its Zeetex and Accelera brands for the North American market and preparing to launch the Armstrong brand in truck/bus radial fitments.
The Miami-based company, a unit of Dubai, United Arab Emirates-based Zafco Trading L.L.C., disclosed the product line extensions at a dealer reception during the recent Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas.
In the firm's own Zeetex brand, Zafco is adding five patterns—one passenger, two touring, one high-performance and one SUV/CUV—covering 86 sizes, and two Accelera patterns, the company told dealers at the launch event.
The HT1000 and AT1000 lines are described as touring tires, with the AT offering an all-season tread design offering both on- and off-road traction, Zafco said. The HT offers improve aquaplaning resistance thanks to circumferential lateral grooves in the tread pattern.
Zafco said it will offer the HT-1000 in 12 sizes and the AT1000 in 13 sizes.
The ZT2000 is an all-season passenger line offering increased tread life, available in 11 sizes.
The HP1000 is a high-performance line offering precise steering, low road noise and effective wet grip, available in a dozen sizes, according to the company.
The SU1000 for SUVs and crossovers is designed to generate low road noise and stable high-speed cornering, Zafco said. It will be available in 14 sizes.
The Accelera line additions are the Zeta Z high-performance and Omikron touring lines. The Zeta Z offers a combination of enhanced braking and steering response with low noise generation and enhanced tread life. The Omikron offers long life and enhanced grip.
Together, the two lines will be available in 14 sizes.
Zafco is sourcing the new lines from Indonesia.
The Accelera brand is owned by Indonesia's P.T. Elangperdana Tbk.; Zafco has distribution rights in North America.
Regarding the Armstrong brand—rights to which Zafco acquired from Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. in July 2012—the firm is planning to roll out the brand in North America with 15 truck/bus radial SKUs in steer and drive applications, including some off-road traction treads.
Zafco did not say at this time where it's sourcing the Armstrong-brand truck tires, but the firm bought into Otani Tire Co. Ltd. of Thailand in 2012 for the production of truck and bus tires, company officials said in the past.