Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Rubber News
  • European Rubber Journal
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • Current Issue
  • BEST PLACES TO WORK
  • News
    • MID YEAR REPORT
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • HUMANITARIAN
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
    • OBITUARIES
    • OPINION
    • SERVICE ZONE
  • ADAS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Custom
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
  • Events
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
  • Resources
    • ADVERTISE
    • AWARDS
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • DIRECTORY
    • SHOP FLOOR
    • Best Places to Work
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
April 01, 2015 02:00 AM

MATS Report: 'General truck tire line 'rejuvenated'

Tire Business Staff
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    (Tire Business photo by Bruce Davis)
    Alex Chmiel debuts the new General Tire ad campaign during a press conference at MATS 2015.

    By Bruce Davis, Tire Business staff

    LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 1, 2015) — Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C. is rejuvenating the General Tire commercial tire brand, with an overhauled product range, a centennial-year-based marketing/advertising campaign and a nationwide road show designed to reinforce the brand's image.

    The marketing/advertising campaign — dubbed “Powering the Future” — rolls out in dedicated trucking media and draws on the General brand's heritage as a commercial tire from its earliest roots, according to Alex Chmiel, Conti's director of marketing, commercial vehicle tires, the Americas.

    In relaunching the General commercial product, the tire maker is pitching it to owner-operators and smaller fleets, those with up to 99 units (tractors and trailers), Mr. Chmiel said during a press conference last week at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville.

    As such, Conti is positioning the latest General truck tire lineup as a reliable, value-priced tire that delivers long tread life and improved fuel-efficiency vs. recent products.

    Conti estimates the market demand from small and medium-sized truck operators at 10.7 million new truck tries and 7.5 million retreads a year.

    Tire Business photo by Bruce Davis

    General Tire centennial logo molded into a truck tire sidewall.

    Conti's goal with the General brand was to achieve performance characteristics at about 85 percent of those of the Conti-brand, Mr. Chmiel said.

    The product roll-out starts with three long-haul highway truck tires — General HS steer tire, HD drive and HT trailer. The HD and HT are set to roll out in April, followed by the HS in May.

    Conti will carry out an informational road show throughout 2015 at dealer and customer events, using a red GT-themed Ford heavy-duty pickup that will transport the road show around the country. Interested parties can check the road show's appearance schedule at its website.

    The company is producing the General brand at its plant in Mt. Vernon, Ill. Tires sold this year will have a special General Tire centennial logo molded into the sidewall.

    Pricing was not disclosed at this time.

    The HD features a full 1-inch tread depth with a closed shoulder tread design that offers high mileage and optimal fuel economy while also delivering traction in demanding applications, Conti said. The tread block geometry promotes stiffness in the footprint, which reduces excess block movement leading to lower rolling resistance and improved fuel economy. The groove bottom ejection system reduces stone retention and casing penetration leading to higher retreadability.

    The HD drive tire launches with one size, 11R22.5, and will be followed throughout the year with three more Load Range G sizes — 295/75R22.5, 11R24.5 and 285/75R24.5.

    The HT trailer tire delivers optimal removal mileage and flexibility through an improved tread pattern, according to Conti. The improved scuff rib protects the sidewalls from curbing and cutting therefore reducing damage to the tire and increasing retreadability. The HT launches with the 295/75R22.5 (Load Range G) and will continue throughout the year with 11R22.5 (Load Range G); 255/70R22.5 (Load Range H); 11R24.5 (Load Range G); and 285/75R24.5 (Load Range G).

    The HS steer tire features an enhanced tread design, fuel-efficient compounding and an upgraded casing platform. Conti said. The five-rib tread pattern, including a straight groove bottom design, promotes even wear and high removal mileage. Additionally, the grooves feature pyramidal shaped stone ejectors to prevent stone retention and increase retreadability.

    It will debut in May with the 295/75R22.5 and will continue with 11R22.5; 11R24.5; 285/75R24.5. All are Load Range H.

    ________________________________________________

    To reach this reporter: [email protected]; 330-865-6145; Twitter: @reifenmensch

     

     

     

    Related Articles
    Video: Conti's Chmiel discusses 'rejuvenated' General brand
    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].

    Most Popular
    1
    Goodyear tabs distributors for Australia, New Zealand
    2
    Goodyear to cut jobs, divest Asia-Pacific locations
    3
    Egypt investors propose $1 billion tire plant project
    4
    China's Aeolus Tyre opens Canada sales subsidiary
    5
    Tire Business ranks the Top 75 Tire Makers of 2023
    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
    • Instagram
    • 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.

    Reader Services
    • Staff
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • BEST PLACES TO WORK
    • News
      • MID YEAR REPORT
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • HUMANITARIAN
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
      • OBITUARIES
      • OPINION
      • SERVICE ZONE
    • ADAS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Custom
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Events
      • ASK THE EXPERT
      • LIVESTREAMS
      • WEBINARS
      • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
      • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
    • Resources
      • ADVERTISE
      • AWARDS
        • Best Places to Work
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • DIRECTORY
      • SHOP FLOOR
        • BALANCING
        • DEMOUNTING
        • SAFETY
        • TIRE REPAIR
        • TPMS
        • TRAINING
        • VEHICLE LIFTING
        • WHEEL TORQUE
    • DIGITAL EDITION