NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Bridgestone Americas has resurrected the LeMans brand, which had been out of circulation for the past four years, and has begun distributing it exclusively through its Tire Wholesale Warehouse (TWW) subsidiary.
Bridgestone is bringing the brand back in three all-season lines—Performance A/S, Touring A/S and SUV A/S—that the tire maker is marketing as an entry-level product for price-conscious consumers.
TWW will distribute the brand to dealers through its 22 warehouses and has set up a separate website that will have details of the brand's launch, etc. The company has not yet disclosed any suggested retail pricing.
The lines are produced under contract in China by Shandong Yongsheng Rubber Co. Ltd., according to the DOT codes on the tires shown on the brand's website.
Shandong Guofeng's import and countervailing duties total 56.17 percent, according to the U.S. Commerce Department's lists.
“The reliable performance of the LeMans all-season tire line demonstrates that value and quality can go hand-in-hand,” said Alan Starc, TWW's director.
“TWW's status as sole supplier of the LeMans tire brand will allow our independent dealer customers to create a point of differentiation in the market, helping set them apart from their competitors.”
TWW operates 25 wholesale distribution centers throughout the U.S., serving independent tire retailers with consumer tire products.
Regarding the new products:
c The LeMans Performance A/S tire combines all-season capability with responsive handling and grip, Bridgestone said. The tire is designed for sports coupes, sedans and SUVs and is available in sizes ranging from 17 to 22 inches in rim diameters.
c The LeMans Touring A/S tire offers enhanced handling and durability for a wide range of passenger cars, minivans and SUVs, while delivering a comfortable ride and extended tread life. The tire is available in sizes ranging from 14 to 20 inches in rim diameter.
c The LeMans SUV A/S tire delivers all-season traction, wear resistance and ride comfort and is engineered for SUVs and pick-up trucks. The LeMans SUV A/S tire is available in sizes ranging from 15 to 17 inches in rim diameter.
Nashville-based Bridgestone said it is offering limited treadwear warranties on the SUV A/S and Touring A/S—50,000 miles on the former and 55,000 miles on T speed-rated sizes and 40,000 miles on H and V speed-rated sizes of the Touring A/S.
More information on the LeMans tire line from TWW is on the brand's website at www.lemanstire.com.
Other brands distributed by TWW include Bridgestone, Firestone, Fuzion, Toyo, Thunderer and Venezia.