New Geolandar A/T is 'toughest' yet

MOAB, Utah (March 15, 2016) — Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) has launched an all-terrain version of its Geolandar light truck tire line, the Geolandar A/T G015, that YTC said is “engineered for durability” and improved traction in all weather conditions.

Calling the tire the “toughest and most versatile” Geolandar of the line's portfolio, Andrew Briggs, senior director of tire business planning, product planning and sales operations, said the tire meets the Rubber Manufacturers Association's severe snow service criterion and offers “some of the best mileage in the industry.”

Available to the public April 1 in 60 light-truck and P/E metric sizes, the A/T G015 offers:

• All-season traction based on the use of Yokohama's exclusive orange oil compound and advanced tread design;

• Stamped with the mountain/snowflake symbol in line the RMA designation; and

• Limited treadwear warranties — 60,000 miles for P/E-metric and 50,000 miles for LT-metric sizes.

Yokohama said the size range covers 96 percent of the market for today's pick-ups and SUVs. The P/E metric size range runs from P235/75R15 108T to 275/60R20 115H, while the LT sizing runs from LT 215/75R15 10097S to LT 325/60R20 121/118S. YTC also offers six flotation sizes in 15-, 18- and 20-inch rim diameters.

The A/T G015 will replace the AT-S as the all-terrain version of the Geolandar line.

Asked about suggested pricing, Bob Abram, Yokohama's product planning manager for consumer products, said  the new tire's price range would be "close to" that of other earlier Geolandar models in the line, adding that OE pricing is "generally pretty high in most markets."

He called the G015 an "excellent value," noting, "this tire is a value thing for dealers."

The tire is being built at Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. factories in  Rayong, Thailand, where Mr. Abram said the majority of Geolandar products are currently being made, as well as in Japan and Clark Freeport Zone, Philippines.

He told Tire Business he wasn't sure about any domestic manufacturing but the situation is constantly being evaluated. The company's Mississippi plant is currently geared toward commercial truck tires, but Mr. Abram added that "eventually we would like to get consumer product in there."