OTTAWA, Ontario (March 3, 2017) — Michelin North America Inc.'s BFGoodrich brand is preparing to roll out in Canada a winter tire it claims outperforms its predecessor in nearly every critical performance parameter.
The Winter T/A KSI will be available in 32 sizes for the 2017-18 winter season, the company told dealers and the media at a ride-and-drive event March 3 in Ottawa.
The firm has no plans at this time to market the tire, which replaces the Winter Slalom KSI, in the U.S.
Goodrich will add six more key sizes before the 2018-19 season and will give the firm more than 75 percent market coverage in the passenger car/CUV markets, according to Sabrina Garofalo, marketing manager for BFG in Canada. The sizes, covering 14- to 18-inch rim diameters, are not suitable for most SUVs or light trucks, with one or two exceptions.
Goodrich is targeting the Winter T/A KSI at the Tier 2 market segment, Ms. Garafalo said, which represents about 30 percent of the winter tire market in Canada. Overall, 68 percent of drivers in Canada say they use winter tires, according to industry statistics.