Cooper AT3 lineup receives Good Design award

FINDLAY, Ohio — The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design has singled out Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. with "Good Design" awards, which recognize "cutting-edge" industrial, product and graphic designs.

Cooper was recognized for its Discoverer AT3 line and Discoverer True North winter tire range, which Cooper said were selected from more than 900 entries from nearly 50 countries.

The Chicago Museum presents its Good Design awards annually in cooperation with the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies for their design excellence.

The AT3 line of tires includes three all-season, all-terrain tires for SUVs and pickup trucks and the Discoverer True North, a tire designed to provide strong grip and handling in winter weather.

Cooper called the award one of the world's "most prestigious and longest-standing design award programs recognizing the most innovative and cutting-edge industrial, product and graphic designs produced around the world." The award is based on innovative design, new technologies, form, materials, construction, concept, function, utility, energy efficiency and sensitivity to the environment.

Scott Jamieson, Cooper's director of product management, said the tires "were developed utilizing insights from consumers — resulting in tires that truly stand up to drivers' expectations.

"... Earning Good Design award recognition provides further third-party validation of Cooper's commitment to offering innovative products that perform."

The Discoverer AT3 lineup includes the AT34S, AT3LT and AT3XLT.

The Discoverer AT34S, which won a New Product award at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, provides reliable performance with both on-road comfort and off-road durability for SUVs and pickups, Cooper said.

The tire's adaptive-traction technology grips all types of surfaces under the most severe weather conditions, while the Discoverer AT3LT features a durable-tread technology that hauls heavy loads with less wear and can withstand difficult dirt and gravel conditions.

The Discoverer AT3XLT offers the features and durability found in the Discoverer AT3LT, Cooper said, as well as rugged, biting edges on the tire's shoulder that provide extra grip and resistance to punctures.

The Discoverer True North combines control and handling for confident winter driving, according to Cooper. The tire grips the road in cold weather conditions with a pliable tread compound that remains flexible when the temperature drops.