Milestar Weatherguard AS710 to be made in Tennessee

GARDENA, Calif. — The launch of a new Milestar-brand tire, the all-season Weatherguard AS710 Sport, represents an evolution of sorts for exclusive-brand distributor Tireco Inc.

The tire will be made in the U.S., and it will be backed by a treadwear warranty of up 80,000 miles; two firsts for the brand.

The AS710 Sport also represents an evolution in the "touring category" for passenger tires that consumers have long sought, according to Andrew Hoit, Tireco's vice president of sales and marketing.

"This is the new touring category: High speed ratings, yet still long lasting and with great performance attributes," Mr. Hoit said.

The AS710 Sport offers an all-season option in the Weatherguard line for passenger and CUV products, which includes the all-weather AW365, introduced to the market in 2017.

The AS710 Sport is M+S (mud and snow) rated and comes in 59 sizes covering 15- to 20-inch wheel diameters, including popular, low-profile performance and original equipment sizes and with T, H and V speed ratings.

The Weatherguard AS710 Sport All-Season Tire for coupes, sedans and CUVs, "delivers consistent performance for the life of the tire, providing a quiet and comfortable ride, while its surefooted, long-lasting performance is expected to redefine the sport touring category," the company said.

The tire will be manufactured in Tennessee, Mr. Hoit confirmed, although he declined to be more specific about the maker. 

Hankook Tire America Corp. and Nokian Tyres Inc. both have passenger tire plants in Tennessee. 

"Sourcing products from the U.S. is a new thing for Tireco, and one that we are excited about," Mr. Hoit said.

When asked whether rising import duties to Asian countries that Tireco imports products from played a part in the decision, Mr. Hoit said the plan for the tire was "long in motion" before recent rulings.

"It is not necessarily in response to the rising import duties, but more in our strategy of a diversification in our production planning," he said.

The AS710 Sport offers limited treadwear warranties of 60,000 miles for H- and V-rated tires and 80,000 miles for T-rated tires.

"The Weatherguard AS710 Sport is a great addition to our passenger and CUV tire lineup," Mr. Hoit said.

"It truly embodies the characteristics we look for in an all-season tire. Great tread pattern, advanced compound, diverse size range and made in the United States. Moreover, our expanded lineup of passenger car tires will provide our dealers more choices to fulfill their customer's needs."

Other notable features of the Weatherguard AS710 Sport, according to the company, include:

• "Miletech" silica-enriched tread compound, delivering improved handling and enhanced durability in both wet and dry conditions.
• Optimized tread blocks, variable depth siping and lateral grooves all allow this tire to perform season after season, with enhanced braking and handling in inclement weather.
• An optimal profile and construction combined with wide circumferential ribs also improves stability, handling, and grip, while groove serrations aid in reducing road noise and cooler operating temperatures.

The AS710 comes with a 30-day ride guarantee and road-hazard protection.

Founded in 1972, Gardena-based Tireco is a private brand marketer and distribution company that exclusively owns and distributes the Milestar, Geostar, Geotrac, Nanco, TracGard, Sendel and Forte brands. Tireco also is the exclusive distributor of the Nankang brand in North America, and the WestLake brand in the U.S.