KIRSEHIR, Turkey — Petlas Lastik Saniye Ve Ticaret A.S. has designed a high-performance winter tire, the SnowMaster 2, that will be available for North American customers this year.
Petlas cites the tire's asymmetric tread pattern for its "unparalleled" stability and grip in all road conditions, including wet and slushy roads in addition to snow-covered surfaces. Three circumferential channels enable the efficient evacuation of water and snow at high speeds.
Interconnected, reinforced tread blocks in the tread's wider outer side provide enhanced cornering and wear resistance, Petlas said.
The product is available in 35 SKUs, including rim diameters up to 20 inches, and carries the industry's 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMS) designation for winter traction. Petlas did not say what speed rating the line carries.
Order are by containerload only, Petlas said. Pricing information was not disclosed.
Tires can be ordered through Dunlap & Kyle, Point S and Janak Global, Petlas said.
Established in 1976 initially as an aircraft tire producer, Kirsehir-based Petlas has grown to become a full-line supplier. It has been owned since 2005 by Abdulkadir Özcan Group (AKO).
The firm announced plans earlier this year to build a second production venue at its complex in Kirsehir, a $360 million project that would raise annual capacity for passenger and light truck tires by 42% to 340,000 metric tons.
