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加拿大中英汽車網誌
First and only Chinese/English automotive web magazine in North America (Launched since February 2000)
Chief Editor: Sammy Chan 陳浩川    Associate Editor: Edwin Lau 劉基財
 

All-new Chrysler Town & Country will be fitted with Bridgestone Turanza EL40002

When the all-new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country Limited rolls into U.S. and Canadian showrooms this fall, it will be fitted with tires from Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT).

BFNT will exclusively supply the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country Limited with specially tuned Bridgestone-brand Turanza EL40002 tires in size P225165R17 l00T. The Bridgestone Turanza EL40002 in size P225165R17 l00T will also be optional equipment on the Chrysler Town & Country Touring and the Dodge Grand Caravan SXT.

The Bridgestone Turanza EL40002 is a T-speed rated, all-season, premium luxury touring original equipment tire engineered with the company's exclusive UNI-T^TM technology that delivers performance attributes drivers will appreciate, such as practical all-season traction capability, enhanced ride comfort and reduced noise levels.

The all-new 2008 Dodge and Chrysler minivans offer customers a "family room on wheels" for just about every lifestyle and price point. The vehicles boast 35 new or improved features, including a 4.0L V6 engine mated to a minivan-first six-speed transaxle, more standard equipment including standard all-row side curtain air bags and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and an average U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of roughly $2,000 less than outgoing models.

Bridgestone-brand Turanza EL42 tires selected by Lexus as original equipment for the all-new LS 600h L luxury hybrid sedan.

Bridgestone Turanza EL42 tires in size P245/45R19 98V are one standard tire on the world’s first full V8, all-wheel-drive hybrid vehicle. The all-season original equipment tire combines sleek styling, premium comfort ride quality and quiet sound with outstanding performance in dry and wet conditions.

The 2008 Lexus LS 600h L powertrain combines a 5.0-liter V8 gas engine with two powerful electric motors, providing the vehicle with an unmatched balance of environmental efficiency and performance. With a Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) rating, the LS 600h L has nearly 70 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than vehicles with a conventional internal combustion engine.

"Bridgestone Firestone is proud to support vehicles that minimize fuel use and environmental impact," said Michael Martini, President, Consumer OE Tire Sales, Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT).

Martini went on to explain that in July 2006, Bridgestone Firestone was the premier sponsor and sole tire supplier of the inaugural Hybridfest (Madison, Wis.), the nation's largest event dedicated to hybrid-electric vehicles. More than 100 hybrids  many fitted with Bridgestone-brand tires  were on display, including all 11 hybrid models then on the market.

"We salute Lexus for advancing hybrid technology to an exciting new level that proves you can have high performance with low emissions," he added. "Vehicles like the LS 600h L are critical to ultimately reducing North America’s dependence on oil."

The 2008 LS 600h L began arriving at Lexus dealerships in July.

Bridgestone Corporation is a tire supplier for Lexus vehicles and has been since 1989 when the first Lexus model sold in North America, the LS 400, was outfitted with tires from Bridgestone. Many current Lexus luxury vehicles  including the LS, GS, ES, and IS sedans, SC coupe and GX utility vehicles and GS 450h hybrid  feature Bridgestone-brand tires as original equipment.

Bridgestone introduces new Blizzak LM-25 line of tires ready for winter

Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA) and Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) are looking ahead to the winter months with a number of new offerings to its highly acclaimed Bridgestone® Blizzak™ tire line-up

"The Bridgestone Blizzak has an impeccable reputation in the industry.  From its introduction in the North American market in 1992, the Blizzak continues to offer an incredible array of sizes and options for drivers anywhere to maximize their vehicle’s winter capabilities," said Phil Pacsi, vice president, consumer tire marketing, BFNT.

The Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25™ 4x4 is a brand new entry into the Bridgestone Blizzak lineup and is designed specifically for high-performance, luxury sport utility and cross-over vehicles.  The H-speed rated tire features a unidirectional tread design and three-dimensional sipes in a parallel pattern to increase the mobility of sport utility vehicles and crossover utility vehicles in harsh winter conditions.

The Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 4x4 will be offered in seven popular sizes:

235/65R17 108H XL            Acura MDX; BMW X5; Cadillac SRX V6; Chrysler Pacifica; Mercedes-Benz ML350; Porsche Cayenne; Volvo XC90

255/60R17 110H XL            Cadillac SRX V6; Mercedes-Benz ML320; Mercedes-Benz ML350; Volkswagen Touareg

275/55R17 109H                  Mercedes-Benz ML350; Mercedes-Benz ML430; Mercedes-Benz ML500

255/55R18 109H XL            Cadillac SRX V8 (F); Land Rover Range Rover; Mercedes-Benz ML500; Porsche Cayenne; Saab 9-7x; Volkswagen Touareg

255/55R19 103H                  Mercedes-Benz ML500

255/50R19 103H                  BMW X5(R)

285/45R19 107H                  BMW X5(R)

Bridgestone is also welcoming several size additions to the Blizzak brand family of tires this year, including six new Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25™ sizes.  The Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25, with UNI-T technology, is a directional, studless H- and V-speed rated winter tire, which delivers excellent snow and ice traction for high-performance vehicles.  The new sizes and their target vehicles are:

205/45R16 83H                    Mazda Miata MX-5

P225/60R18 99H                  Chrysler 300; Dodge Magnum

255/45R18 99H                    Pontiac Grand Prix (F)

225/50R18 95H                    Pontiac Grand Prix (R)

245/45R19 98V                    Lexus LS (97 MY)

P245/50R20 102H               Mazda MPV (97 MY)

Using a patented Multicell compound, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-Z3™ delivers winning performances in ice and snow conditions.  The Multicell compound improves control on ice by cutting through thin layers of surface water while the tire’s three-dimensional sipes enhance dry performance.  Eight new Bridgestone Blizzak DM-Z3 sizes are now available:

P235/75R17 108Q               Ford F-150

P245/70R17 108Q               Dodge Durango, Ram; Chevrolet Silverado

P265/70R18 114Q               Cadillac Escalade EXT; GMC Yukon XL; Infiniti QX56; Nissan Armada, Titan; Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, Silverado

265/60R18 110Q                  Dodge Durango; Ford F-150; Infiniti FX35; Toyota 4Runner; Lincoln Mark LT; Mercedes-Benz G500         

275/60R18 113Q                  Lexus LX470; Toyota 4Runner

285/60R18 116Q                  Lexus LX470

235/55R18 100Q                  Lexus RX330

The Bridgestone Blizzak is a studless snow tire originally developed in the 1980s for the Japanese market due to environmental concerns over studded snow tires.

Much of the Blizzak tire line uses a dual compound (cap and base) tire.  The cap features the Multicell compound, and the base is comprised of a winter compound, allowing use as a basic winter tire. The Multicell compound is comprised of thousands of microscopic cells or pores, which resemble the consistency of Swiss cheese when examined through a microscope.  The pores are uniformly distributed throughout the compound, so as the tire wears, new pores are constantly being exposed around the tire tread surface, creating thousands of biting edges that grip the road.

In addition to the biting action, the exposed pores remove the thin layer of surface water, which often develops on top of icy roads, allowing the biting edges to adhere to the surface with less interference.  The result is enhanced resistance to hydroplaning and greater driving and braking force on ice- and snow- covered surfaces.  When the Blizzak is 50 percent worn, a tread depth indicator on the tire tread lets the motorist know that only 10 percent of the remaining tread is the Multicell compound.

Pirelli launches P Zero The Hero for super cars

Pirelli introduces to the global market P Zero the Hero, the new ultra-high performance tire developed for supercars and directly derived from the experience the company has accumulated in a hundred years of competition.
P Zero the Hero represents the most technologically advanced product to come out of Pirelli’s research, a revolution for the tire industry, and offers the most demanding motorists unprecedented performance in all areas: sports handling, comfort and safety.
The latest addition to the P Zero collection, Pirelli’s high-end market leading range that is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2007, benefits from numerous innovative features developed by Pirelli and protected by five exclusive patents.
The new P Zero has obtained 15 homologations for use as original equipment on the most recent and most prestigious supercars. It is already being fitted to the Ferrari 599 GTB  Fiorano, the Lamborghini Murcielago and Gallardo, the Audi R8 and S8, the Aston  Martin DB9, the Maserati Quattroporte, the Jaguar XK, the Mercedes AMG, and will shortly appear on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione and the hottest Porsche and BMW  models.
The principal feature of P Zero the Hero is that it guarantees optimum performance in  wet or dry conditions throughout the lifetime of the tire, while combining sports handling  with comfort. In fact, the new P Zero boasts special nano-composites in the compounds of  the tread and the bead (the element of the tire anchoring it to the well rim) that  guarantee a comfortable ride together with sports performance.
The innovative tread pattern of the new Pirelli tire also permits the highest standards of  grip in wet conditions and acoustic comfort to be enhanced, while the asymmetric DA.Co  (Dynamic Asymmetric Contour) profile ensures even wear with a consistent footprint at  all speeds.
Moreover, P Zero the Hero has been designed with the utmost respect for the environment: the compounds used in fact contain no aromatic oils. Pirelli’s decision  anticipates by three full years the European directive regulating this issue, which only  comes into effect in 2010, and goes beyond the most severe parameters in the highest performance (UHP) segment.
Thanks to the Hy.Co (Hybrid Cord) system, the carcass allows the deformation of the tire  profile to be controlled through to the highest speeds (230mph), increasing the durability  of the tire, not simply in terms of outright mileage, but above all, in the consistency of  performance throughout its life.
Together with P Zero comes the Return of the Pirelli Wheel. Pirelli is aiming to respond to the demands of the most sophisticated motorists, interested  in both performance and styling, by reintroducing the Pirelli Wheel. Manufactured in  ultra-lightweight aluminum alloy, the Pirelli 5P wheel features five spokes reproducing  the company’s elongated P logo. The new Pirelli Wheel, produced in collaboration with Antera, a market leader in its sector, will also be available fitted with P Zero.

Bridgestone Dueler H/L 400 will be OEM tires for upcoming Mazda CX-9

Mazda’s all-new seven-passenger CX-9 sport utility vehicle (SUV) will ride on Bridgestone-brand Dueler™ H/L 400™ tires from Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) and Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA).

The 2007 Mazda CX-9, available in three models  Sport, Touring and Grand Touring  will be fitted exclusively with Bridgestone Dueler H/L 400 tires in sizes P245/60R18 104H and P245/50R20 102V.

The Bridgestone Dueler H/L 400 is a luxury, touring, original equipment tire that gives CX-9 owners command of the road with easy-going comfort. It features an all-season tread pattern for wet and dry traction.

"The Bridgestone Dueler H/L 400 tire was designed for SUVs but delivers the ride and handling qualities of a passenger car tire," said Michael Martini, President, Original Equipment Consumer Tire, BFNT. "It is a perfect match to the Mazda CX-9, which offers the seating and cargo space of an SUV, but drives like a sedan."

The new Mazda CX-9 will be available in dealer showrooms in early 2007.

Pirelli Scorpion line of tires, all catered to different demands of SUV owners

Many SUV owners are more interested in hauling kids and groceries and having a commanding view of the road than attacking the Rubicon Trail. For drivers of small SUV’s in particular like RAV4’s, X-trails, CRV’s and Sportages, how their vehicles ride and handle on the highway is as important as having super traction in sand, mud, or snow.

Pirelli’s Scorpion line delivers the style, performance and versatility that people expect from Pirelli street tires while maintaining exceptional all-road, all-weather capabilities.

Designed and built specifically for light trucks and SUV’s, the new all-terrain Scorpion ATR has an advanced compound and tread design that give it the performance and comfort of a street tire, without sacrificing its ability to negotiate back country trails in all weather conditions. A perfect tire for summer cottage or camping trips, it handles freeways as easily as country roads. Scorpion ATR’s are original equipment on Ford pick-ups and the Lincoln LT.

For SUV owners who prefer to stay on the road, the Scorpion STR is the ideal choice for both city and long distance driving, offering outstanding wet and dry grip as well as dependable performance in light terrain and snow. Some sizes are also offered in a more aggressive tread design for heavy hauling pick-ups. The Scorpion STR is standard equipment on a number of vehicles such as the BMW X3, several Ford SUV’s and the Volvo XC70/90.

For aficionados, the Scorpion Zero, with its distinctive "Z" tread design, is the ultimate in high speed on-road performance and the reference point in the SUV/Truck tuning market. The Scorpion Zero is featured as standard equipment on Porsche Cayennes, Volkswagen Touaregs, Land Rovers and is the ideal tire for plus fitment conversions on any SUV or pick-up.

Pirelli also offers the Scorpion Ice & Snow, representing the best in Pirelli’s winter tire know-how and is designed specifically for SUV’s in Canadian winter conditions.

No matter how long or difficult the journey, there is a tire in the Pirelli Scorpion line-up that’s perfect for the trip. Available in a variety of rim sizes from 15" to 30", the Scorpion line-up is styled to add much to the personality of the vehicle on which it is mounted.

Pirelli Launches Scorpion ATR - new SUV/Light Truck tire

Bridgestone Develops New Multi Air Chamber Tire

Bridgestone Corporation recently announced the development of a multi air chamber tire which has three separate chambers acting as pressure vessels.

The all-new type of tire contour was born from extensive R&D efforts with a view to the future of tires. The inside of the tire consists of a main chamber in the center and sub-chambers on both sides. The air pressure in each of the chambers can be controlled independently, making it possible to adjust the stiffness balance between the tread area and the left and right sidewalls. This ensures ideal contact in any condition, and thus, a more stable and comfortable drive. It also means performance can be adjusted in line with customer needs such as comfort or maneuverability.

Also, as the tire is divided into three parts, even if the air pressure in one of the chambers drops to 0kPa caused by a nail puncture for instance, the remaining chambers will be able to support the weight of the tire, so it will be able to continue to operate for a specified
distance.

Bridgestone will continue developing the multi air chamber tire for more practical use.

Bridgestone Firestone Canada offering customers “The Buy & Try 30-Day Guarantee"

Nervous about buying new tires?  Not sure that the set you purchase will make you and your car happy?

In a world where little is for certain and there are few guarantees, Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA) and Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) are letting you, the consumer, make the choice.  Beginning Feb. 1, BFCA and BFNT will take the fear out of buying tires by offering a very special type of guarantee.

“The Buy & Try 30-Day Guarantee puts consumers in the driver’s seat,” said Phil Pacsi, executive director, consumer tire brand marketing, BFNT. “If after 30 days or less you are not satisfied with the performance of our tires we will refund your money.”

“We know that tires are a necessity and not a commodity,” Pacsi continued. “In fact, the consumer is often swayed by price or what meets the eye because they cannot see the technology that lies within each tire.”

Pacsi added, ‘The Buy & Try 30-Day Guarantee is evidence that as a tire company, BFNT and BFCA are not just trying to hook consumers with a typical promotion. We are committed to the integrity of our brands and their performance in the real world.  And, we back that commitment with our guarantee.”

So as Bridgestone Firestone Canada and Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire make the offer: seize the moment and the day – test new tires your way – they are guaranteed! The Buy & Try 30-Day Guarantee does not apply to tires supplied as original equipment on new vehicles or a select number of performance or Run-Flat specialty tires.

Hercules Terra Trac SUV and Terra Trac A/T added to Hercules Tire Canada's product portfolio

Hercules Tire Canada recently announced the official launch of two entirely new light truck tires under the Hercules banner – the Terra Trac A/T and Terra Trac SUV, specifically designed for the broad SUV vehicle market.

"Following a year of research & development, these new tires give us an opportunity to provide consumers with safe products and great value - plus offer an alternative to the major brands in the Canadian marketplace," said Rob Keller, vice-president of Hercules Tire Canada.

"We’re introducing 47 new Terra Trac SKUs or part numbers covering the original equipment sizes for North American and Japanese vehicles. There are 29 new sizes of the Hercules Terra Trac A/T and Terra Trac SUV spans 18 sizes. These new products are scheduled to roll into Hercules Tire dealers across the country beginning first week of January 2005," Keller said.

According to Keller, "in conjunction with the Terra Trac and Ultra Touring launches, our field representatives will be setting up high-impact, consumer-friendly product displays throughout our dealer network showrooms across Canada to promote the tires."

"We’re excited about the new Terra Trac tires. It certainly fills a void in our SUV line-up and we believe our dealers are really going to get behind these great new products."

Hercules Tire Canada offers a wide selection of top quality commercial tires, consumer tires and wheels for all applications through its network of 350 dealers located in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. Hercules-brand tires are available in Western Canada through Remington Tire, based in Edmonton.

For more information, contact: www.herculestireca.com.

Hercules Tire boosts Ultra Touring product line by adding 20 sizes

Hercules Tire Canada today announced the introduction of 20 new tire sizes and a total of 49 SKUs (stock keeping units) to further enhance popularity of its own brand, the Ultra Touring consumer tire. New sizes are expected to roll into Hercules Tire dealers across Canada during January, 2005.

“We’re adding tire sizes to include all applicable speed ratings and additional sizes within each speed-rated category,” said Rob Keller, vice-president of Hercules Tire Canada. “If an Original Equipment (OE) tire is introduced by a new vehicle manufacturer from North America, Japan, or Europe, we want to be ready to offer consumers an alternative to a national brand. Our plan is to remain current with fitments offered by vehicle manufacturers.”

“Hercules Tire is positioned to be a viable option for consumers looking to replace their OE tires. Plenty of tire testing and evaluation is being conducted to support this strategy. In fact, during a recent Ride and Drive event at a test track in San Antonio, Texas, a group of 18 Hercules Tire dealers were given first-hand experience. Two driving groups were created and using two Ford Mustangs, each vehicle was fitted with Hercules 55-series tires. The groups tested both ‘T’-rated and ‘V’-rated tires.” According to Keller, ‘V’-rated tire performance was tested to be 8-10 percent faster on a consistent basis.

According to Keller, Hercules Tire Canada experienced strong growth in 2004, which ended its fiscal year, October 31. “We are very pleased with our overall 15 percent growth rate compared to 2003. Our driving force is product development in the consumer market category. We also witnessed steady gains in commercial markets,” Keller said.

“Several new products are already in development and we expect to launch these new tires in the first-half of 2005. In the winter tire categories, sales of passenger, light truck and SUVs across the board have dramatically increased 10-15 percent versus last year,” said Keller. “When customers are shopping for a set of four winter tires, we recommend they make sure Transport Canada’s stamp – the snowflake symbol – is on every tire sidewall purchased. Consumers view winter tires as a pure automotive expense. However, smart consumers realize they’re investing in eight tires and will have optimum tire performance for 12 months,” Keller said. “These consumers also tend to purchase an extra set of wheels to simplify the installation process. This means a quick changeover at the dealer outlet. This especially applies if you have an expensive wheel on the vehicle, typically alloy or chrome, which do not ‘winter well’ primarily because of the salt on our roads.”

“From a recommendation standpoint, a professional dealer/service provider will insist on putting on four winter tires. It’s a must for front-wheel-drive vehicles and it’s recommended for rear-wheel-drive vehicles as well. It’s purely a safety and handling issue,” Keller added. “We stock 55 different sizes in our winter tire line-up under the Signet Winter Trax and Polar Trax brands. In terms of coverage, this number equates to 95 percent of all vehicles on Canadian roads including passenger vehicles, light trucks and SUVs,” said Keller.

“In fact, approximately 4 million tires are sold annually in Canada’s winter tire market compared with 3.2 million tires in the U.S. market. We have experienced consistent growth in this market for the past 5 years,” Keller said.

Hercules Tire Canada offers consumers a wide selection of top quality tires and wheels for all applications through its network of 350 dealers located in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. Full distribution for Hercules-brand tires in Western Canada i.e. Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg and Vancouver is through Remington Tire, based in Edmonton.

For more information, contact: www.herculestireca.com.

BFGoodrich^® Tires introduces all-new g-Force™ Sport

BFGoodrich^® Tires expands its g-Force™ family with the introduction of the g-Force™ Sport, an entry-level, ultra-high-performance tire developed for the sport-compact vehicle owner looking for maximum performance at an affordable price. The new tire features a cutting-edge tread design in line with the mindset of the younger sport-compact consumer. BFGoodrich will launch 20 sizes of the g-Force Sport on May 1, 2004.

"The ever popular g-Force traits like performance and technology are now offered to a younger clientele that still values image but equally values a good deal," says Michaela Yasin, BFGoodrich Tires Brand Manager in Canada. "We are thrilled because even if the g-Force Sport is available at a lower price point, the qualities and characteristics that have made the g-Force such a successful line of ultra-high performance tires have not changed."

The g-Force Sport blends BFGoodrich’s technology and authentic performance with an accessible price point. The result is the brand’s first product designed for young ultra-high-performance fans and a tire that out-styles and outperforms the competition.

Featuring BFGoodrich’s ETEC System™ (Equal TEnsion Containment System), the g-Force Sport provides excellent strength, a smooth ride and a consistent footprint. This helps maintain maximized tread contact under high-speed conditions, giving drivers the confidence they need to reach new heights safely.

Visit BFGoodrich^® Tires online at: http://www.bfgoodrichtires.ca

The new Yokohama Avid H4s/V4s line of all-season high performance tires combines best-in-class handling, ride and all-weather confidence for the owners of premium cars in Canada, Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc. has announced.

The new line of H- rated and V-rated tires is aimed squarely at the centre of the expanding market for performance all-season tires and represents the latest marriage of sophisticated compounds created for ultra high performance tires (UHPT) with optimized tire contact patch and a unique tread design.

"The Avid H4s/V4s was developed with the goal of achieving better traction, mileage and performance without sacrificing ride comfort," said Sean Nakano, director of marketing for Yokohama Canada. "We have taken the best features of the original Avid H4/V4 and improved all-season traction and extended the tire’s usable mileage."

"There is no contradiction in the term ‘all-season performance tire’ when we refer to the Avid H4s/V4s," added Nakano.

The Avid H4s/V4s comes in 31 sizes, to fit 14-inch to 18-inch rims, and in 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 and 65 aspect ratios.

The tread compound is derived from UHPT technology developed from the extensive Yokohama racing experience, creating exceptional grip in wet and dry conditions. But the compound also has excellent wear characteristics for extended mileage.

The tread design itself features four large circumferential grooves, a staggered back design, a continuous centre rib, large shoulder blocks and multiple cross grooves. The circumferential grooves help evacuate water and contribute to lateral traction, and work with the staggered back design to improve lateral stability and wet traction. The centre rib enhances on-centre-steering ‘feel’ and high speed stability, while the large shoulder blocks help improve the contact patch and add cornering grip (including in snowy conditions). The multiple cross grooves aid wet weather traction.

The new Avid H4s/V4s tires will be included in the popular Yokohama "Totally Loonie" rebate program that rewards consumers with up to $100, direct from the retailer, on the purchase of a complete set of one of the company’s six high performance tire lines. In addition to the Avid H4s/V4s, the AVS Sport, AVS S/T, Parada Spec II, AVS dB S2 and AVS ES100 are also eligible for the program.

The market for all-season performance tires has grown steadily, in keeping with the growth in the premium car segment. Respected brands like Acura, Audi, BMW, Infiniti, Lexus and other premium automobiles offer their cars with all-season performance tires as original equipment. With three product lines designed to meet the needs of these car owners (AVS dB S2, Avid H4s/V4s and Avid T4), Yokohama has become a leader in the market for all-season performance tires.

The Avid H4s/V4s line comes with a UTQG rating of 500/AA/A and 4-year/100,000 kilometre limited tread warranty. In addition, buyers also qualify for the Road Hazard Protection Plus program and the Yokohama 30-Day Satisfaction Guaranteed Trial Offer.

Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc. markets and distributes full lines of tires for high performance, passenger car, light truck, commercial truck and bus, as well as off-the-road mining and construction applications. It maintains distribution centres across Canada to serve more than 1,000 independent tire outlets.

Uniroyal^® Canada Launches New Tiger Paw Touring Line

To respond to the evolving demands of passenger car and mini-van owners, Uniroyal^® Canada introduces the new Tiger Paw^® Touring line of tires. 

"We’ve put the new Touring tire to the test. This next-generation of Uniroyal tire delivers exceptional treadlife, excellent dependability on wet and dry pavement and the added peace of mind of a great mileage warranty," says Marie-France Lechasseur, Brand Manager, Uniroyal Canada.  "Customers looking for a dependable tire from a respected brand at a fair price will find the perfect answer in the Tiger Paw Touring tire."

When designing the new Tiger Paw Touring line, engineers achieved technology advancement with an optimized tread/mold material and architecture design that allows the new tire to provide excellent wet performance without compromising tread life.  Previous technology resulted in this wet-wear compromise.  In testing at the company’s tire proving grounds, the new Tiger Paw Touring demonstrated outstanding wear, dry braking and handling, wet braking and handling, resistance to hydroplaning and overall improved noise.

The Tiger Paw Touring tire is now available at tire dealers across Canada in 36 sizes including 22 T-speed rated sizes (up to 190 km/h) and 14 H-rated sizes (up to 210 km/h); V-rated sizes (up to 240 km/h) will be introduced in 2005. 

The new T-rated sizes will feature a 130,000 kilometre manufacturer’s treadwear warranty and expanded touring fitments while replacing the existing Tiger Paw^® Touring TR line. Both H- and V-rated sizes will feature a 90,000 kilometre treadwear warranty.

Uniroyal continues to be a leader in the touring and mass market categories.
The three major passenger car and mini-van categories: Touring H/V, Progressive Mass Market and Traditional Mass Market, accounted for nearly half of the entire 18.5 million tires sold in the Canadian replacement market in 2002.

The new Tiger Paw Touring tire is aimed directly at this large and very important market and is positioned perfectly to capitalize upon the original equipment trend toward higher speed-rated fitments. 

The new Tiger Paw Touring tire will fit a broad range of today's most popular cars and mini-vans including the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord and the Dodge Caravan.

Michelin HydroEdge gives drivers an edge rain or shine

Michelin's newest versatile all-season tire, the HydroEdge, now offers Canadian drivers additional protection against a common hazard on Canadian roadways- hydroplaning. As tires are the only part of the car that comes in contact with the road, drivers want to ensure that this contact is maintained during all driving conditions. With this in mind, Michelin has developed a tire that gives drivers an edge both in dry and wet conditions. HydroEdge offers exceptional hydroplaning resistance by featuring dual centre grooves that are non-interrupted, meaning that it can evacuate water away from its contact point very quickly and efficiently.

Michelin's latest ultra-premium all-season tire HydroEdge features full-depth sipes- narrow slits in the tread blocks used for adding traction on slippery surfaces. The tire is made with a silica compound in the tread for optimal wet traction and braking. The HydroEdge tire also features specially-angled grooves- HydroChutes that further reduce water flow turbulence for excellent overall wet weather performance.

Coupled with its distinctive look, Michelin HydroEdge will appeal to those customers who seek optimal performance and safety while also seeking the best "look" for their vehicle. Drivers of T-rated sedans and minivans will find an edge in Michelin  HydroEdge. HydroEdge offers a 140,000 km tread wear limited warranty, one of the longest in the industry. More info can be obtained from www.michelin.ca.

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This fall, Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc. introduces the new Ice Guard IG10 with state-of-the-art winter tire technology that changes the way tires handle winter roads by changing the way winter tires are designed.

"Ice Guard raises the standard for winter traction and, by default, handling, stopping and confidence in winter driving conditions" says Stéphane Morel, National Manager, Marketing and Communications, Consumer Products. "Yokohama’s new and unique compound technology maximizes traction by combining Shelled Micro-Bubble Technology and Silica Compound with ZERUMA Agent."

In addition to the IG10 (left-hand illustration), the IG721 (right-hand photo) – a unidirectional, performance tire designed for premium automobiles – will also be released this fall in Canada.

Yokohama’s new IG10 compound uses shelled micro-bubble technology to enhance the water absorbing power, helping the tread surface to stay solidly in contact with icy and snowy roads. It absorbs water and breaks the microscopic water film between the tread and ice and snow surfaces

The shelled micro-bubble maintains the rigidity of the tread blocks to create sharp biting edges to deliver confident snow and ice traction. The silica in the compound with a ZERUMA agent secures high grip and softness at a wider range of temperatures.

The tread pattern on the Ice Guard IG10 consists of five circumferential grooves with finer tread blocks that provide excellent uniform contact pressure and increase the void ratio to improve snow traction and braking performance. The new pattern uses micro diagonal grooves and newly developed three-dimensional Pyramid Sipes, which have been specially designed for the Ice Guard products to optimize ice and snow performance.

Morel says the new three-dimensional Pyramid Sipes create strong tread blocks that resist deformation and maximize traction under snowy, wet and dry conditions. Reduced block deformation promotes "edge effects" and increases the surface contact patch.

At the very beginning of the tire life, the micro diagonal grooves add additional biting edges to enhance grip on ice, snow and water. They also help improve water evacuation on a microscopic level.

"The enemy of traction is the thin film of water between the tire tread and the ice," Morel explains. "The water is actually causing the slippage. Eliminating much of the water between the ice and snow surfaces and the tread increases its friction with the road itself and hence improves traction."

The IG10 is available in 26 sizes ranging from 12 to 17 inches in 60, 65, 70 and 80 series aspect ratios. The IG721 is available in three sizes from 16, 17 and 18 inches in 45, 50 and 55 aspect ratios. Both Ice Guard IG10 and IG721 are Severe-Snow Rated and Q-Speed Rated.

Ice Guard owners are protected by Yokohama’s worry-free Consumer Assurance Program, which includes Yokohama’s unique 30-Day Satisfaction Guaranteed Trial Offer (until December 31, 2003), Yokohama’s Road Hazard Protection and Yokohama’s Limited Warranty coverage.

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Bridgestone Potenza RE070 chosen as OEM tires on Subaru Impreza WRX-STi

Michelin's ALPIN family of winter tires

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Michelin’s Durablack technology has made tire polisher a thing of the past

Consumer tastes and expectations of tires are evolving: while traditional attributes such as handling, comfort, safety, performance and durability are still major considerations, new ones such as look and aesthetics are emerging. To meet this growing concern, Michelin has launched a new compound technology called Durablack^TM. This new feature allows the tire’s sidewall to stay black during its entire life.
With the introduction of Michelin’s Durablack technology, gone are the days of dull brown tires, and there is no need for tire polisher anymore. Tires such as the Michelin X ONE with Durablack^TM shown here will now maintain its rich black colour throughout its life.
The Durablack technology is available on a variety of Michelin products, such as the leading Michelin X ONE and the newly added Cross Terrain SUV tire specially designed for SUV vehicles.

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Michelin introduces Cross Terrain SUV to address the need of today's SUVs

Designed primarily for today's new breed of SUVs, the all-new Cross Terrain SUV tire from Michelin offers smooth, car-like ride and improved handling and wet stopping. 
"Cross Terrain provides excellent handling compared to other popular SUV tires I've tested," said Chip Pankow, test driver for Skip Barber Racing School. In addition to offering a better look and improved road-handling, the Michelin Cross Terrain SUV provides superior traction on wet pavement as well. Full-depth interlocking sipes enable tread block stability that provides exceptional wet and snow traction. 2 carcass plies, enhanced casing system and square, stable contact patch provide even wear and responsive handling. Innovative bead design and bead tension structure improve ride comfort and handling. Larger cables in the steel belts also add strength, durability and stability under load.
Cross Terrain SUV has been designated as original equipment on 2002 Ford Explorer, Acura MDX, Jeep Grand Cherokee, GMC Envoy, Chevrolet TrailBlazer Oldsmobile Bravada and Lincoln Blackwood etc.

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Yokohama AVID S/T All-season performance with looks to match

All-season performance with looks to match. That’s what Yokohama Tire new AVID S/T is all about. The AVID S/T not only delivers the look that the enthusiast wants, it delivers the performance. Like the new Avid S/T, many tires in this market segment feature raised white sidewall lettering for a sporty look. What sets the AVID S/T apart from the rest is that it delivers aggressive performance and is an ideal fit for this segment of the vehicle market. Part of the AVID (Advanced Integrated Vehicle Design) family of Yokohama products, the AVID S/T delivers smart steering response, stability and confident all-season traction.

“The AVID S/T is the ideal upgrade for light trucks, full size vans and early-to-late model muscle cars,” said Mr. Joe Higuchi, Vice-president Sales and Marketing for Yokohama Tire (Canada). “Its sports appeal doesn’t stop at the way it looks. The AVID S/T gives a true step-up in performance for pickups, vans and older muscle cars.”

Designed and built with Yokohama’s proven state-of-the-art technology, the AVID S/T features a Tri-Plex tread compound, consisting of three separate tread compounds. These tread compounds work together to provide high performance grip, long, even treadwear and all-season  traction.

The three tread compounds are:
CAP Compound- designed for all-season grip.
Base Compound – composed of heat-resistant rubber for greater stability, higher heat durability and quicker steering response.
Buttress Compound – built into the sidewall to ensure flexibility and protection against cracking.
The tire’s contoured bead design enables better tire-to-rim fit for reduced friction, improved handling, increased durability and a smoother ride. The 20% V-groove provides an optimum angle that allows for maximum water drainage, increasing wet traction and reducing noise.
The AVID S/T carries an outstanding UTQG rating of 420 and is available in 50-, 60-, 65- and 70-series and in 14” and 15” sizes. Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc., markets and distributes a complete line of products for high performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, and off-the-road mining and construction applications.  
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Uniroyal Canada offering discount coupons through new website

Uniroyal Canada now brings peace-of-mind to Canadian Internet users thanks to its new bilingual web site www.uniroyal.ca .
" We're just getting started!" indicated Marie-France Lechasseur, Uniroyal Tire Brand Manager for Canada. "The first phase of UNIROYAL's web site contains all the necessary information to help consumers select the tire that best suits their needs and to learn about its benefits.  Also, exclusively on our web site, we are launching our special winter promotion ! "
In essence, rebate coupons up to a $60 value, and valid towards the purchase of four Tiger Paw Ice and Snow with NailGard tires (see promotion details on our web site @ www.uniroyal.ca) are available only on the UNIROYAL web site, which constitutes a first for the company.
"We firmly believe in the potential of the Internet to form a lasting relationship with our consumers," added Marie-France Lechasseur. "The next phases of development for the site will allow us to reinforce this bond with an interactive module, a section dedicated to events in which we will be participating, and shortly, a tire selector which will allow you to find the proper size tire for your vehicle. The current web site version includes: A tire catalogue including features and benefits on Light Truck and Passenger tires.
A dealer locator which will help you find the nearest Uniroyal authorized tire dealer, using your postal code. An e-mail address to send your questions and comments to Uniroyal Canada. 
Uniroyal®, Tiger Paw, Laredo and NailGard are registered trademarks of Michelin North America. Michelin Canada is headquartered in Laval, Quebec. It operates four plants and employs approximately 5,000 people.

Uniroyal creates the Tiger Paw Ice & Snow tire with NailGard

Flat tires can occur at any time of the year and changing a tire at -20C is not only uncomfortable but also risky. Prevention now comes in the form of the new Tiger Paw Ice & Snow with NailGard from Uniroyal.
Designed to handle some of the toughest conditions winter can throw at Canadians, it gives drivers excellent traction in snow, ice and slush and peace of mind knowing that dreaded punctures will be sealed instantly and permanently. Its highly siped tread surfaces and deep tread grooves give the tire the ability to grab snow covered roads. 
The NailGard technology contains a patented rubber sealant that lines the interior of the tire's tread and is designed to instantly and permanently seal most tread punctures. In most cases, the tire does not go flat and motorists avoid the danger of having to pull over on a busy highway or deserted road in the middle of winter.
The Tiger Paw Ice & Snow with NailGard is available in 13 sizes ranging from P175/70R13 through P215/65R15 through P225/60R16 for blackwalls. The tire is backed by a 6 year material and workmanship warranty and six year road hazard protection plan.
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BFGoodrich g-Force T/A^KDWS all-season ultra-high preformance tires

Famous for its Comp T/A high-performance street tires, BFGoodrich has just introduced the g-Force T/A^KDWS setting the all-season benchmark for ultra-high-performance tires and is designed for those who want their passion for driving in all road and weather conditions.
    Compared with Comp T/A ZR4, the g-Force T/A^KDWS provides breakthrough improvements in wet handling, wet braking and wet lateral grip, as well as improved handling, traction in dry conditions. The new tire is also quieter and better on snow than Comp T/A ZR4.
    A major contributor to the remarkable performance of this tire is its innovative asymmetric design. A centre rib with tapered lateral voids gives the tire its excellent on-centre feel, superb steering response and exceptional high-speed stability. A patented S-shaped variable groove taper, combined with large stable tread elements and multiple grooves, enhances snow traction and equalizes grip in wet and dry conditions.
    Currently available in 16- and 17-inch sizes, the g-Force T/A^KDWS carries a 400 treadwear grading, the highest achieved by an ultra-high-performance tire.
    BFGoodrich is a division of Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. Return to top of page

Yokohama launches all new Geolander I/T- the latest in ice terrain radial

Yokohama Geolander had been one of the favorite choices for SUV owners and is OEM tire for a number of SUVs. Launched recently, the all new Geolander I/T exceeds the performance of previous models on ice and snow. Even the logo for the tire has an icy look with the North Star gleaming above the I in I/T.
The Geolander I/T has been developed with FHB tread compounds adapted from the Guardex series. An ice-sticking compound with Silica and Zeruma in combination has optimized the ability of the tread to stay flexible in the cruelest winter conditions.
While it is well known that silica in rubber compound is an effective way to improve flexibility and softness at low temperatures, the problem has been to achieve uniform dispersal within the compound mixture. Yokohama's Zeruma enhanced rubber material achieves this mix through proprietary technology. The result is an even distribution of silica allowing the composite to achieve its performance potential.
The tread pattern of the tire incorporates many design features to accomplish its goal. The tire's directional pattern facilitates water evacuation and snow ejection while maintaining a high actual contact area ratio. Two circumferential grooves deliver strong water evacuation and team up for firm lateral control. The zigzag shaped continuous tread edges on the centre tread increases edge effects while the inside edge blocks form an interior groove pair that kicks out snow for increased traction.
The Geolander I/T is available in a wide range of LT and P-metric sizes to fit most SUVs and light truck vehicles, with 20 SUV sizes available, the widest size coverage in the industry.
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BFGoodrich introduced world's first color, high performance tire, the Scorcher T/A

The Scorcher T/A, targeted primarily to import and sport-truck aftermarkets, sets a new standard for athletic good looks with the use of Raging Red, Screaming Yellow and Blazing Blue tread colors that actually refresh as they wear.
The Scorcher T/A employs a distinctive tread pattern consisting of stable shoulder elements outboard and water-dispensing channels inboard for superior traction and control. Its unique silica-reinforced tread compound enhances both wet and dry traction, which has been optimized for maximum grip for both autocross driving as well as daily use. Its optimized footprint stress distribution provides for longer wear under normal driving and precise steering response during high performance operation. Offered in 16-, 17- and 18-inch sizes, the Scorcher T/A is available in V- and H-speed ratings.
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Uniroyal's solution to flat tires: the Tiger Paw Nailguard

Getting a flat tire is one of the biggest concerns for drivers, second only to accidents. As most flat tires are caused by nail or screw punctures, Uniroyal developed a patented self-sealing compound that permanently seals 90% of most of these tread punctures to help avoid flats.
The Nailguard's self-sealing technology is a patented rubber compound that lines the interior of the tire's tread and is designed to immediately and permanently seal tread punctures while driving. This means that in most cases the tire does not go flat and motorists avoid the danger and inconvenience that result from having to pull over and change a flat tire on a busy highway, or even worse a deserted road. Uniroyal's Tiger Paw Nailguard comes with a 130,000 km limited treadwear warranty.
 

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