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Dunlop Propels Brand with Two New Ultra-Performance Tire Lines
LAS VEGAS — In another bold move to further strengthen its tire lineup in North America, Dunlop announced today that it is adding two ultra-performance tires that target the industry's fastest growing segments.
Since 2004, new products have been key to the brand's growth in the United States and Canada. In that time, Dunlop has introduced 11 new tire lines, including the SP Sport Maxx GT maximum performance tire and Direzza Sport Z1 extreme performance tire.
Todd Hershberger, director of Dunlop Tires, said, “New products are the lifeblood of our business. New tire development is focused on the industry's fastest growing areas, such as in high-performance and crossover sport-utility-vehicle tire sales. These two tires broaden our high-end performance offerings.”
The new tires will be showcased at the Specialty Equipment Market Association convention here (booth 41427, South Hall). The SP Sport Maxx GT maximum performance tire already has gained attention in Europe from enthusiast magazines and automakers seeking original-equipment tires for their high-horsepower models, Hershberger said. Germany's AutoBild Test & Tuning magazine gave the tire an “outstanding” rating.
The Dunlop flagship tire line employs MRT — Multi Radius Tread — Technology to help place more rubber on the road for enhanced traction through all stages of cornering, a requirement among driving enthusiasts, he said.
The Direzza Sport Z1 is a competition tire for driving enthusiasts who want optimal dry traction for autocross, road course maneuvers and drifting at the track. Australia's Hot 4s & Performance Cars and Greece's top enthusiast publisher Option Press gave the tire high marks for its extreme performance.
“These two very different tires target driving enthusiasts who have different needs. The SP Sport Maxx GT is a street tire for sports cars that require maximum performance. The Direzza Sport Z1, meanwhile, is developed for competition and the driver who demands extreme performance, ” Hershberger said.
For example, the Direzza Sport Z1 was used at the Dunlop Drivers Cup in September on Virginia International Raceway's road course.
Moreover, the two Z speed-rated tires are part of the tire industry's fastest growing areas. The numbers of Z-rated replacement tire shipments have more than doubled in the past six years — from 2 percent in 2001 to nearly 5 percent last year. New-car Z-rated tire shipments have more than tripled, from 1 percent to 3.3, according to industry figures.
V-rated performance tires have experienced similar gains, data shows, while H-rated tires have shown uneven or modest gains.
Dunlop is a global tire brand with an excellent reputation among performance car enthusiasts. Well known for its prestigious original-equipment fitments and sports car racing heritage, Dunlop is also a key supplier to sport compact enthusiasts featuring “tuner” tire sizes and race series sponsorships.
For more on Dunlop performance tires, go to http://www.dunloptires.com.
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