SmarTire Achieves Milestone with its Commercial Vehicle System

SmarTire Systems Inc. (OTCBB: SMTR) announced that it has completed the development of a new receiver allowing for the manufacturing of its tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) for commercial vehicles to commence in July 2004. This new TPMS includes a highly sensitive, weatherproof, controller area network (CAN) SAE J1939 chassis mounted receiver designed to meet the stringent requirements of original equipment manufacturers (OEM). SAE J1939 is the most widely used communication standard in commercial vehicles.

The new receiver combined with SmarTire’s high pressure sensors, creates a technically advanced TPMS targeted directly at manufacturers of commercial trucks, buses, agricultural, construction and recreational vehicles. Evaluation systems are currently being tested by several OEMs.

“This system is not an adaptation of a passenger car product but has been designed specifically to satisfy the demands of the commercial vehicle market,” stated Erwin Bartz, Vice President of Business Development of SmarTire. “This TPMS integrates effectively with in-vehicle displays and monitors both tire pressure and temperature. The new system allows commercial vehicles to achieve improved fuel economy and tire life in addition to minimizing tire fires and unscheduled downtime due to tire problems.”