Cooper Ready to Roll With New Lines

Cooper Tire & Rubber had a busy week at SEMA, revealing plans for a series of new tyres for some of its associate lines and talking up its green tyre success. Cooper officials said that sales of its first green line, the Cooper GFE, have been outstanding, and dealer and consumer feedback have been positive. The tyre was introduced earlier this year.

The tyremaker is working on a number of updates to its UHP products, and plans to have those ready in time for SEMA 2010. In addition, Cooper officials said, a number of new sizes are planned for its light truck/SUV lines. On display in its SEMA booth were some of its Roadmaster medium truck tyres. Cooper no longer offers Cooper brand truck tyres, but officials said the brand may return to the market in a couple of years. Right now, all of Cooper’s Roadmaster tyres are produced in China. Also new at the show were the Starfire 510 LT and Starfire 510 SUV, all-season light duty lines that will roll out in the first quarter of 2010. The 510 SUV will get 15 sizes covering 15- to 17-inch wheel diameters and carrying a UTQG of 500AB, while the 510 LT will have 11 LT-metric and flotation sizes, Load Ranges C, D and E.

Cooper’s Mastercraft brand will see the new MC-440, a new entry level tyre, early next year, as well. Cooper officials said they plan to turn over some 44 per cent of the Mastercraft line-up next year, not including new sizes in existing lines. (Tire Review)