Semperit – 75 years of winter tyres

Nokian Tyres is widely acknowledged as a winter tyre pioneer, but other companies also played a part in the introduction of season-specific tyres. One such firm is Semperit, who this year celebrates three quarters of a century in the winter tyre business.

The Austrian tyre maker introduced its first winter tyre, the ‘Goliath’, in 1936. Back then the new product was not known as a winter tyre, however – in order to maximise the range’s appeal and application it was promoted as a tyre for off-road use in all seasons. The Goliath line-up was offered in five dimensions and proved so successful that it was manufactured until the late 1940s. Semperit’s first M+S tyre was launched in 1952 and eleven years later the company offered its first studded winter tyres.

“Our brand of winter tyres has been in existence for 75 years,” said Semperit product manager Heike Schöpper. “And we’d like to celebrate that with our new model, the Speed-Grip 2.” This new passenger car and light commercial vehicle range, available in some of Semperit’s European markets, is promoted as possessing a new tread compound that helps achieve very good results on both dry and snow-covered roads: “The special tread structure of the Speed-Grip 2 offers additional grip for braking and curves on typical winter roads.” A total of 48 sizes for 15 to 18-inch rims will be added to the Speed-Grip 2 range.