GT Radial winter coach tyre takes bow at Euro Bus Expo 2016

The GT Radial GSW226 will make its show debut at the Birmingham NEC’s Euro Bus Expo 2016. The brand’s first specifically winter-marked tyre for the sector is targeted at coach operators who need to meet UK and trans-European winter road regulations. GT Radial manufacturer Giti Tire will also use the show as an opportunity to broaden awareness of the company’s flagship Giti brand, which entered Europe earlier in 2016.

Both Three Peak Mountain Snow Flake (3PMSF) and M+S marked, the high traction steer pattern for snow, ice and wet road conditions is available in 315/80R22.5, the key size for the majority of coaches, as well as 315/70R22.5, 385/55R22.5 and 385/65R22.5. The GSW226 has been designed with a wide shoulder groove for optimum handling and stability and an advanced compound for high mileage potential.

Also maintaining a prominent position will be the GAU861 urban city-bus all-position tyre, which has recently been shortlisted by Nottingham City Transport as a tyre of choice following a two-year project to maximise return-on-investment. The pattern, in size 275/70R22.5, is being utilised on both steer and drive axles across the entire Scania chassis fleet, which includes both single and double deck bus bodies in 4×2 configurations. The tyre is also 3PMSF and M+S marked.

Positioned at stand 44 and utilising the Giti Tire corporate name and colours, visitors will also see the 17.5” and 19.5” GSR225 Combi Road, the 17.5” GAR820 regional all-position pattern and the the 22.5” GDL617 and GT629 drive axle and GT867 urban tyres. All products are M&S marked.

Tony McHugh, TBR sales and marketing director UK at Giti Tire, said: “This is the fourth consecutive time we have exhibited at the NEC at both Euro Bus Expo and Coach and Bus UK, and year-on-year we have seen our market share grow thanks to a dedicated sector portfolio with key application sizes.

“As well as highlighting our current GT Radial portfolio, it also gives us the opportunity to introduce the Giti rebrand and clarify that many of these leading products will still be available through 2017 and beyond, many with improved certifications and performance.”

In April 2016, Giti Tire launched its flagship Giti brand into its European Truck and Bus (TBR) operations. The strategic initiative, which will replace GT Radial through a mixture of new tyres and relabelling of existing successful products, will begin immediately and be fully implemented by the end of 2017.

The GT Radial GSW226 and GAU861 are just two of many successful tyres in the current portfolio that will be transferred into the Giti name. Further information on the Giti truck and bus rollout will be disclosed over the coming months.