LOUISVILLE, KY - There were plenty of new truck tires and truck tire technologies, at the 2012 Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, Ken., according to Modern Tire Dealer magazine.

Yokohama Tire Corp.

Yokohama is previewing its 709ZL drive tire, which available in two sizes: 295/75R22.5 and 11R22.5 sizes.

“By pairing our advanced compound with a tread design that’s different from any other tire, our engineers have successfully created a drive tire that is remarkably fuel efficient,” says Rick Phillips, director of commercial sales.

The 709ZL will be available in the latter part of 2012. It has a solid shoulder rib and serpentine grooves for extra rigidity and stability, and a unique Z Block tread pattern designed to improve wet traction and lower rolling resistance.

Michelin North America Inc.

The Michelin Americas Truck Tires (MAST) division is showcasing its new Michelin X Multi Engery D drive tire for regional and super regional applications. The SmartWay-verified tire delivers enhanced fuel efficiency, optimized traction and long tread life to provide significant value and performance, according to the company.

“Michelin continues to push the boundaries of balancing traditional performance characteristics, and the new X Multi Energy D tire is no exception,” says Ted Becker, vice president of marketing for MAST. “This tire strongly addresses the mileage, fuel, traction and scrub concerns of the regional trucking application, as well as what we see as an emerging super regional application -- trucks that operate approximately  100,000 miles per year, often within a 500-mile radius.

“This super regional application is the result of the continued trend to shorter routes in the trucking industry. The application is demanding. Our customers are looking for the fuel efficiency of a line haul product with the mileage and traction of a regional product."

The tire features Michelin’s Dual Energy Compound Tread. The top layer of tread rubber is precisely balanced to deliver exceptional fuel efficiency while exhibiting the needed wear properties to resist tread scrub. The bottom layer of tread rubber maintains cool casing temperatures for low rolling resistance and extended casing life.

Continental Tire the Americas LLC

Continental has two new fuel-efficient tires on display: the HSL2 Eco Plus (Heavy Steer Long-Haul) steer tire, and the HDL2 Eco Plus Wide Base longhaul drive tire. The company also

The weight reduction and lowered rolling resistance of these tires and the HTL1 trailer tire, launched in 2009, represents Continental’s most fuel efficient operation for long haul trucking, says Clif Armstrong, director of truck tire marketing in the Americas.

Continental also gave attendees a sneak peek at its new third-generation “ContiGOODSCasing” technology. The new casing "provides lower rolling resistance; a wider platform for increased mileage and deeper treads; and advanced capabilities for retreading through a more durable shoulder, bead and belt package," according to the company.

"Products with the ContiGoodsCasing will be introduced fully after MATS, with a new line of drive tires for highway and regional applications," says a Continental spokesperson.

GITI Tire (USA) Ltd.

With the recent certification of its GT Radial GT979 FS trailer tire (pictured), GITI has a SmartWay GT Radial truck tire for every axle position. The trailer tire joins the GT Radial GT Radial GSL213 FS steer tire and GT669+ FS drive tire on the SmartWay verification list.

“This is great news for our customers because trailer tires have a significant impact on fuel economy,” says William Estupinan, GITI Tire technical director for the Americas.

According to Estupinan, here is the breakdown of the axle's contribution to tire fuel economy on a tractor-trailer combination,

* steer tires, 15% to 20%;

* drive tires, 30% to 40%;

* trailer tires, 40% to 50%.

“We have a great story to tell in terms of our product line-up in North America and an outstanding cost-per-mile performance,” says Tom McNamara, vice president of sales for GITI Tire North America.

Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB)

TRIB is expanding its "Spot The Retreads" competition at MATS. Visitors to TRIB booth No. 13036 can enter the contest and try to correctly identify a range of new and retreaded tires.

Participants who correctly identify all the tires will be entered into seven daily drawings for sets of eight commercial truck tires to be retreaded on the participants own casings. The total value of the tires to be given away during the show exceeds $10,000.

The following TRIB members are generously providing retreading services for the seven winners at the show: AcuTread Alliance Group, Bridgestone Commercial Solutions Group, Continental Tire the Americas, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Marangoni Tread North America Inc., Michelin Retread Technologies and Oliver Rubber Co., a Michelin subsidiary.

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