CYPRESS, CA - Toyo Tires has once again been rated the #1 Overall Brand for both consumer and commercial tires in Tire Review magazine's annual Tire Brand Study of North American Tire Dealers. This marks the seventh time in nine years that the Toyo Tires brand has received this honor in the consumer category and the sixth time in eight years for medium truck tires.

In addition to being rated the number one overall brand, Toyo Tires also topped the consumer tire Brand Study in product quality, line coverage, fill rate and adjustment policy.  For medium truck tires, Toyo Tires was also rated number one in retreadability, fill rate and adjustment policy. 

The full results of Tire Review's 2009 Tire Brand Study appear in the magazine's September issue.

Conducted by Babcox Research for the past 17 years, this prestigious survey measures the opinions and perceptions of independent dealers in North America about the dozens of brands being carried and sold.  As a part of the tire brand study, independent tire dealers were asked to rate each brand of tires they stock, or are a stocking dealer for, in a series of categories on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being highest).

"One of the most powerful acknowledgements of your efforts as a manufacturer is to be graded number one by the experts on the front lines; in our case they are the independent tire dealers," said Yasushi Takagi, president & CEO, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. "We are proud of our products, and are committed to upholding the standards that make Toyo Tires a premium tire brand."

In 2009, Toyo Tires has rolled out several new products including the Extensa A/S, an all season passenger car tire, and Extensa HP, the company's first entry-level high performance tire.  Both products belong to the new Extensa family of high-value tires.  In addition, the Open Country H/T with Tuff Duty is a new highway tire designed for load-hauling high-torque diesel pickups.  For medium commercial trucks, the new M647 premium drive tire incorporates e-balance technology for local, regional and long haul highway applications.

To learn more about Toyo Tires, the brand rated number one by independent tire dealers across North America, log on to toyotires.com.  Toyo Tires manufactures and distributes a complete line of replacement tires for high performance cars, luxury vehicles, light trucks and SUVs as well as tires for commercial trucks, buses and off-road and construction applications.