Text: ACI Bureau
L to R: PK Walia, Vice President, Consumer Tyre Business, Goodyear India; Rajeev Anand, Vice Chairman & MD, Goodyear India; Mike Rytokoski, Vice President – General Manager, Consumer Tyres, Asia Pacific Region
Goodyear India, the Indian arm of Goodyear Tyres, recently launched its Assurance Triplemax tyres which is targeted towards mid-level hatchbacks and entry level luxury cars. Goodyear claims that this is the first product by the company which comes equipped with HYDROGRIP technology.
The tyre which has already been launched in countries like China and Australia, is designed to give better grip in wet conditions thus reducing braking distance. It will be available in 14″ to 16″ rim diameters and in multiple sizes.
“Setting a new standard in tyre innovation, the Assurance TripleMax uses HYDROGRIP technology, a Goodyear proprietary technology that allows drivers to reduce braking distances by more than 2 meters on wet roads compared to other tyres in the market today¹,” said P.K. Walia, VP Consumer Business, Goodyear India.
The company also organised a drive at the Buddh International Circuit where the high speed breaking capabilities were demonstrated. The Assurance TripleMax boasts of functionalized polymer tread compound with improved molecular bonding, two ply constructions in the sidewall area for added protection against road hazard and reinforced and stronger carcass cords for providing more resistance to potholes and impacts.
Goodyear informed that although the tyre has been developed in Luxembourg but has been designed keeping in mind Indian conditions. Speaking to ACI, Mike Rytokoski, Vice President – General Manager, Consumer Tyres, Asia Pacific Region, said on investments in development centre in India that they will look at it depending on the market conditions. However, without divulging figures, Rytokoski said that they are investing in factories here to build capabilities and capacities to meet market demand.
Goodyear has two plants in India, one each in Ballabgarh and Aurangabad, which are primarily into manufacturing of passenger vehicle tyres.
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