AKRON—Commercial sales of Goodyear's Assurance "WeatherReady" all-season tire line—introduced in January at its national dealer conference—are scheduled to start by the end of August and be widely available by early October.
The tire, to be launched in a range of 15- to 20-inch rim diameter sizes, is targeted at owners of minivans and SUVs, Goodyear said at the dealer meeting in Orlando.
Goodyear plans to support the launch through multiple channels with a national marketing plan aimed at reaching consumers at various communication touchpoints, a company spokesman said.
Consumers will see WeatherReady content and conversations on various social channels, in traditional media, on digital media and promoted during nationally televised events where the Goodyear Blimp will be providing aerial coverage.
These executions will be accompanied by in-store promotions at tire installers/service centers, the spokesman added.
The size range for the new tire is expected to cover more than three-fourths of cars, minivans and SUVs registered throughout the U.S., Goodyear said. Among the targeted vehicles are: Toyota Camry, Corolla and Highlander; Ford Edge, Escape and Explorer; Honda Accord, Civic and CR-V; Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe; Nissan Altima and Rogue; and Chevrolet Cruze and Equinox.
Calling the WeatherReady its "best traction tire ever," Goodyear said the product features:
- 3D TredLock technology blades for "predictable" traction in turns when the weather changes;
- Asymmetric tread for traction in any weather;
- Sweeping tread grooves that force water away;
- Zig-zag biting edges for snow and ice traction; and
- Evolving traction grooves to provide like-new traction as the tire wears.
The company posted a 2-minute video on YouTube highlighting the features.
Goodyear did not disclose pricing information at this time.