CYPRESS, Calif. — Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. has launched a second-generation Open Country H/T all-season highway tire for pickup trucks and SUVs. The tire maker claims the latest version offers improvements in braking, handling, tread life and traction over the original, which was launched in the early 2000s.
Toyo attributes the Open Country H/T II's performance improvements to a number of design changes, including a new wear-resistant tread compound, patented tread design features—including adaptive circumferential grooves and expanding shoulder grooves—and the use of multi-wave sipes and four circumferential grooves.
Toyo is backing the H/T II with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty for P/Euro-metric sizes (50,000 for LT sizes) and a 500-mile/45-day trial offer.
The new product launches in 57 sizes, ranging from 235/75R15 to 285/45R22 and includes 21 LT sizes. The average minimum advertised price is approximately $185.
Toyo also has upgraded the tire's aesthetics with a dual sidewall design that allows owners to customize their vehicle with a "classic" or "sporty" look. The classic design is reminiscent of the Open Country H/T, while the sporty side features high-contrast lettering and a stylized shoulder and sidewall. Outlined white letters also are available.
Toyo indicated the H/T II outperforms the H/T in most performance categories but didn't provide specifics as to how much. Toyo will continue to offer the Open Country H/T for a period of time after it is discontinued in case dealers still have product and consumers are looking for information, Toyo said.
The tire is being built at Toyo's Miyagi, Japan, and White, Ga., plants.
The H/T is one of six Open Country models available. Others are the all-terrain A/T II; rugged-terrain R/T; CUV/SUV touring model Q/T; and commercial-grade C/T; and off-road maximum-traction M/T.