ZC Rubber previews new truck, PCR lines

LAS VEGAS—Zhongce Rubber Group Co. Ltd. (ZC Rubber) previewed its latest lineup of Westlake truck tires as well as new products it plans to add to the Arisun passenger car radial lineup.

ZC debuted four new patterns in its Westlake Gen II truck tire lineup, part of 13 tread designs the company will offer for the North American market.

The truck tire series, for long-haul, regional and mixed-service applications, features technologies such as pre-strain contour theory to reduce tire deformation; ultra hybrid formula for lower rolling resistance; and belt-wrap technology to enhance tire life, stability and fuel efficiency.

The Westlake Gen II series, which has been available in Europe, has been designed and adapted for North American roads, according to Henry Shen, vice president of ZC Rubber.

"With a focus on durability, fuel efficiency, and sustainability, we are confident the Westlake Gen II series will meet and exceed North American market demands," he said.

The four patterns shown at the recent SEMA Show in Las Vegas include:

• W-Elite SL11, a steer position/long haul product. ZC said this was designed with a solid shoulder and advanced tread compounds, engineered to endure long to regional conditions, ensuring durability alongside optimal wear, fuel efficiency and cost-per-mile effectiveness.
  
  The tire is SmartWay-verified and has a wide shoulder for enhanced stability, decoupling grooves with tread block edge sipes for uniform ground contact and treadwear, and section sipes for wet traction performance.
   
• W-Elite DA25, a drive position/long haul product. This all-weather product has the Three-Peak Mountain Symbol (3PMS) designation. ZC Rubber said it offers reliability and traction while lowering fuel expenses, providing durable, even wear with a tread depth of 26/32nd.
   
• W-Elite ZA12, a steer/all-position/regional tire. ZC Rubber said this product is ideal for regional routes, and is SmartWay-verified. It delivers stability, fuel efficiency and uniform wear, and its solid shoulder enhances handling. Its compound improves fuel economy, the company said, with increased road grip and effective water drainage.
   
• W-Elite ZM41, all position/mixed service product. ZC Rubber said the tire is built to excel in on-road and off-road environments, able to handle heavy loads at lower speeds across a variety of road conditions, from normal to aggressive. The optimized lug pattern enhances grip and handling, the company said, while a cut- and chip-resistant compound increases durability in rugged environments.

Stone rejectors protect the casing, and reinforced casing construction supports durability and retreadability.

"We've tailored the lineup to meet the unique challenges North American fleet operators encounter daily," Chen said. "Our goal is to provide tires that not only extend lifespan and reduce fuel costs but also reliably perform across North America's varied landscapes."

ZC Rubber also released the Arisun Aggresssor ZXP11 and the Aresta A/T ZG16.

The Arisun Aggresssor ZXP11 is designed for high-performance drivers, offering responsive steering and stability at high speeds. Its four main grooves improve wet traction and reduce hydroplaning, the tire maker said, while high-density siping enhances braking for solid control on both wet and dry roads.

The Arisun Aresta was made for off-road enthusiasts, providing grip on mud and loose surfaces with side-biter lugs. Its aggressive shoulder design resists cuts and abrasions, making it tough enough for rugged terrains and extreme adventures.

ZC Rubber said the Arisun passenger lineup covers several applications, including ultra-high performance; high performance; 4X4, highway terrain; all-terrain; rugged terrain; mud terrain and specialty tire.

ZC Rubber recently broke ground in Saltillo, Mexico, on a new tire manufacturing facility, an investment of more than $500 million. The facility be situated on nearly 150 acres in the Alianza Industrial Park, located about 150 miles from the U.S. border.