Today BFGoodrich Commercial Truck Tires introdcued its DR454, a SmartWay-verified drive tire for on-highway trucks. The DR454 is suited for LTL, TL and super-regional duty cycles and is designed to be retreadable.
During an online news conference this morning, Donna Murphy, business segment manager, explained that the new tire is aimed at mid-sized and (50-200 vehicles) small (under 50 vehicles) fleets as well as owner-operators running trucks that may “require a SmartWay-verified tire and value tires maximized for fuel efficiency.
“The new BFGoodrich DR454 offers low rolling resistance and, with the SmartWay designation, meets the fuel efficiency expectations, carrier certifications and regulations that today’s highway operations demand,” Murphy continued.
“It also provides serious grip in wet conditions, excellent retreadability and long, even wear for a SmartWay-verified tire,” she added.
The BFGoodrich DR454 is available immediately in 11R22.5 and 275/80R22.5 sizes, both with Load Range G.
Murphy pointed out that putting the DR454 with its existing ST244 or ST230 all position/steer tires and TR144 trailer tire means BFGoodrich now offers a “total SmartWay-verified solution” for highway applications.
The existing BFGoodrich DR444 on-highway drive tire will continue to be offered as well. Murphy said, by way of comparison, that the DR444 is designed primarily to deliver long tread life while the new DR454 is optimized for fuel efficiency.
“The new BFGoodrich DR454 SmartWay verified highway drive tire provides regulation compliance and fewer stops at the pump,” Murphy summed up.
“I urge everyone in the industry to stay tuned,” she added, “because this is just the beginning of exciting things to come for the BFGoodrich brand.”
The BFGoodrich tire brand is marketed by Michelin North America. Murphy told FleetOwner that BFGoodrich tires are aimed at “buyers seeking tires with performance attributes offered at an intermediate price point.”
