Continental asked, so give it to them

For those people who always say, “If I was designing this…,” here’s your chance. Well, OK, you’re not actually designing the product, but you input is being sought.

Continental Tire the Americas, as part of its display at this week’s Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, is asking drivers, fleet managers, and anyone else who wants to stop by their booth, to offer their input on Continental’s next great tire – the company’s first super single drive tire for highway use.

The company already has a super single trailer tire, the HTL1, but now it’s getting into the business of super single drive tires. The HDL2 Eco Plus (the "223" at right), expected to launch later this year, is expected to provide superior fuel economy, exceptional traction, and a weight reduction over dual fitments, the company said.

What Continental doesn’t know yet, though, is what you think.

“We are currently running two competing designs in a unique real-world test, utilizing our Untamed Innovation Tour mobile exhibit. But today we are offering a special chance to let our valued customers become a part of the most technically advanced tire engineering in the world. For the first time, the two designs under consideration will be on display at Mid-America and we are inviting the public to provide their feedback,” said Roger Stansbie, director of radial truck tire engineering for Continental – the Americas.

“While our ultimate choice will depend on the tire’s performance and durability, we welcome the commentary of the drivers and fleet managers who attend the Mid-America Truck Show and use these products every day,” said Clif Armstrong, director of marketing for commercial vehicle tires in the Americas.

“This is their unique chance to give direct feedback to the 1,700 Continental engineers worldwide who develop our products – and to be a part of our tire development process. There’s no better place to do this than the industry’s largest trucking event, Mid-America,” Armstrong said.

Continental is at booth # 18252.

Go ahead, offer your advice. Continental asked for it.