Tyre market being expanded amid rapidly growing Grabber segment

TYRES for 4x4s and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are traditionally one of the focal points of the General Tire brand, which celebrates its centenary this year.
In recent years, the US company has overhauled its products, and adapted them to meet the needs of vehicle owners in Europe and other key markets around the world, including South Africa. This has resulted in three product lines, all sharing the “Grabber” product name.
“Grabber” also indicates the 4×4 link of these tyres. The “GT” is designed for on-road use for SUVs. “AT” indicates all-terrain tyres for use on rough terrain and roads. “MT” is the choice for use on challenging off-road terrain. What they all have in common is robustness and grip.
The tread pattern of the Grabber AT has been designed in such a way that it is suitable both for use on rough terrain, as well as for on-road use. In addition, this all-terrain expert features a large number of robust blocks that interlock with the ground, and allow the vehicle to move forward, and steer precisely, while ensuring short braking distances on rough terrain.
The deep tread grooves provide additional grip when the vehicle is traveling over muddy roads or slippery grassland. Aggressive shoulder blocks that reach into the side wall of the tyre prevent the sidewall from being damaged. The Grabber AT has also been designed in such a way that it offers high tread strength for driving on the road, and thus carries out the steering and brake commands precisely.
General Tire manufactures this tyre locally in Port Elizabeth, supported by imports of selected sizes, in a wide product range for rims between 15 and 20 inches in diameter, matched to a speed rating of up to 210km/h.
As a thoroughbred specialist in hard off-road use, the Grabber MT (Multi-Terrain) features an open, self-cleaning tread with solid blocks. These interlock with rubble, stony ground, sand, and sludge to ensure ultra-high traction, even on the most difficult passages.
To protect the tyre from impact breaks and damage, its three-layer carcass was designed to be particularly robust and hence long-lasting, even in extreme off-road use. With these details, the off-road tyre makes for a safe and highly resilient companion on rough terrain. General Tire manufactures the tyre for 15 and 16-inch rim diameters, with metric and US sizes. As an off-road specialist, it is approved up to 160km/h.
With the Grabber GT, the all-wheel tyre specialist General Tire offers a road tyre especially for the high demands placed on SUVs and AWD-powered cars. Its particular advantages include a high safety factor when braking on wet and dry roads alike, precise handling, and safe aquaplaning characteristics.
To lower the fuel consumption of SUVs, the developers reduced the rolling resistance by seven percent, while also raising the mileage performance by three percent and increasing the ride comfort by eight percent.
The tyre is produced in 50 sizes, with speed approvals between 190 and 300km/h. The tyre sizes are suitable for different SUVs in road use such as the Audi Q3, Honda CR-V, Range Rover Evoque, and Porsche Cayenne. The range of available sizes for the South African market is currently being expanded to accommodate this rapidly growing segment.