![]() The Terra Trac AT X-Venture, one of the tires used on the trip, has a design and treadwear to give SUVs and light trucks the power to handle off-road action and harsh winter weather among other elements. ![]() Lastly, the two new tires were created because of a change in the competitive landscape as well as consumer behaviors and an appetite for customization given today’s vehicle’s styling and performance, Liu said. Liu added that it also made sense to unveil these new models given the rise in the crossover vehicle market. and Hercules said in the same Tire Review story from July that the company will offer 57 SKUs between the two models in 15 – 20 inch rim diameters. Since the tire model was at the tail end of its life cycle, it didn’t make sense to introduce new sizes for that model, but it did make sense to do so for the new generation of the tire, he said. Second, dealers were asking for different sizing and fitments. So, why replace a best-selling tire? There’s two reasons.įirst, since the AT II was launched, the “technology in terms of compounding has changed drastically, as well as the manufacturing technology aspect of it, so it was time,” Liu said. Steven Liu, senior director of proprietary brands at Hercules Tires, spoke during a product overview the day before dealers hit the trails. The company said both tires cover more than 80% of the all-terrain tire market. The models were launched so that Hercules could cover more of the all-terrain market and appeal to a broader base of customers. The next-generation of the Terra Trac AT was launched in July under two distinct models–the Terra Trac AT X-Journey for CUVs and the Terra Trac AT X-Venture for SUVs and light trucks, according to our story from July. Liu said the Terra Trac AT II, one of Hercules’ most successful tires over the past nine years, has been a staple product for tire dealers, selling over 500,000 units per year at peak. This was the type of performance Steven Liu, senior director of proprietary brands at Hercules, described during a product rundown the day before dealers hit the trails. The traction on all three tires was enough for the Jeeps to glide up slopes and through sand. The rest of the course, which was 16 miles total–12 off highway–included obstacles such as the “hot tub,” which was a straight shot into a pit of water, and the dragon’s tail, a steep, winding slick rock slope. With a little maneuvering and guidance from Twisted Jeeps driving instructors, the tires gripped the slippery slope and made it to the top. Sitting behind the wheel of the Jeep and watching a few others go up the first obstacle, it looked as if the Jeep might slide backwards. A Hercules Victory at Hell’s RevengeĪfter driving from the Twisted Jeeps lot about 10 minutes to the Hell’s Revenge trail with Hercules’ Camilla Jesko, marketing manager of proprietary brands, as my passenger, we made the steep trek up the dirt path, to our first slick rock obstacle on Hell’s Revenge. Hercules Tires’ Terra Trac AT X-Venture, Terra Trac M/T and Terra Trac T/G Max were put to the test on the trail. ![]() Jeeps from local tour operator Twisted Jeeps head down slick rock on the Hell’s Revenge trail in Moab, Utah. The second trail, Poison Spider Mesa, is a more technical trail with steep climbs, large rocks and some sharp turns. The first trail, Hell’s Revenge, is a slick rock trail that features steep climbs and descents that look very difficult, but are pretty safe given the excellent traction on sandstone–even on a day filled with rain, according to the Twisted Jeeps website. To give the tires more traction in the slick sandstone and wet dirt, the tires were aired down appropriately for added traction given the various terrains, said Jeff Mahoney, Hercules brand manager for the Midwest region. Over a span of a week and a half, Hercules Tires welcomed a total of 50 dealers over three groups to test out its Terra Trac AT X-Venture, Terra Trac M/T and Terra Trac T/G Max tires on two trails with local tour operator Twisted Jeeps. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |