SEMA News—February 2015
GLOBAL TIRE EXPO NEW PRODUCTS
By Mike Imlay
TIA’s Global Tire Expo Shows Its Traction
A Wave of New Tire Products Hits the 2014 SEMA Show
Held in conjunction with the recent 2014 SEMA Show, the annual Global Tire Expo (GTE)—Powered by the Tire Industry Association (TIA)—continued its reputation as a world-class “show within a show,” highlighting the tire niche’s tremendous significance within the automotive specialty-equipment marketplace. 
Designed to serve the unique needs of dealers and businesses representing every sector of the tire industry, the GTE provided attendees with countless opportunities to see, learn about and discuss the latest advancements in tires through exhibitor displays, hands-on demonstrations and conferences. In fact, with its product offerings ranging from light-duty to off-road to heavy-duty tires, the 2014 Expo saw a 30% increase in event registrations over the prior year.
“I am excited that the Global Tire Expo continues to experience growth and am pleased to have welcomed many new exhibitors,” said TIA Vice President Roy Littlefield. “TIA worked closely with our visible partner, SEMA, to ensure that this year’s Show was a tremendous success. Industry professionals know that there is great value in exhibiting and attending GTE, and we’re confident that it will continue to be a success in the years to come.”
SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting said that TIA has been a valued partner in a strong GTE at the SEMA Show each year.
“The Global Tire Expo is a perfect enhancement for the SEMA Show, delivering valuable product introductions, education and business connections to members of both our trade associations,” Kersting said. “We are obviously proud of this partnership.”
TIA traditionally launches its annual GTE with pre-Show events, which took place at Caesars Palace on Monday, November 3, 2014. The day included TIA’s annual meeting, a cocktail hour, a tire-industry awards ceremony and a welcome reception.
In advance of the official GTE opening, Michelin North America and TIA also announced recipients of the Michelin/TIA Scholarship Awards for the academic school year. A total of $6,250 was awarded toward college educations for Alexa Swingle of Omaha, Nebraska; Zachary Tayor of Mt. Olive, Illinois; and Kaitly Wade of Stevensville, Michigan.
Throughout Show week, the GTE also focused on the latest trends in recycling, retreading and high-tech tools and equipment. Educational sessions led by top industry experts ran from Tuesday, November 4, through Thursday, November 6. And, perhaps most important of all, there were new innovations galore to excite the entire specialty-equipment industry.
The following pages provide a look at the fresh new GTE tire products that were unveiled in the 2014 SEMA Show New Products Showcase.
View all 100 Global Tire Expo New Products (PDF)
The Mastercraft SRT features a modern touring compound and stability-control siping that improves handling capabilities and all-season performance throughout the life of the tire. |
The Cooper Discoverer SRX brings tread technology innovations, such as Stabiledge and advance silica compounding to deliver precise handling and all-season performance for CUVs and SUVs. | |
Achilles’ unique mud tire is designed with a three-step tread block pattern for all-terrain performance and a specialized X-Protection sidewall for durability. |
The Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring is crafted with advanced technology for superior wet control and innovations such as Wear Square that provide confidence of tread-wear feedback. | |
The Cooper Discoverer A/TW combines unique tread design features and an optimized silica tread compound for uncompromised performance in all four seasons and all terrains. |
RightPSI is a tire cap that turns orange when tire pressure is low, black when not and | |
Armstrong tires are made in Thailand in a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant using the latest technology. |
The Groove Glove mobile tire diagnostic tool is a laser-powered tire tread-depth and alignment measurement instrument utilizing cloud-based software developed by Tire Profiles Inc. | |
MTS flip sockets. Thin wall sockets. Large, easy-to-read markings. Part number 01683 is 19x19 mm. Part number 01684 is 3/4 x 3/4 in. |
The Deegan 38 Pro 2 wheel from Mickey Thompson features an eight-spoke design | |
Reinforced rubber sensor, OE sensor, universal sensor—light as rubber, strong as aluminum. The best solution for the faults of aluminum valves and rubber valves. Safety: No risk of leakage under high-speed driving or rubber deformation. Anti corrosion: Salt usage in snow season spilled to an aluminum valve can cause corrosion. |
The Groove Glove mobile tire diagnostic tool is a laser-powered tire tread-depth and alignment | |
Designed for installing and removing clip-on-style wheel weights on light- to heavy-duty trucks. The 28-ounce cast-steel head with anti-marring replaceable hammer face is safe for use on steel, aluminum and chrome. It offers a 34% larger strike area than typical wheel-weight hammers. |
This wrench will give a torque of 4,800 newton meters. It makes nut-loosening work ever easier. The kit includes a torque multiplier and two optional sockets. Any adaptor is available upon request. | |
Read tire pressure on a phone. Do-it-yourself TPMS solution. No installation cost. Simple and intuitive user interface. Receiver generates visual and audio alerts. Ruggedized tire pressure sensors. Receive tire problem alerts without opening app. Install sensors by hand; no tire technician needed. |
The Winntec Wheel Lifter allows a technician to safely remove or replace tire/wheel assemblies from and onto a vehicle without physical strain, no matter the vehicle’s position on jack stands or post lift. Move from the vehicle to changer to balancer and back without ever lifting the tire/wheel assembly. Travels from floor to post lift height. | |
Euro-metric commercial tires for eurovans. Landsail LSV88 C-designated tires are manufactured for a broad range of commercial vehicles with higher load-carrying capacities. |
A four-in-one cap and core remover/installer. At 113/4 in., it has enough reach to check the inside of dual tires. A longer valve-cap grip works on flow through, double-seal valve caps. No more dropped caps; holds onto caps and valve cores for removing and replacing. Unbreakable under normal use. | |
Premium SUV-LT/CUV tire offers a unique mix of wear resistance, all-weather traction, low rolling resistance and outstanding value. Available in 32 sizes with 16-20-in. rim diameters. Features up to 70,000 mile/112,000 km limited mileage warranty and road hazard protection. |
M/T Metal Series MM164M features an eight-spoke design with diamond-cut accents, a piano-black finish with clear coat and a pop-top center cap; 18- to 20-in. fitments. | |
Qwik-Sensor packaging is full color, illustrating all sensor configurations in the smallest box size. Main panels alternate positions for clear messaging regardless of shelf placement. Trilingual and color coded to match product application colors. |
The Exo Grappler AWT is built to meet the all-weather demands of off-road truck enthusiasts. The Exo Grappler AWT is built for four seasons of four-wheeling. Featuring an all-new, chip-resistant, all-weather compound, three-ply sidewall construction and large, thick sidewall lugs, the Exo Grappler AWT provides armor for the elements. | |
Tech500 Cubelec programming fixture. The first integrated programming solution for cub-style aftermarket sensors. Technicians can easily program and validate any cub-style sensor on the Tech500 TPMS tool. |
Qwik-Sensor is an innovative multi-coverage TPMS sensor program featuring ease of | |
Quick Pressure tire monitor is a mechanical device that replaces the valve-stem cap on any vehicle. The decorative unit remains on the valve stem. If tire PSI is correct, monitor will show green; 10% loss of air, monitor will start to show red. These units are made from brass and are chrome plated. Each unit is displayed with the PSI on top of cap. |
The Tech500 wall-mounted charging cradle and Bluetooth printer were custom made for the market-leading TPMS tool. The wall-mounted cradle will protect and charge the tool wirelessly, all in one. Print a TPMS audit report directly to a Tech500 Bluetooth printer anywhere in the shop. | |
Accelera tires are made in Indonesia in a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant using the |
All-season ultra-high performance with innovative dual-nature asymmetrical tread design. Enables user to mount either side out to maximize performance in dry or wet conditions. Massive tread rubber blocks. Multiple pitch variation shoulder blocks for low noise. Four large circumferential grooves for efficient water evacuation. | |
One-piece tire repair designed for 6mm; additional sizes available. For tubeless or tube-type radial and bias tires. Built-in lead wire for simple installation. |
A 100% wireless TPMS with three-minute instant installation. Improve fuel savings up to 10%. Extend tire life up to 13%. Increase driving safety. Universal external-type sensor. |
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.
Achilles Tire
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.
RightPSI Inc.
Zafco Tire International
Tire Profiles-TreadSpec
Myers Tire Supply
Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels
E-Lead Electronic Co. Ltd.
Tire Profiles-TreadSpec
Ken-Tool
Qingdao Hwi Li Hwa Auto Parts Co. Ltd.
MobiusOne Technology Corp.
Gaither Tool Co.
Qingdao Sentury Tire Co. Ltd.
Ken-Tool
Hercules Tire
Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels
Standard Motor Products Inc.
Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc.
Bartec USA LLC
Standard Motor Products Inc.
Quick Pressure
Bartec USA LLC
Zafco Tire International
Vee Rubber
Tech International
Josn Electronic Co. Ltd.
