As it promised last year, Falken Tire Corp. has launched its first Ohtsu-branded passenger radial to North America.

The all-season Ohtsu FP7000 performance tire is hitting the market in a range of 14- through 18-inch wheel diameter sizes, Falken said.

The new Ohtsu FP7000 “delivers year-round traction, smoothness and stability, and features enhanced cornering, braking and acceleration characteristics,” Falken claimed. And the tire features a non-directional tread pattern designed for easy rotation.

“The Ohtsu FP7000 is the perfect OE replacement tire for a variety of applications,” stated Andrew Hoit, Falken vice president of marketing. “The Ohtsu brand is noted for offering high quality products at excellent price points, and with the FP7000, Ohtsu delivers a tire with superb capabilities at the value end of the market.

“We have made a commitment to our customers to provide a strong mix of products,” Hoit added, “and Falken understands the growing pressures that many customers face today. We are confident that Ohtsu passenger tires will be extremely competitive, and the FP7000 is the kind of tire consumers are looking for based on its capabilities and affordability.”

Both the Falken and Ohtsu brands are part of the Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which is producing the new Ohtsu passenger line.