Cooper Kicks Off Busy 2011 With Texas Launches

In a year in which Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. will introduce the most new products to the North American market in the company’s history, the tiremaker is starting things off with a bang.

"Cooper has traditionally been a follower when it comes to new technology – but that is not the case anymore," Chris Ostrander, president of North America tire operations, told select media at a ride and drive event held earlier this week. "From now on we will focus on innovation to introduce new, technologically advanced products – while still keeping our mid-level price point in the market."

Held at the Cooper Tire & Vehicle Test Center in Pearsall, Texas, some 40 miles south of San Antonio, this week’s event showcased four tires the company first introduced at the 2010 Global Tire Expo/SEMA Show: the Zeon RS3-A, Zeon RS3-S, Discoverer A/T3 and Discoverer S/TMaxx.

The 1,000-acre facility provided an ideal setting to put each of the tires to the test – on wet and dry handling courses for the all-season UHP Zeon RS3-A and summer UHP Zeon RS3-S; and in a hill climb, rock crawl and other off-road tests for the Discoverer A/T3 and Discoverer S/TMaxx.

The Zeon RS3-A, which replaces the current Cooper Zeon Sport A/S, will launch Apr. 4 in 31 initial sizes, with additional sizes scheduled for release later in the year. The RS3-A combines large tread elements and asymmetric design, as well as a silica tread compound designed for exceptional all season driving performance, Cooper said.

The Zeon RS3-S, which replaces the current Cooper Zeon 2XS, offers a low profile, high performance rating that combines dry road traction, increased handling and exceptional cornering ability, the company said. A silica tread compound is designed to provide superior wet driving performance. Also with an Apr. 4 launch, the RS3-S will be available in 21 sizes.

The Discoverer A/T3, available April 4, is a direct replacement for the Discoverer ATR. The A/T3’s silica tread compound increases treadwear, improves wet traction and helps resist cutting and chipping, according to Cooper. The tread design improves off-road traction without sacrificing highway performance. The A/T3 will be available in 30 SUV sizes and 32 light truck sizes ranging from 15- to 20-inch wheel diameters.

The Discoverer S/TMaxx, which will replace the Discoverer S/T-C and select sizes of the Discoverer S/T, features Cooper’s three-ply "Armor-Tek3" carcass construction, a cut- and chip-resistant tread compound and a progressive tread design, the tiremaker said. The S/TMaxx is currently available in eight sizes ranging from 16- to 18-inch wheel diameters.

Ascot Supply Corporation, based in Newnan, Georgia, has selected Mark Paquette for the newly created position of vice president. In this position, Ascot Supply said Paquette will oversee the growth of the company's products, corporate profitability, manage marketing and advertising and assume many other responsibilities.

He will work under the direction of current President David Kessler and officially begin his new role on June 3. Paquette joined the tire and automotive industry in the early 1980s at his father's tire shop, and his contributions to Mohawk Rubber Sales were instrumental in the company's growth and eventual sale to Myers Tire Supply in 2021, according to Ascot Supply. Paquette eventually was given a promotion to the role of director of operations at Myers Tire Supply.