The Italian tiremaker is reintroducing the Cinturato, its flagship line from 1950 to 1980, with sizes focused on the growing compact and mid-size vehicle market. Pirelli said the new Cinturato will feature new compounds that will cut fuel use by 3%-4% and reduce treadwear by 30%.
Francesco Gori, CEO of Pirelli Tyre, said the company is placing heavy emphasis on the new line, and expects it to deliver 10% of the company’s replacement sales in 2008 and 20% within a few years.
Gori said that Pirelli is investing 100 million euros in the product line, and it will initially be sold in Europe before hitting the Latin American market. There was no word if or when the Cinturato would be available in North America. (Tire Review/Akron)