Contact: Athene Karis 330 699-1777
email: akaris@compuserve.com

For Immediate Release

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Go-anywhere performance has just gotten better. The BFGoodrich^® brand’s new Mud-Terrain T/A^{® KM}, successor to the tire that earned a place in history as the world’s first radial mud-terrain performance tire, is giving new meaning to rugged, tough and durable. And, its off-road prowess is matched by its aggressive good looks. ("KM" stands for Key feature Mud.)

"When we set out to improve a tire that was considered the industry benchmark, we knew it wouldn’t be easy," said Scott Dishman, a marketing manager for BFGoodrich^® Tires. "Our approach was the same as the one we used to develop the All-Terrain T/A^KO, which we introduced in 1999, and that tire has been wildly successful."

According to Dishman, improvements in the performance of the Mud-Terrain T/A^KM were achieved by fine tuning the current tire and making small adjustments that produced big gains in performance.

"Our goal was to develop a tire with superb off-road traction for all conditions – mud, rocks, dirt and sand, balanced by good manners on the pavement," Dishman said. "We’ve done that."

Based on the results of tests pitting the new tire against its predecessor, it’s evident that the BFGoodrich^® brand’s engineers have turned out another winner. The new tire is clearly superior in mud traction and slick rock performance, making the Mud-Terrain T/A^KM an excellent choice for rock crawling enthusiasts. It also provides improved off-road durability, more even wear and a quieter, more comfortable ride when compared with the Radial Mud-Terrain T/A.

Resistance to hydroplaning, and traction in dry and snow conditions are at the same high levels as those for the current tire.

Credit for many of the performance gains goes to the tire’s dual tread radius profile, which helps create a larger, rectangular-shaped footprint, thus putting more tread in contact with the road surface. The more robust footprint contributes to improved traction and performance in rock crawling.

The tread pattern of the Mud-Terrain T/A^KM features large, aggressive blocks in the shoulder area for exceptional power in digging through deep gumbo mud, dirt and sand. Appropriately called DiggerLugzÔ , these traction bars contribute significantly to the tire’s high-grip capabilities. Also located in the shoulder area are self-cleaning lugs, which allow the tire to maintain maximum traction.

While the high-void tread design closely resembles that of the Radial Mud-Terrain T/A, the orientation and sequencing of the interlocking elements have been changed to deliver superb performance in rock climbing. This feature also accounts for the tire’s quieter ride.

The Mud-Terrain T/A^KM sports a rim protector to guard against off-road hazards, particularly when air pressures are lowered for aggressive off-road conditions. BFGoodrich^® Tires’ TriGard^® construction featuring a three-ply polyester carcass provides excellent bruise resistance in the sidewall and under the tread. Single-strand beads contribute to a smooth ride and tire uniformity.

The Mud-Terrain T/A^KM is available in 25 sizes, seven more than the previous tire. The lineup includes popular 16-, 17- and 18-inch wheel sizes as well as a 37-inch overall diameter dimension. Clearly, the line is emphasizing larger sizes, which are desirable in rock crawling. According to Dishman, additional sizes that are even taller and wider are planned within the next year.

BFGoodrich tires are made for people looking to take control of the driving experience. They combine technological expertise with the experience gained on and off the racetrack to offer a traction advantage for every type of vehicle and driving preference

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