'STAINLESS STEEL IS A BRILLIANT IDEA': NOKIAN'S LATEST LT WINTER TIRE FEATURES NEW STUD TECHNOLOGY

摘要

Stainless steel studs,denser siping and winter grip impressed tire dealers who tested the new Hak-kapeliitta LT3 from Nokian Tyres pic at the Copper Mountain ski resort in Colorado.“Stainless steel is a brilliant idea,” said Tom Richey,owner of Laurel Gardens Tire Service Inc.in Pittsburgh,Pa.“Unlike the studs that are a round surface,this stud has a three-pronged pin that sticks out and as it wears it does not rust.” Nokian set up driving courses to give Richey and other tire dealers a chance to test the premium winter tire for light trucks.Richey said he liked the new style stud: “It is beefy and gives you more bite.” The new tire's siping also earned praise.“The monstrous amount of siping clears away water that's on ice and gives you more traction.The sipes zigzag nice and pretty.You want grooves and channels fighting for you when you are on ice,” said Richey.Richey has been in the tire business for more than 40 years.His family has owned Laurel Gardens Tire Service since 1991.His wife,Cindy,is chief financial officer and fheir children,Tony and Tina,are managers.Laurel Gardens Tire Service generates $3.5 million in tire sales a year.The store offers retail and commercial tire sales and service as well as wholesale.