Press Release
General Tire – the Specialist in 4x4 Tires
- General Tire is known as the tire brand for SUVs and off-roaders
- With the Grabber products GT, AT, and MT, the brand meets very different demands to a high level
Hanover, March 18, 2015. Tires for SUVs and off-road usage are traditionally one of the focal points of the American tire brand General Tire. In recent years, the Americans have over-hauled their products, and adapted them to meet the needs of car drivers in Europe. This resulted in three product lines. They share the product name "Grabber," indicating their 4x4 link. The correct tires for road use is designated by "GT"; "AT" indicates tires for use on rough terrain and roads, while "MT" is the best choice for use on difficult off-road terrain. What they all have in common is robustness and grip.
The Grabber GT
With the Grabber GT, the all-wheel tire specialist General Tire offers a road tire especially for the high demands placed on SUVs and AWD-powered cars. Its particular advantages include a high safety factor on braking on wet and dry roads alike, precise handling, and safe aqua-planing characteristics. To lower the fuel consumption of SUVs, the developers reduced the rolling resistance by 7% while also raising the mileage performance by 3% and increasing the ride comfort by 8% – compared to the successful predecessor model in each case. The tire is produced in 50 sizes, with approvals between 190 and 300 km/h. The tire sizes are suitable for different SUVs in road use such as the Audi Q3, Honda CR-V, Range Rover Evoque, and Porsche Cayenne.
The Grabber AT
The tread pattern of the Grabber AT has been designed in such a way that it is suitable both for use on rough terrain as well as on road use. In addition, the all-terrain expert features a large number of robust blocks that interlock with the ground, and allow the vehicle to move forward, steer precisely, and ensure short braking distances on rough terrain. The deep tread grooves provide additional grip when the vehicle is traveling over muddy roads or slippery grassland. Aggressive shoulder blocks that reach into the side wall of the tire prevent the side wall from being damaged. The Grabber AT has also been designed in such a way that it offers high tread strength for driving on the road, and thus carries out the steering and brake commands precisely. General Tire manufactures the model in a wide product range for rims between 15 and 20 inches in diameter; the tire has been approved up to 210 km/h.
The Grabber MT
As a thoroughbred specialist in hard off-road use, the Grabber MT features an open, self-cleaning tread with solid blocks. These interlock with rubble, stony ground, sand, and sludge to ensure ultra-high traction, even on the most difficult passages. To protect the tire from impact breaks and damage, its three-layer carcass was designed to be particularly robust (and hence long-lasting), even in off-road use. With these details, the off-road tire makes for a safe and highly resilient companion on rough terrain. General Tire manufactures the tire for 15 and
16inch rim diameters with metric and US sizes; as an off-road specialist, it is approved up to 160 km/h.
General Tire
Based in Fort Mill, South Carolina, General Tire got started in 1915, and can now look back on a 100-year company history. From early on, the company has produced tires for all types of motor vehicles. Continental acquired the company in 1987. Today, General Tire delivers car, truck, and industrial tires to customers all around the world. It also equips 4x4 vehicles with special tires.
Continental AG
Continental develops intelligent technologies for transporting people and their goods. As a reliable partner, the international tire manufacturer, automotive supplier, and industrial partner provides sustainable, safe, comfortable, individual, and affordable solutions. In 2014, the corporation generated preliminary sales of approximately €34.5 billion with its five divisions, Chassis & Safety, Interior, Powertrain, Tires, and ContiTech. Continental currently employs approximately 200,000 people in 53 countries.
Tire division
The Tire division currently has 24 production and development locations worldwide. The broad product range and continuous investments in R&D make a major contribution to cost-effective and ecologically efficient mobility. As one of the world's leading tire manufacturers, with more than 47,000 employees, the Tire division achieved sales of €9.8 billion in 2014.
Passenger Car and Light Truck Tires
Continental is one of Europe's leading passenger car and light truck tire manufacturers and is the world's fourth-largest passenger car and light truck tire manufacturer in the original equipment and replacement business sectors. The product development focus of the Continental premium brand is to optimize all safety-relevant characteristics, while simultaneously minimizing rolling resistance.
Media database
Alexander Bahlmann
Head of PR, Passenger/Light Truck Tires
Continental AG
Tire Division
Büttnerstraße 25, 30165 Hanover, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 511 938 2615
Fax: +49 (0) 511 938 2455
/ Klaus Engelhart
Press Spokesman
Passenger Car and Light Truck/Two-Wheel Tires
Germany/Austria/Switzerland
Continental AG
Tire Division
Büttnerstraße 25, 30165 Hanover, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 511 938 2285
Fax: +49 (0) 511 938 2455