Cooper Tire Officially Rolls Out Greater Fuel Efficiency Tire

* Reuters is not responsible for the content in this press release.

Tue Jul 7, 2009 2:33pm EDT

Tire Fitments Cover a Variety of Hybrid Vehicle Makes to Meet Consumer Demand

 

FINDLAY, Ohio, July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY (NYSE: CTB)
announced today that to meet consumer demand for greater vehicle fuel
efficiency, it has added its first low-rolling resistance tire line - the
Cooper GFE (Greater Fuel Efficiency) - to its product portfolio. The Cooper
GFE is now available at dealers nationwide. 

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010404/COOPERLOGO )

"With the recent volatility in gasoline prices, customers are looking for ways
to improve their vehicle fuel economy," said Chuck Yurkovich, Vice President
of Global Technology. "Tire rolling resistance has a significant impact on
vehicle fuel economy, so Cooper responded with a new tire specifically
designed for fuel-efficient vehicles."

The GFE, Cooper's first tire to focus on lower rolling resistance, utilizes
advanced design and materials technology to maximize fuel economy, saving
money at the pump while providing excellent traction and treadwear. The GFE is
a touring tire offered in eight sizes targeted for fuel-efficient vehicles,
but also includes popular broadline sizes. Key Toyota fitments include the
Hybrid Prius, Corolla, Yaris and Echo.  Key Honda fitments include the Hybrid
Civic and Fit. The size offering also covers several vehicles from Ford, GM,
Chrysler and Nissan, as well as many others. 

The GFE showcases Cooper Energy Return Technology (CERT), a new innovative
tread stock that features a unique silica technology married with a
specialized polymer to provide very low-rolling resistance, while maintaining
outstanding wet grip and long tread life.
 
The GFE also employs unique mold technology using traction compensating sipes.
These innovative sipes increase in length as the tire wears. The interlocking
action of the sipes helps provide more stable handling when the tire is new,
then adds length to the biting edges throughout the life of the tire. This
technology helps maintain wet and winter traction as the tread wears. 

In addition, the GFE has a T speed rating, which meets or exceeds the original
equipment requirements of many automobiles, minivans and crossovers. The
all-season design also employs a computer-enhanced, sound-quality system that
optimizes the tread pattern to produce a quiet ride. The appearance of the GFE
is enhanced by the use of engraved segmented molds. The molds use Cooper's
ventless technology, which provides a clean, crisp, premium appearance. 

The new GFE features a 60,000-mile treadwear protection warranty, is covered
under Cooper's standard warranty and carries a free 45-day road test.  

About Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is a global company that specializes in the
design, manufacture, marketing and sales of passenger car and light truck
tires and subsidiaries that specialize in medium truck, motorcycle and racing
tires. With headquarters in Findlay, Ohio, Cooper Tire has manufacturing,
sales, distribution, technical and design facilities within its family of
companies located in 10 countries around the world.  For more information,
visit Cooper Tire's web site at: www.coopertire.com.

SOURCE  Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

Michelle Zeisloft, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, +1-419-423-1321,
mrzeisloft@coopertire.com
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