Pirelli announced at the Mid-America Trucking Show on Thursday its plan to enter the commercial truck tire market in the U.S. and Canada.
Pirelli says its pilot phase, which is currently underway, aims at establishing a strategy for local product development, distribution and sales. More than 40 fleets are participating in the testing and development of Pirelli commercial truck tires for several North American applications.
“Pirelli’s strategy for car and light truck products in North America is focused on premium products customized for the particular needs of the market,” says Clif Armstrong, who will manage the project as president of TP Commercial Solutions LLC. “With the launch of the commercial truck business, we plan to do the same thing – adapt the excellent technology and leadership of the Pirelli industrial product line to the specifications and demanding requirements of these markets.”
Armstrong notes the company’s charge into North American would be “no easy task,” but said he expects the company will bring to market “best in class cost performance and services.”
The move into North America is an expansion Pirelli’s industrial business unit, which already supplies commercial truck tires and fleet solutions to the globally, the company says.
