Dunlop launches new people carrier tyre

Dunlop has launched the SP VAN01, a durable and fuel-efficient tyre for drivers and owners of minibus taxis, privately owned people carriers, vans and light trucks.

With limited access to a formal public transport service, the taxi industry has become the driving force getting the workforce to city centres or industrial hubs on time.

This sector, along with light delivery truck and van (LDV) drivers from the various trades such as construction, electrical and delivery, which plays a key role in keeping the economy moving, needs safe and reliable transport solutions and cannot afford downtime or delays. 

Moreover, with the average South African family consisting of 3.2 children and using learner transporters, you have many multipurpose, people- and small cargo carrying vehicles taking to the roads daily in the South Africa.

“Drivers of private or public transport vehicles need to consider many factors when selecting the right tyre for their people carrier, light truck or van,” says leading tyre manufacturer Sumitomo Rubber South Africa CEO Lubin Ozoux.

“The Dunlop SP VAN01 makes this choice that much easier. It is a reliable tyre brand that has been around for over 130 years, has a reputation for delivering new and enhanced technology to the market and always puts safety first, making it the obvious choice,” he adds.

Dunlop SP VAN01, the company’s newest generation of tyres developed especially for vans, takes the challenging African road conditions into consideration, delivering a safe, reliable, durable and comfortable ride.

The tyre keeps vehicles on the road with excellent mileage, in all applications, offering excellent wear resistance and safety performance, maximising time on the road, and enhancing fuel efficiency.

Designed to deliver on wear performance, durability and fuel saving, the Dunlop SP VAN01 exhibits enhanced wear life, handling stability and wet grip performance.

The product features include a high rigidity steel wire layer structure, which is strengthened to improve the rigidity of the tyre, improving the tyre load bearing performance to meet commercial needs while ensuring safe driving.

It also incorporates a wide flat tread surface design which provides maximum road contact and traction in all conditions, improving safety and resulting in even tyre wear.

These features also comprise of a strip pattern design for tyre wall protection, which with the reinforced sidewall stiffness, provides additional kerb damage protection, enhancing durability and driving on rough roads and protecting against damage due to kerb scraping.

A best pattern arrangement design is another product feature, and optimised rib distribution maintains consistent contact and directional stability and reduces braking distance, while maximised grip and wear is another feature.

The final product feature is a new structure carbon black formula which  enhances wear life, handling stability and wet grip.

“Our in-field testing on three local South African routes showed excellent performance by the Dunlop SP VAN01, no signs of cut or chipping damage and no irregular wear patterns despite rough road conditions, making this tyre the ideal choice for drivers of minibus vans, light trucks and people carriers,” concludes Ozoux.