Nokian Tyres plc

You know, the stud technology, I think, has been around for a long time.

When you look at the new technology in the Nokian Haka Polita 01 studded tire, the difference for that tire is underneath that stud, there's an adaptive cushion compound that's designed to change with the weather.

So as the weather gets colder, that compound gets harder, which holds that stud in place and firm to the ground.

The benefit to that compound is as the weather is warmer, the compound does soften.

You know, will it not wear? Perhaps, you know, there's always that chance for sure.

But this technology will be far better than what the normal technology would be for a stud.

And so these are these Nokian tires with retractable studs.

And that was Matt Plant with Caltire.

Yes.

Put some good Nokian all-weather tires on it and be prepared for anything.

So again, this is the kind of temperament that we're dealing with here.

And this is what makes this fun is...

So, um, you know, the stud technology, I think, has been around for a long time.

Uh, when you look at the, the new technology in the Nokian Hakka Pilota 01 studded tire, the, the difference for that tire is underneath that stud there's an adaptive cushion compound that's designed to change with the weather.

So as the weather gets colder, that compound gets harder, which holds that stud in place and firm to the ground.

The benefit to that compound is as the weather is warmer, the compound does soften.

But this, this technology will be far better than what the normal technology would be for a stud.

And, and they'll wa- they'll, y- you'll have them longer, too, right?

Yeah, the, you know, the, the Nokian studded tire, it's studded directly out of the factory, so it's a lot better technology.

And that stud will wear throughout the life of the tire.

In the winter, you should be driving slower.

The temperatures are cooler, but, you know, you don't want to overwhelm these tires because they will, and that's why you take them off in the spring, because in the summer, they'll become like, you know, rubber, soft, soft rubber, and they're potentially dangerous in a way, right? So they, you know, Nokian, they've pushed the envelope.

They actually do decently well in our dry wet braking, but also maintains stellar winter traction.

So, you know, and To be honest, I've talked to many people.

I said electric vehicle tires.

Are you testing those differently? You know, some vehicles, some manufacturers are using very specifically electric tires for electric vehicles.

I think Nokian, because you brought it up, I think Nokian rates all their tires for electric vehicles.

Are you seeing some differences in the types of tires, probably as it relates to almost low rolling resistance, kind of the California thing?

Yeah, yeah.

I mean, I think No- Nokian has a, te- technology where there's actually, like, an air pocket, and it, the stud kinda retracts a little bit-

Mm-hmm

... um, to make 'em less aggressive, if you will, but they still have the bite on the snow, on the ice.

We've tested the Michelin, the Conti and the Bridgestone are all in the comparison test that we just completed that you talked about that is that's going to be live very, very soon.

And the Nokian we have experience on, but it wasn't an official test.

So we're going to have to get that data to people a little bit later.

But the all of these new winter tires have made notable improvements in one or more areas.

no

the the the hakapalita name that is you know that these tires come from finland where they have the the white roads for six months out of the year whatever it is and they are just one of the biggest names in winter tire technology specifically And it has always been kind of a regional product.

Their distribution model with Nokian is they've got their dealers in this part of the country and they can't compete with other dealers.

So then in a different part of the country, they've got a dealer group.

'Cause we have custom set wheels for all of these different, like, we have two different styles that we'll do.

Um, you have your Arctic Truck wheels, the 17-inch ones with the big fat, um, Nokian wheels or, uh-

Mm-hmm

... tires.

I think Vols roll.

If the Vols roll, that will be very exciting to a lot of people in and around Dayton, Tennessee, home of the Nokian Tires North American factory.

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