The Sumitomo Group traces their origins to 1909, when they made an initial investment in Dunlop Japan, a newly formed Japanese subsidiary of the British company Dunlop Rubber. Developing a close business relationship throughout the years, Sumitomo acquired Dunlop Japan in 1963, and renamed it Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. Sumitomo Tire Manufacturer is still owned by Sumitomo Rubber Industry. Sumitomo Tire Manufacturer develops a wide range of tires for performance, light truck, and medium truck vehicles. The HTR Z III has just been introduced to the world. The HTR Z III offers Sumitomo’s signature engineering and vanguard technology. The design of the Z III combines euro performance with street tuner appeal, resulting in a tire with sterling traction, exquisite handling and a new level of ultimate performance tire. Key attributes to this tire are: four straight, wide grooves that heighten drainage for top-notch wet performance, and siped tie-bars, which reinforce block rigidity for enhanced traction. A reinforced construction gives the HTR Z III additional toughness, ensuring real world durability and a Y-speed rating for capabilities on any high performance vehicle. Another Performance Series tire from Sumitomo is the HTR Z II. This tire is the ultimate for gripping wet surfaces giving this tire amazing handling on wet and dry roads. Compounds composed of Ultra Micro Carbon Technology and Silica Based Rubber Engineering are added to increase wet and dry traction. A revolutionary tread pattern that has an aggressive directional tread pattern is combine with a bold, wide tread-aggressive appearance gives the tire outstanding grip. A key advantage of this tire is the deep circumferential center rain grooves, which give the tire phenomenal hydroplaning resistance. Multi-directional water channels improve wet traction, while increasing handling grip, performance, and steering response while traveling in wet conditions. The HTR Z II is an extremely long lasting tire that includes PSP technology, which improves durability throughout the life of the tire. In addition to the features that protect the tire, a wheel flange guard that protects the wheel rim from damage from potholes and curbs. Sumitomo’s most popular light truck tire is the HTR Sport H/P. A non-directional all season tread in incorporated with a center rib for straight-line stability. Added to the design for maximum grip and long lasting tread wear, was the shoulder block. Four wide deep circumferential grooves were contributed to the design to give the tire champion anti-hydroplaning capabilities and a segmented mold for quality uniformity for a smooth ride on even the worst surfaces. Back to Tire Brands | Shop For Tires