Freightliner to make Continental tire standard on M2 Business Class

FORT MILL, S.C. — Continental Tire has been selected as the standard rubber on Freightliner Business Class M2 medium-duty trucks.

The tire maker also announced Continental tires will be an option on other Daimler-owned vehicles, including Western Star trucks, Thomas Built buses and various other Freightliner vehicles.

“Continental’s heavy steer tires complement our proven engineering for the Business Class M2 trucks,” said Melissa Clausen, director of product marketing for Freightliner. “With long original mileage and capabilities for on- or off-road applications, Continental tires will be able to handle the demands of our M2 customers for a reliable tire that can stand up to their toughest driving conditions.”

Continental Tire says it will soon be launching a redesigned regional steer tire, the HSR2, to replace its best-selling HSR. The new version will feature an updated tread compound which the company says will improve mileage by 15% while also improving chip and cut resistance.

Also new to Continental is a HSU2 (Heavy Steer Urban) tire which replaces the company’s previous HSU model. The new tire features an 8% deeper rib design.

“Continental is pleased to have been chosen as the strategic supplier partner to Freightliner Trucks and the brands of DTNA (Daimler Trucks North America), especially at a time when we can offer them our newest heavy steer tires,” said Tom Fanning, Continental’s director of original equipment sales. “The long mileage and fuel efficiency of our truck tires, paired with our innovative technologies in alignment tracking, stone ejection and chip-resistant treads will help keep drivers of DTNA trucks on the road longer.”