Goodyear Confirms Avon Chrome Tire to Remain in Production
According to a news release finally issued by new parent company Goodyear, Avon Tyres, "one of the motorcycle industry's longest-established tire brands", will receive a "fresh focus as part of the wider Goodyear group of brands".
Goodyear acquired the prior Avon parent company Cooper Tire last year. Until recently, the only news to have been released was simply that the workforce at the historic Melksham, Wiltshire, England factory was largely being "let go" and that manufacturing at what was one of the world's oldest tire factories would finally be brought to an end after more than 100 years - certainly in motorcycle tire manufacturing terms.
However, there had been no indication if the brand would continue to exist, or if so, where Avon motorcycle tires would be made in the future, and for which market sectors.
Having incorporated Avon "into its family" in 2022, Goodyear says it is "looking ahead to the future with a reinvigorated approach to the Avon brand.
"Now sitting alongside the Dunlop brand in Europe, the incorporation of Avon into Goodyear's portfolio gives European bikers an even more comprehensive offering than before, with industry-leading products across all sectors of the motorcycle market.
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| Goodyear says that the Avon Chrome custom motorcycle tire will remain in production (somewhere!). |
"The new, more focused, Avon range includes the Cobra Chrome tire for cruiser and custom bikes, as well as the popular Roadrider MKII which sits as a complementary offering alongside Dunlop's strong sports touring range.
"Furthermore, Avon will continue to produce the 3D SUPERSPORT hypersport tire, Spirit ST and Streetrunner sport touring products, Trailrider and Trekrider for adventure use, Safety Mileage MKII and Speedmaster MKII classic designs, and the Viper Stryke for scooters.
"This focus on key designs ensures the Avon brand still offers riders its most popular products, sitting as a strong partner offering alongside the Dunlop range, which covers everything from off-road to hypersport tires and everything in between."
Goodyear's long-term strategy for its two famous motorcycle tire brands focuses on further developing its motorcycle centre of excellence in Montlucon, France, "where many of the premium products in the Dunlop range are currently developed alongside World Championship level racing tires for Moto2 and the FIM Endurance World Championship."
Ben Hoge, General Manager, Motorcycle Europe, Goodyear, stated: "Dunlop and Avon have proud histories and exciting futures. The ranges are highly complementary and meaningfully differentiated, so this gives us the opportunity to offer a wider selection of tires, with one of the youngest product portfolios in the industry, to the trade and riders alike.
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| Tire production has ended at Avon's historic Melksham, Wiltshire, England factory after some 120 years. |
"As we plan for 2024 and beyond, we will reveal new product lines, technology upgrades and clear market positioning for both brands."
In addition to this continued commitment to motorcycle tires, Goodyear states that the Avon brand "will remain a key part of Goodyear's portfolio in the passenger vehicle segment."
For the record - Goodyear says it is "one of the world's largest tire companies, employing about 74,000 people and manufacturing its products in 57 facilities in 23 countries around the world, with 'Innovation Centers' in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg."
