FINDLAY, Ohio — Cooper Tire & Rubber has reportedly ceased production of its Starfire associate tire range in North America, and the company may further reduce the number of brands it sells.
Manufacture of Starfire tires ended last year and, as inventories are now mostly depleted, Cooper has begun recommending ‘suitable alternatives’ for dealers that formerly sold the brand.
Cooper launched the Starfire brand in 1994 to fit between the Cooper and Mastercraft brands, and the range was produced in sizes for passenger cars, SUVs and light trucks. The range continues to be sold in Asia.
The other, less profitable, tire lines Cooper may also drop have not been named, but in addition to the flagship Cooper brand the company sells five associate brands – Mastercraft, Dean, Lexington, Mickey Thompson and Dick Cepek – and two associated import brands, Avon and Kenda. (Courtesy of Tire Review/ Tyres & Accessories/Staffordshire)
