For the first time, Cooper Tire will be part of a new car’s original equipment.
The Findlay-based company announced Tuesday that it has been selected as the OE (original equipment) supplier to two Ford cars — the 2013 Focus SE and Titanium models.
In a prepared statement, Cooper Chairman, CEO and President Roy Armes said, “This new relationship with Ford marks our company’s entry into the U.S. passenger car OE tire market, a strategic decision aligned with our goal to drive profitable sales by diversifying product mix, expanding sales channels and leveraging technology.”
The tire is named Zeon RS3-A, part of what the company calls its ultra high performance all-season product.
Cooper has four factories in the U.S., including one in Findlay, two in Mississippi and one in Arkansas.
In January 2012, Cooper was estimated by the trade publication Modern Tire Dealer to hold 5 percent of the replacement market share in the U.S.
Cooper (NYSE ticker: CTB) is to announce fourth- quarter 2012 financial results before markets open Feb. 25. Management will discuss the financial results on a conference call beginning at 11 a.m. that day.