Ultra-high performance (UHP) tires aren’t just for weekend racers anymore. In this episode of Selling the Segment, Nate Dodds, Product Manager for Performance Tires at General Tire, explains essential UHP tire sales tips to help dealers close more performance-driven customers, whether they drive a Mustang or a Model 3.
From sports cars and performance SUVs to even some unsuspecting EVs, more vehicles are rolling into shops equipped with UHP tires. But, not all customers realize what they’re driving on, or whether they should replace them with something else entirely.
“You’re going to get that unassuming UHP tire buyer,” Nate says. “Their car came with a W- or Y-rated tire, and they don’t even know it. That’s where the dealer plays a crucial role in educating the customer.”
Nate explains how the segment has evolved, why styling is just as important as grip for some buyers, and what distinguishes UHP summer tires from UHP all-seasons when it comes to tread depth, sidewall stiffness, and ultimate performance trade-offs.
We also dive into the two biggest misconceptions about UHP tires: who they’re for and how they fit into the EV market. Nate offers must-know tips for tire storage, alignment, and pressure that can help ensure long-term customer satisfaction (and repeat business).
If you’ve ever struggled to explain the difference between a G-MAX RS and a G-MAX AS07, or if you have customers who love performance but live in light-snow regions, this conversation is packed with the real-world UHP tire sales tips you need to close the deal.
