Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. acquired Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. about a year ago. One of the main concerns was whether the company would continue producing the two truck and five consumer tire brands Cooper Tire sells in America.
In a recent development, it is now confirmed that the company will no longer sell Dick Cepek tires. The brand was quietly eliminated at the beginning of this year. The Dick Cepek website now points consumers to Mickey Thompson tires.
Goodyear hasn’t said anything yet about the brand’s elimination. Dick Cepek was focused on light truck tires and was a favorite among off-road enthusiasts. The brand’s founder, Dick Cepek, was considered a pioneer in the off-roading sport and industry.
He wanted wider tires for his own adventures and initially had Armstrong Rubber make a set of tires for him. His friends saw what he got and demanded the same tires. This was the beginning of an expansive off-road business for the founder who went on to open three warehouses and 15 stores. He died in 1983.
The remaining Dick Cepek assets were acquired by Max-Trac Tire Co. Inc. dba Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels after the former’s bankruptcy. Cooper acquired both of these brands in 2003.