Deldo – the Winter Tyre ‘Specialist’

Deldo Autobanden markets itself as the European specialist for winter tyres, a claim based on the many years the company has participated in this seasonal market. Today in its Antwerp warehouse Deldo stocks more than 25 brands of cold weather tyres, including its exclusive Wanli and Sunny brands.

The two exclusive brands are manufactured in South China Tire & Rubber’s year old factory in China’s Guangzhou Province, and Wanli and Sunny offer an extensive range of tyres for passenger and commercial vehicles, with more than 80 studdable and non-studdable sizes available for the winter tyre segment alone. In mid July Deldo commented that it was “happy” with the level of pre sales for winter tyres ahead of the upcoming cold season, stating they had already reached a respectable 65 per cent.

New for winter 2007/08 is the Wanli “Snowgrip” range, non-studdable H, T and V speed rated passenger car tyres available in eight sizes for rims between 15 and 17-inches in diameter. The Snowgrip has a directional tread and features wide circumferntial grooves to aid the dissipation of water and snow. This new range joins Wanli’s “Winter Challenger” range for passenger cars and light trucks. Six new passenger car sizes pad out the Winter Challenger range nicely.

Sunny’s new winter line for 2007/08 is the Snowmaster, a non-studdable tyre suitable for a wide selection of passenger vehicles. The Snowmaster is available in the following sizes:

195/65 R 15 91T
215/65 R 15 96H
215/65 R 16 98H
205/60 R 16 XL 96H
215/60 R 16 XL 99H
205/55 R 16 91H
225/55 R 16 XL 99H
205/40 R 17 XL 84V

The Sunny “Winter Grip” range has also been increased, with six new passenger car sizes and two light truck sizes added to the line-up. The Winter Grip is now available in a total of 35 sizes.

Deldo reports it has found great opportunities for both budget and branded winter tyres in Eastern Europe and the Russian republics, market penetration that comes on top of significant growth in the Benelux, France and Italy.