Despite tough external conditions Cooper Chengshan’s top line growth is said to be “progressing well” in 2010 and the firm’s “amazingly strong” domestic truck and bus tyre market growth in the first quarter of this year is a key highlight of this performance. Meanwhile the company’s passenger car tyres sales have reportedly continued on their “relatively consistent” recent trajectory. Looking forward, Cooper Asia general manager and Cooper Chengshan boss Allen Tsaur reports that the company is well prepared for the forthcoming 2012 tyre labelling legislation across all its brands.

From Cooper Chengshan’s perspective the new laws are a good thing that “drives us forward.” However, this is clearly not the case across the board in China, with Tsaur reporting that an estimated 80 per cent of tyre suppliers are not up to scratch when it comes to labelling legisaltion preparedness. Out of roughly 300 tyre manufacturers currently operating in China, only the top 30 are said to be of a “good quality” that is compatible with exports into the mature markets. Of these, only the top 10 (including Cooper Chengshan) are already set for the 2012 rules.