Imported tyre sales at record levels
Sales of non-ETRMA member produced tyres are now at record levels. That’s what the latest data published by the ETRMA in its 2012 Statistic Booklet clear shows, based on full year 2011 figures.
Now one of the largest tyre-producing countries in the world, China has an indisputable influence on the direction of global tyre trade. The home of both fast-growing up-and-coming brands as well as a burgeoning domestic market, this tag chronicles China’s involvement with the tyre business.
Tag Archive for: China
Grouptyre incorporates Landsail, Rapid into brand strategy
News, UK NewsSince the dissolution of its exclusive distribution agreement with the Maxxis brand, Grouptyre has continued to evolve, both in terms of the service offered by members and its brand strategy. While the wholesaler’s managing director, Karl Naylor said that it was “no longer in our customers’ interests for us to be over-dependent on one primary push brand”, the company has been particularly active in relation to its Evergreen brand, extending the Evergreen Performance Centre programme to retailers. In addition, the company has introduced the brands Landsail and Rapid, both of which are focussed on the end of the market particularly sensitive to economic pressure. As it has built the profile and image of Evergreen, manufactured by Jinyu Tire, these brands – also made in China respectively by the Sentaida and Shengtai Groups – have allowed Grouptyre members access to newer, less established margin brands simultaneously.
‘No comment’ replies drive further Cooper acquisition speculation
NewsIt’s now more than a day since reports of a potential Apollo Tyres acquisition of Cooper Tire & Rubber hit the headlines, and Tire Review observes there has been far more speculation than denial since then – which it says brings into question just what is happening. And while silence may be golden, the lack of comment – or even flat denial – from either party has led to all manner of speculation.
Belshina upgrading giant tyre factory
NewsAccording to BelTA, the Belarusian Telegraph Agency, local tyre maker OAO Belshina intends increase capacity at its giant tyre facility and add 57 and 63-inch radials to its production portfolio. Company representatives told BelTA that the project will increase the product range and output of low soil compaction wide-section radials for powerful, self-propelled agricultural machinery. The expansion will reportedly increase agricultural tyre output by 84,000 units per annum while increasing productivity.
Italian President honours Pirelli in anniversary year
NewsYesterday, Pirelli chairman and CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera and the firm’s top management were received by the President of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, to mark the 140th anniversary of the company’s foundation in 1872.
India introduces duty for Chinese, Thai cross-ply tyres
NewsIndia’s Ministry of Finace has implemented anti-dumping duties on cross-ply tyres imported from China and Thailand. The duty will be in place for five years; tyres imported from Thailand will attract duties of $0.86/kg, while most cross-ply tyres from China will be liable to duties of $1.31/kg. Tyres produced in China by Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co Ltd will have a lower $1.12/kg duty.
Fullrun shows latest products
NewsQingdao Fullrun Tyre Corp. claims to be China’s largest tyre exporter, and has set itself the goal ten million tyres per annum by 2015. Last year the company’s turnover increased almost 43 per cent to US$400 million. Its main brands are Fullrun, AnTyre, Fullway, AutoGrip, AderenZa and TurnPike, and these are sold in more than 100 countries.
Sailun investing for further growth
NewsTen years is a long time in the tyre industry. A decade ago, virtually nobody knew the name Sailun; hardly surprising, as the Chinese firm had yet to produce its first tyre. The company was established in November 2002 and the first Sailun truck tyre – a S816 pattern tyre in size 10.00R20 – was manufactured in 2003. In the following years Sailun has undergone phenomenal growth, and the firm’s original truck tyre factory has been joined by passenger car radial, OTR tyre and retreading plants. A further major stride in the company’s history took place last year when Sailun embarked on an initial public offering, which is said to have raised around RMB 1 billion (£100 million) – funds the company is drawing on for new capital expenditure projects. In September, just two months’ shy of Sailun’s tenth anniversary, Tyres & Accessories was given the opportunity to visit the tyre maker’s facility and new headquarters in Qingdao and talk about Sailun’s significant current and planned developments.
How direct TPMS manufacturers are preparing for the mass market
International News, News, Product NewsEveryone’s talking about the introduction of tyre labelling in November. But we should also be aware that at the same time that the so-called fridge labels are being mandatorily applied to tyres, another rule stipulating that all new cars must fit TPMS is being implemented. The law stipulates that all models homologated since July 2012 have to be manufactured with an appropriate Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). From 2014 it will be broadened to include all cars being sold into the market in order to cover any cars not yet mandated. What both dates mean is that there are going to be lots of TPMS equipped cars on the road very soon and tyre retailers need to be ready to service them professionally and take advantage of this business opportunities this provides. It also means that direct TPMS manufacturers are ramping up production in order to meet increased demand from both the OE and replacement markets.
GT Radial introduces first bead-to-bead hot cure retread in Europe
RetreadingThe flagship European brand of GiTi Tire, GT Radial may have been selling truck tyres into European markets for less than half a decade, but it has come a very long way in a short space of time. In one of its major markets, the UK, the company believes it now holds third place in terms of market share, saying that it now outstrips big players Hankook and Continental with upwards of 13 per cent of the country’s one million truck tyre unit sales. It believes it holds the global number four spot in the TBR segment. The latest step forwards – unveiled first at the CV Show in Birmingham and then to a wider European audience at Reifen 2012 in Essen, Germany – has been the introduction of the company’s REE Tread development, a hot cure retreading programme, with the GTR990 regional trailer pattern in size 385/65R22.5 representing GT Radial’s first commercial vehicle retread tyre. Significantly, the tyre uses the Chinese brand’s own made-in-China casings and is manufactured by “a renowned retreader located in the south-west of England”, in the company’s words.
Nankang shows new ECO 2 at CITExpo
NewsWhen Tyres & Accessories visited Nankang’s stand at CITExpo, Caysha Mai from the company’s export department was able to report that Nankang’s changeover to a new corporate identity, which began in 2010, is almost complete. “The new identity includes a modified logo and a new slogan – free your way,” she shared. “This means have a smooth ride.”
Addo India preparing for European label
NewsEastman Industries Limited was present at CITExpo with its ‘Addo India’ tyre and battery brand. The company, which is headquartered in Ludhiana, in India’s Punjab state, produces and supplies a wide range of passenger car, truck, industrial OTR and agricultural tyres.
National distributors sought for Membat brand
NewsMembat describes itself as a young brand, but behind this newcomer to the tyre world stands Spanish fast fitting chain Auto Equip. “We’ve been in the tyre business for 25 years and now we’re taking advantage of the industry knowledge we’ve gained and produced the Membat private brand,” shares Natan Banyeres, international trade manager at Membat. Banyeres told Tyres & Accessories that the Auto Equip network consists of 21 outlets, and the company also distributes tyres. “We are proud of our Spanish heritage but now want to export this and develop a global vision,” he adds.
Austyre – engineered in Australia
NewsVisitors to September’s CITExpo show in Shanghai were able to spot Austyre Australia’s stand from afar, as a larger-than-life inflatable kangaroo greeted anyone who stopped by. But Austyre Australia had more on offer than just air-filled macropods – the Dandenong-based company is the firm behind the Austyre brand of passenger car, light truck, UHP, SUV and truck tyres.
CH-Noble, Joyroad set for European sales
NewsAlthough Dongying Zhongyi Rubber Co. Ltd has been around since 2004, the Shandong Province, China-based company is a relative newcomer to the tyre business. It wasn’t until 2010 that the first tyre was produced at Dongying Zhongyi’s plant near Qingdao, but since then annual output of the company’s two brands – CH-Noble and Joyroad – has reached 3.5 million units a year.
