ZC Rubber marks 60 years, signs strategic cooperation
At the global partner conference held at its headquarters in Hangzhou, China on 17 July, ZC Rubber celebrated its 60th anniversary together with more than 1,000 partners from around the world.
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.
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EC decides against tyre anti-subsidy measures – for now
Recent published articles have led to uncertainty regarding duties upon new and retreaded bus and truck tyres originating in the People’s Republic of China. On 13 July, the European Commission announced its decision not to impose anti-subsidy measures during its ongoing investigation into these products. This decision reflects the Commission’s practice of not simultaneously imposing provisional anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures prior to reaching a final decision on the matter.
Linglong lays foundation stone for fourth Chinese tyre factory
Shandong Linglong Tire Co. Ltd. has laid the foundation stone for its fourth Chinese factory. The event, held 6 July ran in parallel with Linglong Tire’s “global partners” conference.
The new plant is in addition to Linglong’s existing Zhaoyuan, Dezhou and Liuzhou factories. Linglong is building the fourth plant at a 223-acre site in the city of Jingmen in Hubei province.
ZC Rubber celebrating 60th anniversary
Next Tuesday, Zhongce Rubber Group Co., Ltd. (ZC Rubber) will celebrate its 60th anniversary – and has invited more than 1,000 of its partners around the world to its home city of Hangzhou, China to join in the festivities.
Doublestar acquisition of Kumho Tire completed
A ceremony was held on 6 July to mark to completion of Doublestar Tire’s acquisition of a 45 per cent share in Kumho Tire. The event in Seoul was titled ‘Celebrating New Beginning’ and was attended by the Chinese and South Korean tyre makers’ management teams as well as representatives from Korea Development Bank, which together with other creditors still maintains a 23 per cent share in Kumho Tire.
Chinese tyre makers off-shoring in Southeast Asia
At the end of May, anti-Chinese truck tyre tariffs were implemented. They included nominal (as opposed to percentage) tariffs at levels that surprised many. As a result, supply shortages and challenges at distributors were predicted. Shuttering of some of the lowest cost Chinese tyremakers is also expected. However, speaking to affected firms during the recent Tire Cologne reveals that many are already prepared to source tyres elsewhere. Indeed, the largest manufacturers have been off-shoring for some time. As a result, virtually all the leading Chinese tyre manufacturers already have non-Chinese tyre production in place. Let’s take a look at who’s got what.
Wanli considering Europe for $1 billion tyre factory investment
Wanli-owner Guangzhou Vanlead Group Co. Ltd. has indefinitely postponed plans to invest US$1 billion in the construction of a tyre factory in South Carolina, USA. Now the company is said to be considering alternative locations including some in Europe
thyssenkrupp Steel Europe enters steel wheel JV with Chinese partners
Under a joint venture contract signed on 22 June, thyssenkrupp Steel Europe will partner with Chinese companies to produce steel wheels, including lightweight hot-formed models, for the local automotive industry. China’s leading steel wheel manufacturer, Jingu Wheel, will hold a 51 per cent share in the joint venture, thyssenkrupp Steel Europe 34 per cent and Ansteel Iron and Steel Group 15 per cent. China’s competition authorities are now examining the tie-up, and thyssenkrupp anticipates the deal’s finalisation within the next few months.
China: Prison sentence for distributor of fake Yokohama wheels
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has reported the “successful completion” of its latest effort to eliminate counterfeit versions of its aluminium wheels in China. The distributor of these fake products has been sentenced to prison and also fined.
Triangle mourns chairman Ding Yuhua
Ding Yuhua, Triangle Tyre’s chairman, died on 13 June 2018 at the age of 70. In addition to running the large Chinese tyre manufacturer, Ding Yuhua, was deputy to the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th Chinese National People’s Congress, deputy to the 8th and 9th Shandong Provincial People’s Congress, member of Weihai People’s Congress Standing Committee and senior vice president of China Rubber Industry Association (CRIA).
Trump puts 25% import tariff on Chinese aircraft tyres
US president Donald Trump has announced plans to impose 25 per cent tariffs on US$50 billion worth of Chinese goods, according to various leading news sources. The tariffs affecting over 800 products including aircraft tyres and are due to come into effect on 6 July. The White House said it would consult on tariffs on the other $16 billion of products with a view to applying these later.
Sainsbury’s, Asda and truck tyre tariffs
At the end of April the UK’s second largest supermarket Sainsbury’s announced that it is merging with the Walmart-owned Asda supermarket. The goal? To push first-placed Tesco off the top-spot and to give the newly combined chain better access to different geographic areas and consumers. Strange as it may seem at first glance, this story can be read across to the tyre market in general and the truck tyre segment in particular (click here for complete coverage on developments associated with the recently initiated European anti-Chinese truck tyre import tariffs).
Linglong to become first Chinese global Top 10 car tyre manufacturer by 2019 – analyst
New research by London based independent research company Astutus Research suggests that a domestic Chinese company could be about to join the top 10 global manufacturers of passenger car and light truck (PCLT) tyres. Linglong Tyre, currently ranked 12th globally in the segment by unit sales, is forecast to take tenth place by 2019, replacing South Korea’s Kumho Tyre. The move would make the manufacturer the first from China to enter the PCLT top 10.
Prometeon: no transfer of Aeolus production to Prometeon factories
Following statements from Aeolus suggesting “Aeolus moves production to Egypt and/or Turkey“, Prometeon Tyre Group has announced that the project to transfer the production of tyres in the production plants of Prometeon Tyre Group, “is still under initial assessment by the two groups, as it is part of the broader integration project of the two companies”.
Tariff fightback? What importers and associations are doing in response to European anti-Chinese truck tyre duties
It is clear that European anti-truck tyre tariffs are already having marked impact on the shape of the market. This is putting pressure on affected importers and manufacturers alike, but – as we have seen elsewhere in this feature – it could also lead to price increases and product shortages. Here Tyres & Accessories takes a closer look at the issue and what is being done in response based on contributions of industry associations such as the NTDA and ITMA as well as key industry figures.
