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.
The news that commercial vehicle tyre registration took effect on 1 February has been met with lots of questions from inside the trade. At the most panicked end of the spectrum, some wholesalers fear that all Chinese-produced truck tyres could end up being subject to at least a 30 per cent levy.
On 1 February the European Commission began implementing regulation (EU) 2018/163, making imports of new and retreaded commercial vehicle tyres originating from China subject to registration. The news follows the initiation of anti-dumping proceedings on 11 August 2017 and anti-subsidy proceedings on 14 October 2017.
Shandong O’Green Group has announced plans to exhibit at Tyre & Rubber Indonesia 2018.
Established in July 2006, O’Green is located in Guangrao, Dongying, Shandong. The company, covering an area of 360,000 square meters, has a capital of 2 billion yuan and annual output of 3 billion yuan as well as over 2000 staff including 260 technicians.
CST is expanding its UK ATV tyre portfolio with the addition of the Stag and Behemoth.
The launch of the Stag and Behemoth ranges coincides with the hopeful anticipation of warmer, dryer weather conditions bought about by the British summer. Whilst the Stag is an all-weather, all-conditions tyre that offers fantastic year-round performance, the Behemoth has been designed with dryer conditions in mind and is classed as an intermediate ATV tyre, designed to conquer any trail in woodlands or desert environments.
Chinese bus fleet operator Guangzhou Jumbo Bus Co Ltd. intends to convert its entire fleet of LNG-powered buses to electric propulsion over the coming three years, and as it does so will exclusively shod its fleet with Hankook tyres. Jumbo Bus, which operates six city bus companies and a total of 4,500 buses, signed a memorandum of understanding with Hankook Tire this month covering the supply of tyres specifically developed for electric buses.
Through the installation of six new testing machines at its Tire and Wheel testing lab in Suzhou, China, rubber and plastics testing and consulting service provider Smithers Rapra has increased the facility’s ability to server tyre and wheel customers. The new equipment is said to boost capacity at the lab by 35 per cent and broadens its testing capabilities to include cleated tyre and wheel endurance testing, wheel impact, salt spray and tyre air permeation tests.
The integration of Prometeon Tyre Group (the former Pirelli Industrial business) and Aeolus Tyre Co. Ltd has stalled after Aeolus’ pending acquisition of a 90 per cent stake in Prometeon failed to gain overseas acquisition approval from Chinese authorities before the 31 December 2017 deadline.
Qingdao Doublestar broke ground on an industry 4.0 scrap rubber recycling plant in December 2017. When fully operational, the $92.7 million plant will process 200,000 tons of scrap rubber annually.
Linglong Tire is working on a research project to develop radial tyres for large aircraft used in China’s civil aviation industry.
As Linglong Tire notes, China imports more than 80 per cent of the natural rubber its manufacturers use. The company views rubber sourced from dandelions as a potential strategic raw material in the coming years, and in order to promote the industrialisation of dandelion rubber, it plans to invest RMB 30 million (£3.4 million) to set up a new company. The tentative name for this firm is Linglong Dandelion Science and Technology Development Company.
The establishment of Atlas as Shandong Linglong Tire’s flagship tyre brand in China has been further reinforced by the opening of the first Atlas-branded retail outlet within the country. The centre in Guangzhou aims to meet the “highest industry standards” in regards to design, equipment, products, service, scale and professionality, comments the tyre maker.
Following on from its release of a publication for Shanghai last year, Michelin has announced it will extend Michelin Guide coverage to a further city in China. A Michelin guide for Guangzhou will be available in 2018, and Michelin says it will allow everyone – locals, tourists, and business travellers alike – to benefit from the inspectors’ recommendations whatever their desires, tastes and budgets may be. The guide for Guangzhou will be the world’s 31st Michelin guide selection and the seventh in Asia, excluding Japan.
The 13th edition of Automechanika Shanghai, which took place from 29 November to 2 December 2017, has posted its most successful results to date. Visitors totalled 130, 928 (2016: 120,671), a 9 per cent increase. Exhibitors were up 5 per cent to 6,051 (2016: 5,756).
Lighting and electronics expert HELLA and Chinese BAIC Group company Beijing HAINACHUAN Automotive Parts Co. Ltd. (BHAP) have announced, through a joint statement, that they intend to expand their existing collaboration, which has focused on the development and production of lighting systems for the Chinese market, to cover the electronics and aftermarket business.
Following the initial announcement in April 2017 as well as details given to Tyres & Accessories during an interview in September, Guizhou Advance Tyre has announced further details relating to the expansion of its Vietnam factory plans.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
