With the first Chinese brand models set for sale in the UK and various European markets by the end of 2012, Chinese tyre manufacturers with OE-supply deals in their homeland could begin to see a very small amount of pull-through.

While some Chinese cars such as the Shanghai Automotive-owned MG brand are already driving on British roads under local monikers, Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd’s Emgrand EC7 family hatchback and saloon will be something of a first when it goes on sale in the UK. Geely, which is currently mid-way through a UK dealer recruitment programme targeting 40 dealers, appears to be trying to do what Hyundai and Kia have done in recent years and build a position quickly from scratch by offering “good quality, really good value for money and a long warranty.”