Sentury appoints ex-Michelin technician to head R&D centre
Recently, Sentury appointed Philippe Oberti as deputy general manager and director of its R&D centre.
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Groundbreaking for Giti Tire’s Hefei plant
Giti Tire held a groundbreaking ceremony on 20 September to officially inaugurate the start of work on its latest facility, an event the tyre maker says holds a “particular significance” as it also marks the group’s 30th anniversary of manufacturing in China. Executive chairman Enki Tan reinforced this during proceedings by stating that “the upcoming modernised Hefei plant not only celebrates our legacy but also sets the stage for Giti’s next chapter.”
Giti Tire brings guests & a legend to Convoy in the Park
Giti Tire welcomed over 750 guests from across Europe onto its stand at this year’s Convoy in the Park at Donington Park, with Honda TT legend John McGuinness MBE the star attraction driving in his first-ever truck races.
Launch for GitiSport GTR3 – but European drivers must wait
Upon entering into a global co-branding agreement earlier in the year, Giti Tire said it would add the slogan ‘Giti – Powered by Sparco’ to the sidewalls of UHP tyres from 2024. One product that may gain the slogan is the next-generation GitiSport GTR3. The tyre maker unveiled the road-legal semi-slick to international customers in June, and a spokesman told Tyrepress.com of plans to debut GitiSport GTR3 in Europe next year.
Giti launches Mercury total fleet management solution
Giti TireGiti Tire has launched its Mercury fleet management programme. The programme offers online real-time reporting across all core operational areas. Giti plans to offer Mercury as a value-added service to all truck and bus customers contracted to the brand. Giti is also introducing its Retorque App, designed to give fleet managers visibility that their retorque policy is being followed in real time. The software was soft-launched with several UK-based key fleet customers last September, the company adds. The launch is designed to allow Giti, a mid-market player, to offer services that are now common amongst premium fleet tyre suppliers and partners.
Giti Tire appoints senior manager automotive engineering Europe OE
Giti TireGiti Tire has appointed Lars Ohnsorge as senior manager automotive engineering Europe OE. The company said the appointment of the experienced tyre professional would further strengthen its original equipment operations, following the recruitment of Nicolas Kluson as key account manager Europe OE in April, with both providing in-depth technical support and direction from the company’s European R&D Center in Hannover, Germany. Giti said its new OE team will immediately focus on the manufacturer’s existing OE relationships with BMW Group, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), VW Group (Audi, Seat, Skoda, VW) and VW Commercial Vehicles as well as introduce the Giti brand and business philosophy to other key vehicle manufacturers.
Auto and tyre cross-border forum focuses on future development
On June 9, the 2023 Auto-Tyre Cross-border Development Summit Forum was held in Beijing. The theme of this forum is “Looking forward, responding to changes”. Representatives attending the meeting came from automobile manufacturers such as Chery, Great Wall Motor (GWM) and BAIC and tyre manufacturers such as Michelin, Maxxis, Triangle and Giti.
Giti Tire, WS Racing, Sparco set to sparkle at Nürburgring 24-hour race
Giti TireGiti Tire has described its visit to the 51st ADAC TotalEnergies 24-hour Nürburgring race as “a huge weekend” for its motorsport division. The manufacturer is supporting its all-female racing team again and will ramp up its new brand building partnership with Sparco. This means that as well as participating in the event, Giti will have its broadest selection of marketing activities at the event. Stefan Brohs, marketing director – Europe for Giti Tire, promises a “full communication strategy” designed to launch the “Giti – Powered by Sparco” slogan for in-person and online viewers.
Brand Finance: Giti honoured by double Top 10 rankings
Commenting on the “excellent news” that it has retained tenth place amongst the world’s tyre makers on the Brand Finance Automotive Industry 2023 ranking of most valuable brands, Giti states it is “very honoured” to have received this accolade. The tyre maker also notes that Brand Finance listed Giti among the top ten tyre brands in its Sustainability Perceptions Value ranking.
Richard Lyons becomes Kumho Tyre UK MD
Scott Parker-Copestick/Tyre Industry Publications LtdAt the start of April, Richard Lyons became executive managing director of Kumho Tyre UK. Lyons joins the company after roughly seven years with Trelleborg Wheel Systems in a variety of roles, latterly as managing director UK and Ireland. Before that, Lyons spent around 11 years with Giti where he oversaw significant growth at the company and rose to the role of managing director Europe and director – International sales and marketing, passenger car.
Nicolas Kluson named Giti Tire’s Europe OE key account manager
Giti Tire has appointed Nicolas Kluson Key Account Manager Europe OE. Kluson will immediately take charge of the company’s existing original equipment relationships with BMW Group, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), VW Group (Audi, Seat, Skoda, VW) and VW Commercial Vehicles as well as introducing the Giti brand and business philosophy to other key vehicle manufacturers.
Giti starts construction of new Anhui tyre factory
Li Yu; Hefei DailyOn 30 March, Giti began construction of its new tyre factory in Anhui Province, China. The specific location of the project is Changfeng County, Hefei, Anhui. On the 31st, Yu Aihua, secretary of the Hefei Municipal Party Committee, went to the construction site to investigate and stressed that it would be completed and put into operation within 12 months.
Giti collaborates with global racing equipment supplier Sparco in joint-branding agreement
SparcoGiti Tire has signed a multi-year global co-branding agreement with Sparco, one the world’s leading manufacturers of motorsport safety systems and racing equipment. The Giti brand becomes global automotive tyre partner of the Italian brand under the deal, while the slogan “Giti – Powered by Sparco” will appear on the sidewall of key UHP sizes from 2024. The development of these products will form a “bridge” between the businesses, according to Sparco.
Giti becomes official tyre partner of BK Mladá Boleslav
Giti TireGiti Tire’s support for European ice hockey has been enhanced with its sponsorship of top-flight Czech Republic team, BK Mladá Boleslav. The brand will become the team’s official tyre partner, with its logo on advertising boards and players pants. It will include several VIP events, which the company will use for distribution and sales partners. The new deal will enhance Giti’s involvement in the Champions Hockey League, for which the manufacturer’s GT Radial brand is the official tyre partner.
Giti relocates Hefei tyre factory
Anhui GitiOn 6 March, the authorities of Hefei City, Anhui Province, released reported that they they had reached a consensus with Giti headquarters on relocating the Hefei factory. The chairman of Giti Tire will go to Hefei soon to inspect the address of the new factory.
