China’s ZC Rubber, manufacturer of the Westlake, Goodride, Chaoyang, Arisun and Trazano tyre brands, has shared news of its recent activities in the original equipment tyre supply business, a sector where it has been present for more than a decade. In recent months the company added Volkswagen and Ford/Lincoln to its OEM portfolio, joining firms such as Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo, Changan Auto, Great Wall Motor and Geely.
TrustFord has opened two new PartsPlus sites as the dealer group nears the completion of its new wholesale parts network expansion. The new sites, in Hull and Lincoln, were both opened on 17 July by Stuart Foulds, chairman and chief executive of TrustFord, accompanied by Dean Kemsley, general manager, and members of the board. The openings follow investment in Ford’s Quick Lane tyre and autocentre chain and brings the total number of TrustFord-operated PartsPlus sites to 14 across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. A further site is due to open later this year.
Hankook Tire reports that it is currently discussing original equipment tyre supply opportunities with “several top-tier US auto manufacturers,” with a view to becoming the original equipment supplier for a “handful of popular 2019 models.” The tyre maker says it is also negotiating “notable partnerships” in the USA for this year. In 2017 Hankook secured OE deals with two of the top-selling sedans on the US market, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.
Hankook Tire will supply its Dynapro HT all-season tyre as original equipment for the 2015 Lincoln Navigator, an SUV built primarily for the North American market. The company views supply of the 275/55R20T tyre as further penetration into both the Lincoln brand and the luxury SUV segment as a whole. In addition to this new agreement for the Navigator, Hankook supplies Ford’s premium vehicle division with tyres for the Lincoln MKT full-size touring saloon and MKZ mid-size passenger car.
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