Last week, ZC Rubber hosted a dealer conference and driving experience event for European dealers at the Nürburgring Nordschleife that provided its European partners an opportunity to personally experience the performance of two flagship tyres. The company also spoke about the path it intends to take with Westlake and Goodride.
ZC Rubber has named Martin Wells as the company’s new European managing director and president of ZC Technical Center and Global OE. Meanwhile, Jörn Tietjens has been appointed as senior key account manager/senior automotive engineer of the European ZC Technical Center.
Zhongce Rubber Group Co., Ltd (ZC Rubber) has opened a facility in Germany to support its global original equipment development and to work with key OE accounts in the region. The Europe Technical Center (ETC) is located in Hannover and began operations on 1 November. Two key members of the team, Martin Wells and Jörn Tietjens, join the company from Giti Tire and bring with them considerable OE experience, particularly with Volkswagen Group.
Giti Tire’s GitiSynergyH2 has won another European original equipment tyre fitment. The Seat Ateca will roll off production lines on the AA-rated size 225/55R17 97V. The news represents the manufacturer’s second VW Group passenger car OE selection in the last month following its fitment in the same size on the Skoda Karoq. The GitiSynergyH2 is also specified by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, selected in size 215/55R17 XL 98H and 205/60 R16 XL 96H for the VW Caddy 5, one of the best-selling commercial vehicles in Europe.
Giti Tire’s original equipment progress has continued with another fitment for Groupe Renault’s Dacia brand. Three months after it announced the new Dacia Sandero and Logan models would roll of factory lines on the GitiSynergyE1, the carmaker has selected the same tyre for the new Dacia Sandero Stepway. Giti will supply the tyre in size 205/60R16 92H for the model, which has recently gone into production. The GitiSynergyE1 is also OE on the Seat Arona crossover, a VW Group model in the same vehicle segment.
Giti Tyre’s GitiSynergyH2 has been selected for a second original equipment fitment on the VW Caddy 5. The tyre, currently supplied to the OE segment, is the company’s first to achieve an AA rating on the EU tyre label. The 205/60R16 XL 96H GitiSynergyH2 joins 215/55R17 XL 98H as a second size option on the production line of one of the best-selling commercial vehicles in Europe.
The first tyre produced by Giti Tire to attain A grade wet grip and fuel economy on the EU label tyre has secured its second VW Group fitment in as many months. This time, the Skoda Karoq will roll off factory lines on the GitiSynergyH2 in size 225/55R17 97V. The mid-sized SUV joins the light commercial Volkswagen Caddy 5 in selecting the version of the new tyre, specially developed in cooperation with the VW Group. The tyre is due to receive its aftermarket launch in March 2021, and will replace the GitiSynergyE1 and GitiPremiumH1, with which Giti launched its brand in Europe in 2016.
Giti Tire has produced its first AA-rated EU label tyre. The GitiSynergyH2 original equipment tyre, produced in size 215/55R17 XL 98H for the bestselling VW Caddy 5 light commercial vehicle, achieved A grades in the EU label’s wet grip and fuel efficiency metrics. The deal follows Giti’s first LCV OE deal with Volkswagen earlier in 2020, for the larger Crafter model. An aftermarket version of the new GitiSynergyH2 will be launched in the aftermarket in March 2021, replacing the GitiSynergyE1 and GitiPremiumH1, both of which were part of the original Giti brand launch into Europe in 2016. Label ratings for the replacement range will be confirmed during the model’s aftermarket launch.
Giti Tire’s GitiVanHD1 tyre has been selected as original equipment for the award-winning VW Crafter. Named Parkers’ 2020 Best Large Van of the Year, the Crafter will roll off the Wreszenia, Poland production line on the size 205/70R17 C115/113R tyre on the front and rear axles. The rear axle is a twin fitment, distributing the load across four tyres. The deal marks Giti Tire’s first European light commercial vehicle OE fitment.
Giti Tire has secured a second original equipment (OE) homologation fitment with Groupe Renault, and its first SUV placement for the Giti brand in Europe. The GitiPremium PX1 SUV, in size 215/65 R16 98H, is fitted to the new Dacia Duster, available in every major European market. The manufacturer states that the tyre’s key attributes include low noise and exceptional grip.
Giti Tire has won three Renault Group homologations. Its GitiSynergyE1, in size 185/65 R15 88H, will be fitted as original equipment on the Dacia Sandero, Logan and MCV which are available in every major market throughout Europe. The news follows Giti’s inaugural European placement with the Volkswagen Group.
Giti Tire has won its first European original equipment contract for the Volkswagen Group. The manufacturer will supply its GitiSynergyE1 for the Seat Ibiza in size 185/70R14 88H. Giti Tire Europe managing director for product technology, Stefan Fischer stated that the new approval “underlines our ambition for the OE segment,” in addition to the “outstanding work” of the company’s Hanover-based European R&D centre.
The company supplying as many as a fifth of all car tyres fitted to new vehicles manufactured and sold in China is preparing for the European launch of its flagship brand, and has its sights on both the original equipment and replacement markets in our region. With its new, designed-for-Europe Giti range, Giti Tire aims to become “an established original equipment supplier and recognised technology partner in Europe.” Three product lines will be introduced into a key initial market in the coming months ahead of a wider European rollout.
With an eye on increasing its OEM business, Giti Tire has announced two senior appointments at its R&D Centre Europe. Dr Claus Oberbeck has taken on the role of OE chief engineer at the facility in Hannover, Germany, while Martin Wells has become global account manager for German OEMs.
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