An open relationship after 22 years of monogamy: German wholesaler Reifen Gundlach has lost exclusive distribution of the GT Radial passenger car tyre range in Germany. Although remaining a close bedfellow of brand owner Giti Tire, from the start of the coming winter season it will share this bed with three other wholesalers.
Giti Tire participated in the 45th ADAC Zurich 24h Race at the Nürburgring partnership with Team Dörr, one of Germany’s most experienced motorsport companies, finishing second in the SP8 class and 40th overall. Its fastest lap time was 09:11.087 minutes. The team’s Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo gained pole position in its class after qualifying but had its winning chances snatched away with a broken drive shaft with two hours remaining. The relationship with Team Dörr dates back to January 2017.
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.
A new sales and marketing director has been appointed to look after Giti Tire’s passenger car and light truck activities in the ‘D-A-CH’ markets of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. As sales and marketing director – PCR, Tobias Stöckmann will work closely with long-term regional partner Reifen Gundlach and other distributors to significantly increase market share for the GT Radial brand, while identifying new sales strategies and customers for Primewell and Runway. Stöckmann and his team are also tasked with maintaining robust market intelligence programmes, further developing retail, promotional and media strategies, and they will also monitor and input into the company’s rolling five-year product development plan.
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