A long report in China Tire dealer outlines the challenges faced by tire retailers in China. In particular, those who carry a lot of stock are losing money on the inventory as prices fall. Tire manufacturers are in the same position, so they are trying to force the dealers and wholesalers to buy more stock,
On the one hand, online sales are complementary to a tire dealer’s traditional customer base. On the other, they are cannibalistic. This is the dilemma facing tire dealers around the world, and China’s tire dealers are no different. With online sales, pricing is very transparent and in a competitive business environment, your neighbor can always
A Chinese executive, previously in charge of Michelin’s Online tire sales activities in China is setting up a competing platform. Zhang Jun (张军 ) is setting up a new tire sales network called Lu Master (鲁师傅 ), which some may think is reminiscent of the Michelin Euromaster brand. He has recruited a number of former
At the same time as Zhang Jun (张军 ) (see above story) was launching his competing system, Michelin announced an upgrade to its tire retail and online sales platform in China. The new Chi 2.0 platform is designed to offer a world-leading automotive maintenance concept, providing a range of services in addition to tires. The
At the end of 2015, Michelin updated its China website. The site was last revised in 2012. The site adds geographic functionality, allowing users to locate stores in their immediate area with the click of one button. It also integrates better with Michelin’s global IT platforms. Source: press release from Michelin
Wanli (South China Tire) is developing tires for electric and hybrid vehicles, and discovering that rolling resistance is the key to this specialized application. The company showed a conept tire at the Guangzhou motor show. Wanli Chairman Chen Miao (陈淼 ) said his company is developing new tires with substantially better combination of wet grip,
Despite a large increase in SR capacity in China, and level or declining tire sales, imports of SR in 2015 grew by 17.9% to .1463m tonnes. There are currently 65 companies making different types of synthetic rubber, up from just 10 a few years ago. However, because of low-technology, most of these are operating at
Shengtai group is reportedly stepping up inspections of its tires to eliminate flaws. A report on TireChina said the company has 130 sales outlets in China and exports to more than 30 countries and regions
Wanda Group’s Tire operations, Shandong Wanda BoTo has installed an intelligent multi-storey automated warehousing unit. Although the company did not say so, the equipment looks similar to the automated warehousing systems installed by Mesnac at its sister company, Sailun in Qingdao. Source: China Think Tank
Following the award of China’s Machinery Industry Science and Technology Award, tire machinery engineer Sun Guijuan (孙桂娟 ) is hoping to increase sales of Chinese machinery to Chinese tire makers. She has developed a Calendar claimed to be up to the level of Western equipment and already 20 of these units have been sold in
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