Nokian Tyres PLC's 2001 first quarter sales totaled 76.6 million euros, a 14.1% increase over last year's first quarter.
Nokian's passenger tire sales grew to 39.2 million euros, a 15.5% jump from the same period during the year 2000.
"Sales were boosted by new summer tires such as the Nokian NRZi," say company officials. "Particularly active markets included the United States, Russia and southern European countries."
Sales of forestry and other heavy tires reached the 13.3 million euro mark, a 1% gain over the first quarter of last year.
In addition, the manufacturing agreement announced last year between Nokian and Groupe Michelin started to bear fruit during the first quarter. "The first agricultural tires manufactured by Michelin were introduced to the market early in the year and truck tire deliveries will begin in early summer."
