For the first six months of 2008, Nokian Tyres plc posted net sales of 530.3 million euros, a 22.6% increase over the same period in 2007.

Operating profit increased to 128.6 million euros during the first half of the year.

"Nokian's sales continued to grow steeply," says Nokian CEO and President Kim Gran. "Most of the growth came from the pre-sales of winter tyres for passenger cars in Russia. Other product groups and core markets did also well.

"The outlook for 2008 is good, and we expect strong growth to continue in our key markets."