Pirelli begins truck tire production in China

April 11, 2006

Pirelli & Cie SpA has initiated production of truck and bus tires at its plant in Yanzhou, China. Pirelli wants 3% of the Chinese radial truck tire market by the end of 2006.

The tires will be sold throughout Southeast Asia and Australia.

"The start of production follows on from Pirelli’s fine tuning of the development, production and quality control processes in the new factory, bringing them into line with those adopted by the group in the rest of the world," say Pirelli officials.

"A highly advanced research and development center established within the factory will guarantee the development of products that meet the specific demands of the Asian market.

"The Chinese tire market has the highest rate of growth in the world with regard to transport on rubber, and represents 9% of the global market, with a value of around $8 billion, of which over 60% is accounted for by radials."