Giti Tire
Giti Tire held a groundbreaking ceremony on 20 September to officially inaugurate the start of work on its latest facility, an event the tyre maker says holds a “particular significance” as it also marks the group’s 30th anniversary of manufacturing in China. Executive chairman Enki Tan reinforced this during proceedings by stating that “the upcoming modernised Hefei plant not only celebrates our legacy but also sets the stage for Giti’s next chapter.”
Giti Tire, the manufacturer of the GT Radial and Runway tyre brands has signed another exclusive distribution agreement with UK wholesaler Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS). The new four-year deal, which covers passenger car, SUV, 4×4 and light truck tyre segments in the UK and Republic of Ireland replacement markets, will run until 2026. The partnership commenced in 2010, meaning the latest EDA will take the relationship between the companies to 16 years. MTS has agreed to continue the expansion of the GT Radial Performance Centres (GTPCs) dealer programme, while jointly promoting Runway across its larger independent network. The distributor will also remain closely involved in product development.
Giti-sponsored Truck Team Holten’s modified Mercedes 1622 800HP finished in fourth place in the Rallye Breslau while completing its fourth consecutive year on a set of Giti tyres. The Netherlands-based team entered two vehicles in the Cross Country Trucks category, with the Mercedes team recording five top three finishes in a field of 10 while the Scania 4×4 630 started well, completing the prologue and the first two legs before having to withdraw with significant engine damage. Both vehicles fit the Giti GAO897 mixed service tyre in size 14.00R20. The tyre is designed to work across a wide range of air pressures to optimise performance in different conditions and in temperatures ranging from 55˚C to a minimum of -40˚C.
GT Radial is delivering the latest extensions to its winter tyre line, the WinterPro2 evo and the WinterPro2 Sport, to European dealers preparing for the 2023/24 winter season. The GT Radial WinterPro2 evo arrives in 44 sizes with rims ranging from 13-17”, section widths from 155-245 and series sizes from 50-80. Manufacturer Giti Tire has introduced another 14 sizes to its winter tyre for performance vehicles, the GT Radial WinterPro2 Sport, bringing the total number to 23. The GT Radial brand is distributed exclusively by Micheldever Tyre Services in the UK.
The award-winning VW ID. Buzz will roll off production lines on the GitiSynergyH2, as tyre manufacturer Giti Tire secures its first European electric vehicle (EV) original equipment homologation. The ID. Buzz will fit 235/60 R18 (front) and 255/55 R18 (rear) tyres, and is being produced in Hannover, Germany near Giti Tire’s European Research & Development Centre, where the tyre was designed. The ID. Buzz was recently named Overall Winner and Best Large Electric Car at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards 2023. The tyre has won previous original equipment contracts for Volkswagen Group combustion-engine powered vehicles.
With manufacturers taking various strategies to achieve electric vehicle tyre growth, there is an opportunity for distributors to support tyre retailers in building consumer understanding of this still-new segment of the tyre market. It is arguably more important than ever that the leaps forward in EV tyre product development be supported by a well-informed distribution chain. Having assisted with EV tyre workshops and training sessions over the past two years, Graham Mitchell, Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS) wholesale director, updates Tyres & Accessories on its latest support for EV tyres, as well as its latest product range and view of the developing market.
Giti Tire has added nine new GT Radial SportActive 2 sizes, including its first 22” rim for premium powerful SUVs and three recently unveiled dedicated electric vehicle (EV) tyres. Size 275/40R22 is aimed at large premium segment vehicles such as the Audi RSQ8, BMW X7 and Range Rover Sport while 275/45R21, 255/50R20, 235/50R19, one of the biggest sellers in Europe, and 255/60R18 develop the pattern’s 4×4, CUV and SUV coverage. The recently launched AAA-rated GT Radial SportActive 2 EV is now available in sizes 255/45R20 and 235/55R19 to cover the largest selling EV models from Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, VW and Volvo to name a few, while 235/45R18 is aimed primarily at the Tesla Model 3. The tyres are now available in the UK from GT Radial’s exclusive distributor in the market, Micheldever Tyre Services.
Upon entering into a global co-branding agreement earlier in the year, Giti Tire said it would add the slogan ‘Giti – Powered by Sparco’ to the sidewalls of UHP tyres from 2024. One product that may gain the slogan is the next-generation GitiSport GTR3. The tyre maker unveiled the road-legal semi-slick to international customers in June, and a spokesman told Tyrepress.com of plans to debut GitiSport GTR3 in Europe next year.
Giti Tire has launched its Mercury fleet management programme. The programme offers online real-time reporting across all core operational areas. Giti plans to offer Mercury as a value-added service to all truck and bus customers contracted to the brand. Giti is also introducing its Retorque App, designed to give fleet managers visibility that their retorque policy is being followed in real time. The software was soft-launched with several UK-based key fleet customers last September, the company adds. The launch is designed to allow Giti, a mid-market player, to offer services that are now common amongst premium fleet tyre suppliers and partners.
Giti Tire has appointed Lars Ohnsorge as senior manager automotive engineering Europe OE. The company said the appointment of the experienced tyre professional would further strengthen its original equipment operations, following the recruitment of Nicolas Kluson as key account manager Europe OE in April, with both providing in-depth technical support and direction from the company’s European R&D Center in Hannover, Germany. Giti said its new OE team will immediately focus on the manufacturer’s existing OE relationships with BMW Group, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), VW Group (Audi, Seat, Skoda, VW) and VW Commercial Vehicles as well as introduce the Giti brand and business philosophy to other key vehicle manufacturers.
GT Radial has unveiled its “dual approach” strategy to the electric vehicle tyre market. The headline news is that the brand’s manufacturer Giti Tire has produced an initial three 18-20” sizes of the specialist GT Radial SportActive 2 EV tyre, with the 19 and 20-inch variations achieving the top AAA label rating. GT Radial has also introduced 16 “EV Ready” tyres in the brand’s popular SportActive 2 and FE2 portfolios, demonstrating the manufacturer’s strategy to supply both specialist EV tyres and products suitable for EVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Giti’s European managing director – product technology, Stefan Fischer explains why the tyre manufacturer views this approach as “a game changer”.
Giti Tire Motorsport by WS Racing’s ‘Girls Only’ team displayed camaraderie, determination and spirit to finish the 51st ADAC TotalEnergies 24-hour Nürburgring endurance race with technical issues, no-fault crashes and technical problems all overcome. Heading into the weekend on a high, regular drivers Célia Martin, Fabienne Wohlwend, Pippa Mann and Beitzke Visser in the all-new G82 series BMW M4 GT4, supported by all-women pit and management crews, began at the very rear of the starting group due to a controversial technical offence.
Giti Tire has described its visit to the 51st ADAC TotalEnergies 24-hour Nürburgring race as “a huge weekend” for its motorsport division. The manufacturer is supporting its all-female racing team again and will ramp up its new brand building partnership with Sparco. This means that as well as participating in the event, Giti will have its broadest selection of marketing activities at the event. Stefan Brohs, marketing director – Europe for Giti Tire, promises a “full communication strategy” designed to launch the “Giti – Powered by Sparco” slogan for in-person and online viewers.
Craig and Simon Reid and the rest of the team at Reid Freight Services are completing final preparations to transport their two racing trucks to Brands Hatch for the first event of the 2023 British Truck Racing Championship season when Tyres & Accessories visits the regional haulage firm’s Stoke-on-Trent site. The brothers and their father, David, have a long history of competing in one of motorsport’s most unique disciplines, with a reception area lined with trophies and memorabilia from track-based competition to show for it. In 2023, both brothers are competing in division one of the BTRC. Craig, who is infectiously enthusiastic about racing if also endearingly downbeat about his own chances in the competition, took the time to tell T&A about the Reid brothers’ trucks, the competition, and his affinity for the tyres of the series’ exclusive tyre supplier, Giti, both on-track and on the Reid fleet of trucks, heavy haulage trailers and specialist rail logistics units.
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Andrew Bogie/Tyres & Accessories