MONROVIA, Calif. (May 23, 2008) - Two years after adding radial light truck tires to its product lineup, China Manufacturers Alliance L.L.C. is making plans to expand into the passenger tire market.
The Monrovia-based U.S. sales and marketing subsidiary of China´s Double Coin Holdings Ltd. launched its line of light truck radials in 2006, and CMA Vice President Aaron Murphy suggested a passenger tire program initiated by its parent company might begin to take shape in 2009.
Until 2001, Double Coin-then known as Shanghai Tyre & Rubber Co. Ltd.-operated a passenger and light truck tire plant in Shanghai, but the company sold 70 percent of its ownership to Michelin.
According to Murphy, the company has two main reasons for wanting to launch a passenger tire program, plans for which are still in preliminary stages.
"Number one, the passenger and light truck sector of the tire market is the largest by far, and at this time we do not participate in (the passenger side) at all," he said.
"The second is (that) passenger and light truck is where you have the largest brand recognition. We feel that participating in that segment helps us increase our exposure."
Murphy said tires likely will be made at various facilities in China, including a new truck tire plant Double Coin plans to open in Chongqing, China, as early as late 2008.