Chinese tyre maker Jinyu Tire Group has completed the passenger car tyre project in Vietnam as part of its strategy to return to the passenger vehicle tyre market. The group fully commissioned the plant, which can manufacture 10 million high-performance semi-steel radial tyres annually, in a ceremony on 15 April.

Launched in January last year, the project is an expansion of Jinyu’s existing truck & bus tyre production facility in Tay Ninh province, which currently produces two million TBR tyres annually. By the second half of 2026, the factory should be scaled up to full capacity. The company expects to produce 10 million TBR and 10 million PCR tyres annually across all of its production facilities once the initiative goes into full-scale production.

After a five-year hiatus to concentrate on the development of TBR tyres, Jinyu is making a triumphant comeback to the passenger vehicle tyre market with this landmark project. The facility has a testing unit, a technical R&D centre and automated manufacturing equipment. In order to guarantee that operations are traceable and controlled, the factory additionally uses intelligent management systems like MES, RDM and LIMS for real-time data collecting and analysis.

Chang Xianxu, Chairman, Jinyu Tire, said, "The successful completion of the PCR project in Vietnam is another breakthrough for Jinyu Tire in multiple dimensions such as high-end tyre manufacturing, technology research and development, production management and international operation capabilities. This also serves as a strong testament to Jinyu Tire’s unwavering commitment to the development and application of rubber tyre technologies and services, with the mission of delivering optimal value and experience to its customers. Upon full-scale production, the project is expected to reach an annual capacity of 10 million high-performance passenger and light truck (PLT) tyres by the second half of 2026. By then, Jinyu Tire will possess a dual production capacity of 10 million units each for TBR (Truck and Bus Radial) and PLT tyres, enabling the company to better serve and meet the needs of its global customers, while helping its global partners achieve greater business scale. This reflects a deep embodiment of the company’s core value – ‘Common Interests Above All Else’.”

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The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) is set to showcase retreaded commercial vehicle tyres as a dual-purpose solution for cost and emission reductions at IAA Transportation 2026. The event, running from 15 to 20 September with a press day on 14 September, aligns with the fair’s central theme of climate-neutral logistics, under the motto ‘WE DELIVER’.

These retreaded tyres deliver equivalent quality, safety, mileage and axle performance when compared to brand-new models while offering a superior ecological profile and a more favourable cost-per-kilometre ratio. Their economic and environmental benefits will be highlighted at Hall 12, Stand A55, drawing attention to their role in sustainable freight operations.

Citing a Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT study commissioned by AZuR, the retreading process cuts CO2 emissions by over 60 percent relative to new tyre production, saving roughly 135 kilogrammes per truck tyre. This is achieved alongside a two-thirds reduction in raw material usage and a 50 percent decrease in energy consumption, underscoring the process’s resource efficiency.

Manufactured to original design specifications and subjected to rigorous safety checks, retreaded tyres comply with the strict ECE R109 standard. Their capacity for multiple retreading cycles keeps valuable materials in use longer, significantly lowering per-kilometre tyre costs. For fleet operators and forwarders, the AZuR exhibit offers a compelling case for both environmental and financial returns.

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Prinx Chengshan participated in the 2026 Thailand-China Cooperation Expo at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center in Bangkok. The event, under the theme ‘Investing in the Future, Growing Together’, was convened to implement key bilateral agreements and leverage emerging trade opportunities. Prinx Chengshan actively sought to integrate into the bilateral structure, exploring industrial alignment and market expansion to foster synchronised growth between the two nations.

Xu Jiangang, General Manager of Prinx Chengshan (Thailand) Co., Ltd., engaged with Jiang Wei, Minister-Counselor of the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Thailand; Lin Chuqin, Chairman of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce; Liu Quanlei, Chairman of the Thai Chinese Enterprises General Chamber of Commerce and Sumet Thangprasert, Governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand. Discussions centred on localisation strategy, intelligent manufacturing, global vision and sustainable practices.

Government and business representatives commended Prinx Chengshan's progress since its 2019 Thai establishment. They praised the Thailand Smart Factory's intelligent production and green initiatives. The company's role in cultural exchanges and local economic development was also recognized, establishing a foundation for future collaboration.

As the first overseas manufacturing hub, the Thailand Plant boosts bilateral trade and industrial cooperation. The facility uses advanced calenders and five-compound technology to automate handling and logistics. It operates Southeast Asia's largest rooftop solar project, while social programmes cover education, disaster relief and employment, building cultural bridges between both countries.

The expo featured Prinx Chengshan's Prinx AQUILA PRO tyres, known for energy efficiency, comfort and low noise. These have been integrated into models like the MG5 PRO Thailand Edition, MG S5 EV Thailand Edition and Changan NEVO Q05. The company has strengthened its original equipment manufacturer position, forging alliances with MG and NEVO for localised mobility solutions.

Prinx Chengshan signed a Memorandum of Understanding with upstream partners to deepen resource complementarity with Thai rubber industries. The company will enhance its product portfolio, reinforce localisation and intensify supply chain synergies. Through the Thailand-China platform, Prinx Chengshan aims to contribute to mutual prosperity and chart new growth for Chinese tyre enterprises globally.

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Bridgestone’s newly launched Total Cost of Ownership platform emerged as a central attraction at this year’s Road Transport Expo, where fleet operators gathered to examine how customised data analytics can refine logistical expenditures. The tool, which made its premiere at the Stoneleigh event, drew thousands of attendees eager to explore the practical applications of operational metrics in minimising fleet-related outlays. Organisers recorded a total turnout of 13,325 visitors, a significant portion of whom engaged directly with Bridgestone’s commercial team to assess the platform’s capabilities.

The TCO Calculator allows transport companies to input their specific performance data, generating individualised cost comparisons that move beyond generic industry benchmarks. This tailored approach enables managers to pinpoint potential savings and make commercially sound choices based on their unique operational profiles. Concurrently, the booth featured ongoing presentations of Bridgestone’s broader portfolio, including premium truck tyres, Bandag retreading systems, Fleetcare services and Webfleet’s digital tools, all of which sustained a steady flow of professional inquiries throughout the event.

Product highlights included the ECOPIA with ENLITEN technology, promoted for its fuel-saving attributes, and the Duravis line, engineered for extended mileage and reduced early tyre removal. Bandag’s retread offerings also drew considerable attention, underscoring the industry’s shifting focus towards sustainable practices that prolong casing life and diminish waste. These presentations reinforced the message that performance need not be sacrificed for ecological or economic benefits.

The exhibition underscored Bridgestone’s broader strategy of lowering total ownership costs through an integrated mix of tyre manufacturing, retreading, telematics and expert consultation. Additional Webfleet innovations, such as AI-powered Fleet Advisor, connected cameras and PRO Driver Terminals, highlighted the role of interconnected technology in boosting safety and regulatory compliance. The positive reception of the TCO platform confirmed that data-centric decision-making is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of modern transport management.

David Almazan, Head of Region and Commercial Business Unit Director, said, “RTX proved to be a fantastic opportunity to meet with customers and have meaningful conversations about the challenges they're facing. There was a real appetite to explore new ways of reducing operating costs, and the response to Bridgestone’s new Total Cost of Ownership platform. The number of visitors wanting to understand how the tool works and how it can be applied to their own operations showed us that fleets are increasingly looking beyond individual products and taking a broader view of total operating costs. That's exactly what the TCO tool has been designed to support.

“RTX continues to be one of the UK's most important events for the commercial vehicle sector, and this year's show demonstrated just how engaged the industry is in finding smarter, more sustainable ways to operate. The quality of conversations we had throughout the three days was exceptional. It wasn't simply about introducing new products; it was about working alongside fleets to understand their businesses and identify practical solutions that deliver long-term value. That's exactly where Bridgestone can make a real difference.”

Alex Crane-Robinson, Webfleet Regional Director, UK and Ireland, said, “The conversations we had at RTX highlighted the growing importance of our technology in helping operators manage increasingly complex and demanding operations. By giving fleets clearer visibility of their vehicles, drivers and day-to-day performance, data insights can help them identify opportunities to improve efficiency, support compliance and control costs. RTX offered a valuable opportunity to demonstrate how Webfleet can help operators use these insights to make faster, better-informed decisions.”

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The Bundeskartellamt has levied fines totalling EUR 11.9 million against Maxxis International GmbH, Best4Tires Berlin GmbH and Reifen Müller GmbH & Co. KG, alongside an individual responsible for the infractions. Maxxis, functioning as the exclusive German importer for Taiwanese manufacturer Cheng Shin Rubber, supplies tyres under its own brand and the CST label, while the other two firms operate as domestic wholesalers.

The proceedings originated when a competing wholesaler disclosed the restrictive practices to the authority and agreed to cooperate fully. The allegations centre on a coordinated scheme to control pricing within the German wholesale market for Maxxis and CST tyres. At the end of 2015, Maxxis, responding to commercial pressure from wholesalers including the predecessor of Best4Tires Berlin and Reifen Müller, initiated margin guarantee contracts that assured fixed profit margins on each tyre sold, later extending similar deals to nine additional distributors.

Central to the arrangement was a tacit agreement that wholesalers would avoid price leadership and adopt only a defensive sales posture, particularly on the Tyre24 online platform. Maxxis concurrently deployed a price moderation framework that prescribed recommended resale prices, continuously monitored actual market prices via buyer accounts on the platform, and systematically intervened against perceived underpricing. This system persisted until July 2024, when the company abandoned the practice and terminated all remaining margin agreements following the cartel office’s intervention.

The authority also determined that the two wholesalers had actively pursued and benefited from these margin guarantees, with Best4Tires Berlin inheriting liability for its predecessor’s continuation of the anti-competitive behaviour after its 2022 acquisition. Mitigating factors in the penalty assessment included cooperation from Maxxis and Best4Tires Berlin, alongside settlements agreed by Maxxis and Reifen Müller. The fine orders remain subject to appeal before the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court, which will conduct a full factual and legal review of the case.

Andreas Mundt, President, Bundeskartellamt, said, “Vertical price-fixing agreements tend to put consumers at a disadvantage as they often lead to excessive prices. The Bundeskartellamt vigorously prosecutes such practices, which have already been prohibited since the early 1970s. In any case, agreements guaranteeing distributors a certain margin violate competition law if, as here, they contain provisions on distributors’ selling prices, thereby restricting their freedom to set prices.”

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