Chinese tyre manufacturer Linglong Tire has launched its first overseas training centre in the Asia-Pacific region, marking a significant expansion of its global service infrastructure.

The nearly 2,000 square-metre facility, located in the southern Thai province of Chumphon, was officially opened by Yongchao Xu, Vice President of Linglong Tire, and Prasert Tanpibulsak, Chairman of local partner Sanguan Yangyont Chumphon Co., Ltd. (SYY).

The centre is designed to provide comprehensive training for dealers and workshop staff. It features fully equipped workshops, conference rooms, and a service area with an integrated brand shop. Training programmes will cover practical skills such as tyre-fitting, balancing, wheel alignment, and maintenance of automotive accessories such as batteries, brake pads, engine oil, shock absorbers, and rims.

Yongchao Xu, Vice President of Linglong Tire, and Prasert Tanpibulsak, Chairman of SYY, together with numerous dealers from all over the Asia-Pacific region, opened the almost 2000 m² training center, which is in the Thai province of Chumphon, in the southern part of the country.  It has a training area, several conference rooms, fully equipped workshops and a service area with an integrated Linglong brand shop to provide dealers and workshop staff with comprehensive and professional information and training in theory and practice. In the service area, everyday workshop life is simulated, and training courses are possible, for example, in the areas of tyre fitting, balancing and wheel alignment, but training is also provided in the sale and maintenance of accessories such as batteries, brake pads, engine oil, shock absorbers and rims.

In his speech, Xu Yongchao, Vice President of Linglong Tire, said, “The training center developed jointly with SYY is a critical building block for Linglong’s strategic expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. Our goal is to use this platform to establish service standards and standardised training for service providers and dealers to improve their service and competitiveness in the market. In addition, we look forward to introducing our premium Linglong brand and Linglong’s latest and greatest products to many consumers.”

SYY Chairman  Prasert Tanpibulsak: “As a globally renowned tire brand, Linglong Tire has long been known for its product quality and outstanding service. We are pleased to partner with Linglong to set up this premium training centre. We are confident that this platform will enable our channel partners to serve consumers even more professionally and better and drive Linglong’s sustainable growth in the Thai market together.”

This expansion follows Linglong Tire’s commitment to strengthening its international presence and providing localised support to its growing global customer base.

Continental is running a promotional offer from 1 May to 31 May 2025 in which customers who purchase four Continental ExtremeContact Sport02 tyres will receive a USD 110 Continental Tire Prepaid Mastercard. Additionally, customers who pay for the four ExtremeContact Sport02 tyres using their Continental Tire Credit Card will earn an extra USD 90 Prepaid Mastercard, for a total refund of USD 200.

The ExtremeContact Sport02 is a ultra-high-performance tyre designed for passenger cars. With its SportPlus Technology, which offers quick handling, improved traction on wet roads and a prolonged tread life, this tyre is perfect for both the street and the racetrack. There are 77 sizes of the tyre available, with rim diameters ranging from 15 to 21 inches. The industry-leading coverage offered by Continental Tire's Total Confidence Plan supports the ExtremeContact Sport02.

This is a complete package that includes road hazard coverage, emergency travel interruption coverage, a customer satisfaction trial, a limited warranty, flat tyre roadside assistance and a mileage warranty (if applicable). During a road trip, Continental will assist with qualified expenditures in the event of a mechanical breakdown (maximum benefit of USD 200.00 per day, with a maximum benefit of USD 500.00 per year). In order to qualify for the deal, tyres need to be bought all at once. Only valid between 1 May 2025 and 31 May 2025, or while supplies last, with a qualifying purchase made in the 50 United States, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

Leading tyre manufacturer JK Tyre & Industries Ltd launched its ‘JK Tyre Steel Wheels’ in Farrukhnagar, Haryana, as part of its targeted expansion into rural India, focusing on places with a population of 100,000 or less.

The centre displays the whole line of JK Tyre products across all segments and is intended to serve as a one-stop shop for all tyre-related requirements. Best-in-market prices, industry-leading warranties and value-added services like wheel balance and tyre replacement are all available to customers. Notably, the business also provides non-truck tyres with a fast claim service. This retail growth is in line with JK Tyre's strategy goal of enhancing its last-mile presence and meeting the rapidly increasing demand in India's rural and semi-urban areas.

Over the following three months, the rural expansion initiative will be implemented in Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Haryana. Later this year, the programme will be expanded with a national rollout. Through strategic partnerships, JK Tyre is enabling local businesses to oversee and expand these centres in their areas as part of the rollout. These partnerships provide prospective entrepreneurs a chance to connect with JK Tyre's wide nationwide distribution network, encouraging independence, generating jobs locally and stimulating economic progress at the local level.

Anshuman Singhania, Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd., said, "Our Rural expansion programme will help us to reach the interiors of the real Bharat that are economically vibrant but often under-served. We are not just building retail points; we are also enabling entrepreneurship and access. These centres will offer our full range of tyres and will act as vital touchpoints for our brand, delivering consistency, convenience and confidence to a fast-rising consumer base across India’s heartland.”

German tyre major Continental will shut down its tyre manufacturing plant in Alor Setar, Malaysia, by the end of 2025, affecting 950 workers.

The facility, which produces passenger cars, light truck tyres for the Asia Pacific market, and motorcycle tyres, has been operational since December 1979 and became a fully owned Continental subsidiary in May 2012.

Continental said the closure followed a comprehensive business review to safeguard its competitiveness in the Asia Pacific region. The company plans to optimise its product portfolio and manufacturing footprint in response to changing customer demand.

Despite the closure, the German tyre maker emphasised that Malaysia remains a key market in its Asia Pacific operations.

Continental will support affected employees, including career counselling, and help them find potential employment opportunities both within and outside the company, according to the statement.

The 133,000-square-metre manufacturing site is one of six Continental tyre plants in the Asia Pacific region. The company will continue to operate facilities in Hefei, China; Rayong, Thailand; Modipuram, India; Kalutara, Sri Lanka; and Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

NEXEN TIRE, the global tyre manufacturer, has reported exceptional financial performance for the first quarter of 2025, with revenues climbing to KRW 771.2 billion and operating profit reaching KRW 40.7 billion. The results represent a 13.7 percent year-on-year increase, setting a new quarterly record for the company and surpassing market expectations.

The South Korean tyre maker's strong showing comes despite ongoing industry challenges, with the company leveraging expanded production capacity and a focus on premium products to drive growth. The Czech plant's phase 2 expansion has significantly boosted output volumes, while increasing demand for larger 18-inch and above tyres has enhanced profit margins.

European operations emerged as the standout performer, generating KRW 316.5 billion in revenue—approximately 41 percent of NEXEN's global sales. The region has benefited from stable replacement tyre demand since late last year, with particular strength in seasonal products including winter and all-weather offerings.

"Despite continued exchange rate swings and uncertainties surrounding tariff policies, our long-term efforts in capacity expansion and brand building are now bearing fruit, allowing us to continue growing," said Travis Kang, Global CEO of NEXEN TIRE.

NEXEN's strategic supply of original equipment tyres to premium European automakers since 2016 has enhanced brand recognition, driving subsequent replacement tyre sales. Meanwhile, normalising freight rates have returned to comparable levels with the same quarter last year, helping reduce the company's freight-to-sales ratio despite persistently high raw material costs.

Looking ahead, the company plans to implement region-specific strategies to navigate economic volatility. In Europe, growth will centre around increased volume and expanded capacity, while the US operation will adopt flexible approaches to counter tariff measures. The Asia-Pacific region, particularly Japan and Australia, will see customer diversification efforts and enhanced local distribution.

NEXEN is also advancing a unified product strategy for both electric and conventional internal combustion vehicles, utilising artificial intelligence and virtual reality in its development processes. Recent in-house testing has validated the superior performance of its tyres across critical metrics including braking, noise reduction and ride comfort.

Kang added, "We will continue to strengthen our worldwide competitiveness by developing customer-focused product strategies and region-specific techniques."