By Liz White, ERJ staff
Nokia, Finland-Nokian Tyres plc has found a Chinese partner to make Nokian-brand passenger car tyres under contract, starting October 2004.
Nokian has signed Giti Tire (China) to contract-manufacture the tyres in its factories in China. The Finnish winter tyre expert described Giti Tire as “the biggest producer and market leader in tyres in China.â€
Initially the Chinese tyre manufacturer will make Nokian brand summer tyres, mainly for the North American market. Following the start-up of the venture later this year, Nokian's target is for Giti to make half a million tyres in 2005, and gradually increase the volume up to 1.5 million tyres a year, the firm's statement said.
