Linglong Tire. The name sounds like a mouthful, but that was not always the case! In fact, Linglong is a young brand compared to other tire manufacturers. However, in just 60 years they have made their mark on the industry and are now one of the top-selling brands in China!
A brief history of how this company came to exist and some of its more recent milestones:
Linglong’s Origins
The company was founded in 1947 and became a public entity in 1994. They have since seen an increase of sales revenue each year by about 12% on average while their sales volume has nearly doubled within the last decade. In 2000 Linglong purchased Tianjin Rubber Company, another tire manufacturer which is where they produce their low-cost products.
In 2002 the company purchased PT Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian Motors, an Indonesian tire manufacturer which today supplies several markets in Asia with the Linglong brand including Indonesia, India, Japan, and China.
The same year they brought out a new line of budget-conscious tires called “Linglong Green Tire” which is meant to compete with other Chinese tire manufacturers in the market.
The next year they increased their production capacity by 30% with the construction of a new factory specifically for passenger car tires. This was followed up with another 30% increase in 2009 with an additional factory dedicated to light truck and bus tires.
In 2011 they developed their first low rolling resistance “Linglong Ecocirc” (eco-circle) tire line which is meant to be more environmentally friendly.
This same year they brought out their “Linglong Tire for Electric Vehicle” battery-powered car project along with two other companies in China. The goal of this project was to make an affordable option, at least that was the intent for this particular tire brand.
In 2013 Linglong opened an automotive technology center that is specifically meant to research and develop new technologies for their tires. This same year they invested in another tire manufacturer called Shandong Huarun Rubber Co Ltd to broaden their reach within China.
The company name itself may be familiar as it is OEM to some international tire manufacturers including Bridgestone and Pirelli.
Their other primary brands include ‘Long March’, which is produced domestically as well as at their Indonesian plant. Linglong also produces several different lines of tires called “Linglong Gold Fortune” for passenger vehicles, “Linglong Green Tire”, and a budget line called “Linglong Tire for Electric Vehicle”.
The company’s revenue in 2014 came to a little over three billion dollars which is about a 10% increase from the previous year. In 2015 they began to export their products to Australia, New Zealand, and Central America where they have been doing business since 2003.
The next year Linglong Tire Group and several other investors created Linglong Tire International Holdings Ltd. which is used to expand their presence in foreign markets as well as raise about 1.8 billion dollars for future investments.
Linglong Tires Moving Forward
As of today, the company has sales offices in many different countries around the world including locations spanning across Europe and Eastern Asia.
A few of the company’s more interesting innovations include:
- Low rolling resistance “Linglong Ecocirc” (eco-circle) tire line which is meant to be more environmentally friendly.
- Their “Linglong Tire for Electric Vehicle” battery-powered car project along with two other companies in China. The goal of this project was to make an affordable option, at least that was the intent for this particular tire brand.
Oil resistance is also improved through their latest development allowing tires to be driven for up to 100 km (62 miles) even after the car has been submerged in oil. The company also claims that its latest tire line lasts twice as long as other leading brands thanks to their rubber compound.
Their main focus is on marketing and branding along with an increase in production capacity which should help them further expand into new markets.
Competition is particularly fierce in China with several other companies offering similar products at cheaper prices. For example, there are over 200 tire manufacturers throughout the country which makes it difficult to stand out from the crowd.
The company’s dedication to innovation and increasing production capabilities will be critical if they wish to continue their success both domestically and abroad.
While their international presence is currently limited, this has opened up significant room for growth. Investment opportunities in the company’s stock remain generally stable and continue to increase at a steady rate which should garner more interest from foreign investors.
It looks like Linglong Tire Group is doing everything they can to make themselves stand out and improve their brand value while increasing global exposure.
Wrapping Up
Linglong Tire’s brief history is a lesson in how to succeed with perseverance and innovation. With humble beginnings, the company has grown exponentially over the last few decades by always staying one step ahead of its competition through both internal development and external acquisitions.
That same philosophy continues today; they’ve achieved success because they refuse to be complacent or settle for less than excellence. Whether you’re looking for tires, vehicle services like tire balancing and alignment, or car care products including car waxes and polishes-Linglong Tire will work hard to exceed your expectations every time!