January 3, 2001 Kenda Rubber Industrial Co., Ltd., a leading Taiwan producer of tires for bicycles, motorcycles and industrial purposes, recently reported that the construction of its new plant in Kunshan, mainland China is in the third stage of the development process. The trial production of radial tires is currently underway, confirmed a company spokesperson. However, commercial production of the tires will only take place when testing has been completed and "everything has settled down", the spokesperson added. The Taiwan sales agent of Cooper, an American tire manufacturer, Kenda is using its own technology to produce the radial tires, with some assistance from its long-term cooperation with Cooper. Although it has been reported that the two companies may expand their collaboration to set up a car tire manufacturing joint venture in mainland China, the spokesperson would only confirm that this matter has not yet gone further than the discussion stages. Other local manufacturers of radial tires include Nankang Rubber Tire Corp., Cheng Shin Rubber Industrial Co. and Federal Corp. (back to top) |