Trade commission finds Chinese manufacturers circumventing duties through "country hopping"

South Africa's trade regulator has imposed provisional anti-dumping measures on pneumatic tyres imported from Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, determining that Chinese manufacturers are circumventing existing duties through these countries.

The International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) announced the six-month provisional measures following a preliminary investigation into allegations of "country hopping" - where exporters route products through third countries to avoid anti-dumping duties.

The investigation was initiated after the South African Tyre Manufacturing Conference (SATMC) filed a complaint alleging that Chinese tyre manufacturers were bypassing anti-dumping measures on new pneumatic tyres used on motor cars, bakkies, buses, small pick-up trucks and lorries.

ITAC's preliminary determination identified several companies as circumventing the original duties: Sentury Thailand, Huayi Group Thailand, Prinx Chengshan Thailand, Linglong Thailand, General Rubber Thailand, and Sailun Vietnam.

However, the commission excluded Vietnam Cofo, Firemax Cambodia, and Haohua Cambodia from the anti-circumvention review investigation.

The regulator found that the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) industry "is experiencing material injury and a threat of material injury" as a result of the circumvention practices.

SATMC represents the official industry body for local tyre manufacturers Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, and Sumitomo, which together account for 100% of domestic production volumes in the SACU region.

The provisional measures will remain in place pending the finalisation of the anti-circumvention investigation into tyres originating from or imported through the three Southeast Asian countries.

Circumvention refers to actions taken by exporters to bypass anti-dumping duties that have been legally imposed to address unfair trade practices, according to ITAC's definition.

The move highlights ongoing trade tensions between South Africa and Asian tyre manufacturers, as the domestic industry seeks protection against what it considers unfair competition.

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Webfleet, Bridgestone’s advanced fleet management solution, has closed a strategic agreement with Volkswagen Group Info Services AG. The collaboration leverages OEM.connect, the company’s original-equipment telematics programme, to erase the need for physical device installations across Volkswagen Group brands. Operators running Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Škoda, Seat, Cupra or Audi models can now channel real-time machine data straight into the Webfleet ecosystem.

Once a compatible vehicle’s identification number is registered, the system activates full-service functionality in under an hour. This digital-first approach accelerates fleet onboarding while unlocking analytics that drive cost reduction, operational refinement and eco-friendly driving habits. Crucially, the interface does not discriminate by brand mix, granting unified oversight of diverse fleets through a single dashboard or companion application, regardless of whether units come from one marque or several manufacturers.

Among the practical tools now available to European customers are fuel-level surveillance, electric-battery tracking for range assurance, granular performance dashboards and early-warning mechanical alerts to curb unplanned stoppages. Every feature is accessible across the continent, giving mixed and single-brand fleets equal command over their daily logistics without legacy hardware barriers.

Jan-Maarten de Vries, President – Fleet Management Solutions, Bridgestone, said, “We always aim to make connecting vehicles to Webfleet as quick and easy as possible. Adding six Volkswagen Group brands to OEM.connect serves that goal perfectly. Fleet operators get immediate access to valuable data that helps them optimise their operations. This collaboration represents an important step in expanding our OEM.connect ecosystem, enabling fleets to adopt connected services faster and with less complexity.”

Lasse Schmidt van Hülst, Lead Sales & Key Account Management, Volkswagen Group Info Services AG, said, “Combining our vehicle data with Webfleet’s advanced fleet solutions supports the continued development of connected fleet services across Europe. By making vehicle data available through trusted partners, we are helping fleet operators improve performance while ensuring secure and compliant data use.”

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Pirelli has finalised its gravel tyre lineup with the debut of the CINTURATO Gravel RH and CINTURATO Gravel RM, manufactured at the Milan-Bollate plant using FSC-certified natural rubber. These additions arrive as gravel cycling evolves towards faster racing, rougher courses and heightened performance expectations from riders. The ‘R’ designation signals a race-focused philosophy, while the ‘H’ and ‘M’ suffixes align with Pirelli's existing off-road naming system, indicating suitability for hard-packed or mixed terrain, respectively.

The company leveraged its motorsport pedigree and cross-country mountain biking expertise to engineer both tyres, which are positioned within the High-Performance Line. This premium category represents the pinnacle of Pirelli's gravel technology, with all design and production occurring in Italy. The HP-Line distinguishes itself through advanced materials and manufacturing methods, setting a new benchmark for the brand's gravel offerings.

For hard-packed surfaces where speed and efficiency reign supreme, the CINTURATO Gravel RH employs a tread design featuring a smooth centre section to maximise rolling efficiency on tarmac and compact gravel, while aggressive shoulder knobs deliver precise cornering grip. Its 120 TPI ProWALL casing, borrowed from XC racing, enhances ride feel and puncture defence. Internal testing has recorded a 17 percent decrease in rolling resistance compared to the previous Performance Line tyre, establishing it as one of the fastest options in Pirelli's gravel range.

Conversely, the CINTURATO Gravel RM caters to riders navigating a mixture of fast sections and technical terrain, offering a balanced compromise between traction and rolling economy. Its familiar tread pattern, previously known as RC, ensures cornering stability and dependable braking and acceleration on loose surfaces. With the same robust casing and sizes extending up to 700 x 55 mm, the RM serves as a singular solution for varied gravel races, maintaining a smooth and controlled ride. Pirelli's tests indicate a 20 percent improvement in rolling resistance over the Performance Line counterpart.

Both tyres incorporate the newly developed SmartEVO GR compound, tailored specifically for high-performance gravel applications. This formulation aims to reconcile low rolling resistance with trustworthy grip across wet and dry conditions, enabling riders to balance speed and control effectively. The complete range now spans from pure racing scenarios to adventure riding, covering everything from high-speed hardpack routes to muddy and technically demanding trails.

The portfolio is divided into the HP-Line for uncompromising performance and the P-Line, which utilises 60 TPI casings and SpeedGRIP compound for versatile all-round use. The CINTURATO Gravel RH and RM are currently available online and at select retailers, with the HP-Line offered in four sidewall finishes including a new Team Edition with yellow Racing labels. Sizes range from 700 x 40 mm to 700 x 55 mm, representing one of the most extensive size selections in the gravel market.

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Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) has been honoured with the ‘Highest Revenue Business – Southern Region’ award at the Prachachat Business Awards 2026. The recognition, presented during a ceremony at Paragon Hall in Bangkok on 28 May 2026, is based on performance metrics and tax contributions evaluated by Prachachat Business News, the Department of Business Development and Creden Asia Company.

This accolade underscores STA’s pivotal role in advancing Thailand’s natural rubber sector and its dedication to sustainable, stable growth. The company continues to enhance competitiveness and operational efficiency while generating value for stakeholders, including farmers, partners, employees and investors. Amid global industry shifts, STA is committed to raising domestic rubber standards and strengthening its international market position.

The organisation prioritises responsible supply chain management, transparency and strong corporate governance. By integrating digital platforms and artificial intelligence, STA is modernising data connectivity across its operations, facilitating the industry’s transformation into the digital age and ensuring long-term resilience.

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Doublestar Tire showcased its European-market product portfolio at The Tire Cologne 2026, held in Germany from 9 to 11 June. The international exposition drew specialists from more than 100 countries and served as a venue for presenting sector-wide progress in sustainable manufacturing, intelligent production systems, and advanced material science. For Chinese tyre makers, the fair represents a strategic avenue into the European arena, and the company used this opportunity to reinforce its commercial momentum within the region.

Visitor interest at the manufacturer's stand remained high throughout the event, with many industry peers examining the aesthetic qualities and technical specifications of the displayed items. Product offerings fell into two principal categories, heavy-duty solutions and light-vehicle tyres, each engineered to satisfy distinct operational demands prevalent across European roads.

Among the commercial range, the DLD816 all-weather tyre emerged as a notable entry for extended haulage operations. Its construction incorporates cold-weather features and a reformulated rubber layer that extends operational lifespan, while closely spaced tread patterns furnish dependable grip under varied climatic circumstances. Stopping distance reductions on frozen surfaces received particular attention from logistics professionals.

The passenger side featured the DSU08 summer variant, which employs refined dynamic control architecture to harmonise acoustic comfort with responsive steering and durable construction. With a newly operational production facility in Cambodia complementing its European launch, the enterprise continues to cultivate its overseas standing through sustained client engagement and incremental market development.

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