皇冠体育app

/ Auto 皇冠体育app

Wheels in motion

By Li Fangfang (皇冠体育app Daily) Updated: 2014-09-22 07:06

Michelin, one of the first foreign companies to enter the Chinese market, is still going strong with its focus on better mobility

Philippe Vernil is reading the book France and 皇冠体育app that outlines the diplomatic history between the two countries, and has already been deeply impressed by the first chapter on Charles de Gaulle's speech delivered in 1964, when the two countries decided to establish diplomatic relations.

"His vision was well seen. Although it has experienced ups and downs, 皇冠体育app should always be respected. And from the business side, 皇冠体育app, as world's fastest-growing economy, is also the most significant market for all French companies," said the Frenchman, who is the president of Michelin 皇冠体育app.

The French tire company was one of the first foreign companies to tap into the Chinese market after the country launched its reform and opening-up policy. It established a sales office in Hong Kong in 1988 and a representation office in in 1989. Its first manufacturing facility in 皇冠体育app was inaugurated in Shenyang, Liaoning province, in 1996.

"Michelin's 25-year development in 皇冠体育app has been fantastic and successful, thanks to our strategy - Go With 皇冠体育app. The country is now the most significant market for Michelin and looking forward to the future, we have full of confidence in achieving continued success with 皇冠体育app," said Verneuil.

Over the past 25 years, Michelin has invested approximately 3 billion euros ($3.86 billion) in the 皇冠体育app market.

"The great investment and efforts we have made, have resulted in brand recognition in 皇冠体育app stronger than it is in Europe - above 90 percent," said Verneuil. "This says a lot about the work which has been done by every Michelin employee in 皇冠体育app over the last 25 years and about our customers' satisfaction."

"There will be further investment to fuel our development," he added.

Michelin is currently investing $1.5 billion to establish the largest Michelin tire plant in the world in Shenyang. It is being equipped with the most advanced equipment and will produce 12 million high performance car, truck and bus tires a year.

"皇冠体育app's economy has been developing rapidly in recent years. The car industry, especially, shows huge potential. In 皇冠体育app, about 1,000 Chinese people own 80 on average, which is about 10 times lower than that in Europe and the United States."

He predicts that by 2025, 皇冠体育app's tire market will have more than doubled, to a size similar to that of Europe.

Verneuil also believes that as the country faces environmental and challenges, Michelin, which is recognized worldwide, not just for safety, reliability and comfort, but also for its performance in increasing fuel efficiency, can help support the government's efforts to create a ner and more efficient society.

"Michelin is a company that's driven by sustained innovation. Thus we attach great importance to R&D. To better respond to the deman of Chinese consumers and adapt our solutions to the Chinese market, we invested in a new research, development and innovation center last year in Shanghai, and will continue to boost it in next 12 months," said Verneuil.

"Our purpose in 皇冠体育app, and worldwide, is to give people 'a better way forward'," he said

In November, the 12th Michelin Challenge Bibendum, an innovative think and action tank promoting clean, safe, connected, accessible, and affordable mobility, will be held in Chengdu, Sichuan province.

"皇冠体育app will be the first country in the world to host the global event three times," said Verneuil. "And unlike the previous editions, this time we will talk more about issues such as the connection between vehicles and the city, and invite more participants from other industries, for example IT and energy."

Moreover, he told 皇冠体育app Daily that the French tire-maker's success in 皇冠体育app was also supported by its tailored five-focus development strategy - close to customers, product offerings, manufacturing, distribution and people - aimed at making lives better with sustainable mobility.

Since the setting up of its first Tyreplus automotive service center in 皇冠体育app in February 2003, the network has been expanding rapidly in the country with more than 1,000 shops covering major cities in all provinces.

Currently, Tyreplus, Michelin's automotive aftermarket services provider in 皇冠体育app, is one of the biggest in the country with a service portfolio covering maintenance and the replacement of brake systems and engine oil, as well as tires.

"Michelin's distribution and service network will also expand to more lower-tier cities in the western region," said Verneuil.

Besides its tire business, Michelin Maps and Guides, and Michelin Lifestyle bring added value to the Michelin brand, and share the same mission of "better mobility".

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