Linglong Tire has secured original-equipment (OE) status on Volkswagen’s third-generation Tiguan, a key contract that underlines the Chinese manufacturer’s growing European footprint and R&D capability. The factory-fitted tyre is a 255/45 R19 100V Ultra-High Performance pattern bearing Volkswagen’s “+” sidewall mark, signifying compliance with the car maker’s internal performance criteria.
Volkswagen’s decision means every Tiguan built at the Wolfsburg plant will leave the line on Linglong rubber. Development work, carried out at Linglong’s European Development Centre in Hanover, focused on ride comfort, wet and dry handling, mileage and rolling resistance. According to Linglong, engineers collaborated closely with Volkswagen throughout the validation process.
Prototypes underwent evaluation at IDIADA (Spain), UTAC Ivalo (Finland) and on Linglong’s own proving ground in Asia before final sign-off. All compounds were formulated by a team of ex-premium-brand chemists and tyre engineers based in Germany.
Linglong operates the first Chinese-owned tyre plant in Europe, located in Zrenjanin, Serbia, and says capacity there will support future OE programmes. The Tiguan contract strengthens the brand’s position in Germany and signals growing acceptance of Chinese tyres by mainstream vehicle manufacturers.
Tagged with: Linglong, Volkswagen Tiguan, OE tyre, Sport Master, ADAC tyre test, Auto Bild tyre test, European tyre market
Disclaimer: This content may include forward-looking statements. Views expressed are not verified or endorsed by Tyre News Media.
Sign up for our weekly briefing on key developments across the sector.
