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Tyre distributor targets higher market share
A local Bridgestone tyre distributor, KP Company Limited, this year plans to increase its sales by 25 percent and open more dealers in Vientiane and the northern provinces.
The company expects to supply 72,000 tyres this year, up from over 40,000 tyres last year.
“We supplied just over 30,000 tyres in 2009,” company representative Mr. Pasatxay Philaphandeth said during an interview at an annual policy declaration and dealer and fleet seminar on Saturday.
Last year's sales included a 5-7 percent market share of large sized tyres and a 26 percent market share for tyres of other sizes.
The company imports tyres from Indonesia, Japan and Thailand, with demand increasing every year due to the growth of vehicle sales in Laos.
The company plans to open two additional dealerships in Vientiane and many units in the northern provinces in the near future, including Luang Prabang. “We are currently undertaking a study of the Luang Prabang market,” he said.
The company presently has 14 dealers, including five in Vientiane and others in the provinces of Champassak, Savannakhet, Khammuan, Borikhamxay, Oudomxay, Luang Namtha and Xieng Khuang.
But the company also has several competitors, mainly Michelin and Goodyear, and many other tyre brands from China.
A company dealer in Nongsanokham village, Sikhottabong District, said her shop sells many brands of tyres, including Michelin and Bridgestone.
She said Bridgestone currently dominates at about 10,000 tyres per year, followed by Goodyear.
Another Vientiane dealer in Thatluang village, Xaysettha district, said that 90 percent of the tyres offered at her shop are Bridgestone, followed by Maxxis, Michelin and Goodyear.
vientiane times
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