Despite only being introduced in Malaysia last year, General Tire, a new brand under the Continental Tyres Malaysia umbrella, is now already strengthening its commitment to our market and the wider Asia Pacific region with an expansion of the company’s Rayong manufacturing plant in Thailand.
The new Phase Two expansion will increase the plant’s production capacity by an additional three million passenger car and light truck tyres per year, helping Continental and General Tire cater to increased demand for their tyres in the Asia Pacific region.
Built at an investment of over EUR300 million (approx. RM1.4 billion), the new plant heavily utilises robotics and automation to ensure high production throughput and consistent quality. At the same time, the expansion will also create 600 additional jobs, driving sustainable local economic growth around the Rayong vicinity.
“The continued strengthening of our regional production network reflects our long-term commitment to meeting the evolving needs of drivers across Asia Pacific,” said Continental’s Managing Director of Malaysia and Head of ASEAN, Andrea Somorova. “General Tire plays a key role in expanding our portfolio in Malaysia and the wider region, as we continue to provide dependable solutions that cater to diverse driving needs and empower consumers to make smarter choices.”
Building on its heritage in the SUV and 4×4 tyre segments, General Tire is now expanding into the passenger car segment with a dedicated focus on Asia Pacific markets, taking advantage of its parent company’s engineering expertise.
Here in Malaysia, the brand’s offerings now include the Grabber HT6 and Grabber AT6 for SUV and pick-up truck applications, as well as the AltiMAX GC5 and GS6 for sedans and smaller vehicles. The former two were sampled during our trip to the plant’s inauguration last week, and displayed impressive noise suppression and comfort performance, while remaining confident in the wet – even on Thailand’s concrete roads. (Stay tuned to our social media channels for our video on the two tyres!)
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The introduction of General Tire in Malaysia is part of Continental’s broader strategy to grow its market leadership here by expanding its tyre portfolio across all segments. Continental will remain as the premium brand, with a focus on advanced technology, performance, safety, and comfort, General Tire will offer consumers a more value-driven alternative centred around durability and versatility.
Both brands are also covered by Continental’s Total Confidence Plan (TCP) and Tyre Lifetime Manufacturing Warranty, giving Malaysian customers extra peace of mind on the roads.
Continental Tyre Malaysia has said that it will continue to expand its product offerings in Malaysia, bringing new tyres designed to meet the diverse driving needs and road conditions of Malaysian motorists. For now, you can find Continental and General Tire rubbers at authorised dealers nationwide, as well as their official stores on Shopee, TNG eWallet, TikTok, and Lazada.
