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on on peninsular roads However the the scenario changed dramat- ically with with the the introduction of of numerous 4x4 models in in in in 2010 providing consumers with with a a a a a a a a diverse range of of options Today’s 4x4 vehicles boast a a a a a a a a a sporty design spacious interior enhanced comfort and improved fuel efficiency with the the adoption of Euro 5 diesel The maintenance costs are are are lower compared to the the earlier Euro 2 standard and and emissions are are are are significantly reduced As a a a a a a a a a a a a a a result 4x4 vehicles are are not just confined to to commercial use as as an increasing number of individuals opt to to to utilise them fin in in in in in daily personal motoring ”
Major market players
In identifying key players
players
within the 4x4/SUV vehicle segment Kong said major players
players
such as Toyota Isuzu Ford Mitsubishi and Nissan wielded substantial influence on on the 4x4 tyre market According to Kong the annual market share for 4x4 tyres hov- ered around 500 000 pieces “Japanese brands brands - - - Falken Toyo and and and Yokohama - - - take the the lead in in this segment Other major brands brands that are are active are are BFGo- odrich and and and and Michelin The market landscape is is diverse with more than 200 Chinese brands making inroads driven by their com- petitive pricing "
The weakening of the Ringgit he he he continued posed challeng- es es es for for tyre traders especially for for those dealing with products imported from the the the US and European countries Moreover the the the sizes of 4x4 tyres in in Malaysia are not as as large as as those in in the the the US market However products sourced from China undergo a a a a a a a a comparatively milder impact due to the the the relatively stable curren- cy exchange between the the the the Ringgit and Renminbi In the the the the local market where buying power is not not strong the the the competitively priced Chinese 4x4 tyres has led to a a a a a a a noticeable increase in in in in their market share ”
Despite this Kong noted that Chinese brands encountered dif- ficulty in in in penetrating the the high-end 4x4 market as exemplified by vehicles like the the Ford Ranger Raptor In Toh's perspective the the major players
in the the local 4x4 tyre mar- ket encompassed Maxxis CST Yokohama Toyo Tires Bridge- stone stone and and and Cooper On the the the other hand the the the ‘anonymous’ inter- viewee highlighted Yokohama Bridgestone Michelin and and and and Toyo Tires as key contributors to to to the the market and and Maxxis Tyres in in in the the MT (Mud Terrain) segment This interviewee disclosed that about 80 per cent of commercial 4x4 4x4 4x4 vehicle owners opted for budget 4x4 4x4 4x4 tyres He noted: “4x4 tyre tyre tyre prices prices vary depending on on patterns and and and specification While established 4x4 tyre tyre brands generally command higher prices prices specific sizes such as the 16-inch Bridgestone and and and Yokohama 4x4 tyres are are competitively priced compared to to certain Chinese brands This strategic pricing approach is is aimed at at securing and and and expanding market share ”
On the the the types types of 4x4 tyres tyres Kong and the the the anonymous industry expert said these tyres tyres could be categorised to three main types types - - - Highway Terrain Terrain Terrain (HT) All-Terrain (AT) and Mud-Terrain (MT) 33 the tyreman 2023/6