Tire sales to jump by 40%

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's total automotive tire sales will increase by about 40 percent to 7.8 million tires this year from 5.5 million last year, according a major tire producer's estimate.

Kenzi Shoda, sales manager at PT Bridgestone Tire Indonesia, said here over the weekend that the higher sales were in line with the recovery in the country's car market.

He estimated that an increase in domestic car sales would further increase tire sales next year.

Bridgestone, which suffered an 80 percent decline in tire sales to local car manufacturers in 1998, expects its sales to recover next year, he said at the launch of the company's new product.

Bridgestone, one of three major tire producers, introduced its Potenza RE711 series 60 radial tire, saying it expects to sell 400,000 annually to local car assemblers. (06)