Tag: tire brand

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Tire manufacturer brand Continental Tyre in Malaysia has appointed Andrea Somorova as its managing director for its Malaysian operations. Somorova previously served the local branch as its plant operations manager for almost six years.

A native of Slovakia, Somorova joins from Continental of Taiwan where she was general manager. She has been at Continental Group for over 23 years, of which 18 years were spent in Asia. She started her career with Continental Group in 1999 in Slovakia and then moved on to Continental in Germany before assuming managerial roles in Asia including in Malaysia, and other APAC markets.

While in Taiwan, Somorova steered Continental to achieve brand awareness among its Asia Pacific markets. She also led the team through one of its most challenging periods during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Somorova takes over from Samir Gupta who now oversees the India Operations while continuing to head the Central Asia Region Passenger and Light Truck Tires Replacement Business (PLT RE) at Continental.

Speaking about her appointment, Somorova said, “I am very excited to return to Malaysia and build on the work done previously. I look forward to guiding Continental Tyre Malaysia on its growth trajectory working closely with our teams on the ground to deliver innovative tyre solutions to our passenger and commercial vehicle customers. I always welcome new ideas from my team and believe that empowering them through trust, collaboration, and clear communication works best to deliver on our shared goals.”

Meanwhile, Gupta commented, “Her vast knowledge in the region and her familiarity with the Malaysian market will complement the amazing team in Malaysia who I’ve had the privilege to work with over the past two years.”

India – Tyre manufacturer Bridgestone, its India arm, has released a sentimental ad, which walks viewers through the journey of one of the front liners during the pandemic – the drivers on the road.

India imposed its first nationwide lockdown in March, and just like most regions, essential workers, such as those whose line of work involves driving trucks and PUVs, are left with no choice but to continue plying the road amid the virus threat. 

The ad revolves around one driver’s perspective who opens the scene, thinking, “I have been driving trucks for years now, but for the first time today, I am scared.”

The ad shows how, more than the virus itself, other challenges are battled out by essential workers such as isolation and the scarcity of basic needs such as food during the height of the lockdown. 

“Since everything is shut now, I have to cook by myself, and sleep in my truck,” the driver narrates. 

Throughout the ad, the driver delivers moving realizations on the pandemic.  

“These days, every mile brings in a new challenge, and everyone is scared to help,” he said. 

He further goes, “To defeat this pandemic, it is important that we win these small battles every day.”

The 140-second spot, which was released in mid-November, has already gained massive traction, with views on YouTube currently at 8M. 

One user said, “I got goosebumps ??❤️?? respect ????” 

Another one commented, “Great thought. Great [film] making, [not] an [ad], it’s a documentary of a century…”

Through the release of the ad, Bridgestone also wants to assert its commitment to customers as a helpful aid during the pandemic, where in the video, the man is shown being given one of Bridgestone’s life-saving kits.

Since the imposition of India’s lockdown, the tyre company has implemented a number of assistance programs such as the sanitation of truck fleets across 22 cities and the distribution of  life-saving kits to truck drivers. In addition, it has also donated health essentials such as PPEs, masks, and meals to doctors and households.

The brand said on its Facebook, “The coronavirus pandemic paused our day-to-day life with a nationwide lockdown. While some of us had the liberty to stay at home, others had to keep driving through. Witness the journey and the triumph of our “Heroes on the Road” and how Bridgestone extended the support to protect them with a sanitization drive of their vehicles in order to serve our nation.”