2013

DUNLOP CELEBRATES 6TH WIN IN ASK AFRICA ICON BRANDS SURVEY

Tuesday, 28 August 2018

Dunlop Tyres SA

"The Dunlop tyre brand, which celebrates its 130th anniversary this year, has added to its list of accolades, by winning the tyres category in the 2017/2018 Ask Afrika Icon Brands Survey. This is Dunlop’s sixth win in this category since 2011 and attests to the South African public’s loyal support of this most iconic and recognisable international tyre brand. "

Yvette Govender, Director of Marketing and Business Development of Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (Pty) Ltd (SRSA).

The Dunlop tyre brand, which celebrates its 130th anniversary this year, has added to its list of accolades, by winning the tyres category in the 2017/2018 Ask Afrika Icon Brands Survey. This is Dunlop’s sixth win in this category since 2011 and attests to the South African public’s loyal support of this most iconic and recognisable international tyre brand.

The Ask Afrika Icon Brands Survey, run by Target Group Index Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd, surveyed over 30 000 consumers representing nearly 25 million adult South African consumers.

Speaking of the latest accomplishment, Yvette Govender, Director Marketing and Business Development at, Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (Pty) Ltd (SRSA), manufactures of the popular Dunlop brand said: “We are delighted that despite the prevailing tough economic conditions, Dunlop consumers have remained loyal to the brand.”

“Dunlop remains strongly focused on customers and delivering quality products, backed up with excellent service. Clearly, this is paying off in loyalty with South Africans voting for their favourite tyre with their wallets and their hearts,” she added.

Dunlop continues to be at the forefront of developing quality products, setting new motorsport milestones and pioneering ground-breaking innovations, not just in vehicle safety and performance, but in tyre retailing. SRSA’s #SaferThanSafe commitment ensures that its tyre brands always strive to develop products with an emphasis on customer safety and comfort, while pursuing high levels of product quality through stringent manufacturing processes that meet and exceed global standards. Dunlop also encourages consumers to be aware of how fit, size, pressure, tread depth and any damage can impact tyre safety.

SRSA is investing heavily in ensuring that Dunlop produces solutions developed for African conditions and driven by the needs of its customers. In addition to serving independent retailers, Dunlop’s retail concepts are designed to satisfy every sector of the market. Dunlop is also establishing a foothold in the Original Equipment (OE) market, with achievements including the selection of the Dunlop Grandtrek AT25 as the OE tyre for the Toyota Hilux Black Edition and Toyota Fortuner 18-inch derivatives, and the Grandtrek AT1 radial tyre which has been an Original Equipment specification on selected Toyota Landcruiser 70 Series models. The Dunlop brand has a legacy of OEM fitment for some of the world’s leading motor vehicle, truck and bus manufacturers and transport operators.

Recent new Dunlop tyre innovations in the 4x4 and sport utility vehicle (SUV) market include the no-nonsense, all-terrain Grandtrek AT3G tyre, which was launched as an enhancement of the legendary Grandtrek AT1, while in the passenger market the new SP Sport FM800 is changing the face of the brand’s passenger tyre range.

To support growing demand for high-quality passenger and SUV tyres, as well as truck and bus tyres, SRSA has since 2014 been progressing with a multi-billion-rand investment into its Ladysmith manufacturing plant. The second phase – the state-of-the-art truck and bus radial (TBR) tyre manufacturing plant - will be launched in October 2018.

The factory expansion is enabling Dunlop to continue its history of innovation and its proven pedigree in the tyre business, with the added advantages of Japanese technology and the backing of the world’s fifth largest tyre producer – Sumitomo Rubber Industries (Pty) Ltd (SRI). SRI acquired its South African tyre manufacturing plant in December 2013 and assumed control of the Dunlop brand rights for the whole of Africa.

Earlier this year SRSA was also recognised for its business excellence in the categories of Investor of the Year and Enterprise Development Programme of the Year at the 5th Annual South African Premier Business Awards in January, hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).