Bridgestone China Names Kuroki Minoru to Lead Premium PCR Push

Bridgestone China has appointed Kuroki Minoru as managing director, succeeding Zhao Laihong. The late-August change aligns with the company’s focus on higher-margin, high-end passenger car radial (PCR) tyres in China’s evolving market. Kuroki brings nearly four decades of global tyre industry experience across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Russia, including prior postings in Guangzhou and Beijing.

With China’s tyre demand tilting toward low-rolling-resistance, quiet, EV-ready fitments, Bridgestone China is prioritising premium PCR for both original equipment (OE) and high-end replacement. The appointment follows Bridgestone’s exit from China’s truck and bus radial (TBR) manufacturing and the sale of the Shenyang plant, moves that cleared the decks for a passenger-car-led strategy.

Track record and remit

Kuroki joined Bridgestone in 1989 and has held international roles spanning tyre sales, specialty tyres and solutions. Recent responsibilities included senior business leadership across EMIA and G-MICA, experience seen as relevant to premium PCR growth and solution-oriented service in China’s OE and replacement channels.

Market backdrop in China

China’s passenger car mix is shifting toward EVs and larger vehicles, raising demand for tyres that balance efficiency, noise and durability. Mid- and low-tier segments remain price-intense, pushing premium brands to compete on technology and lifecycle value rather than price. Recent Tyre News analysis shows China’s market acting as a relative stabiliser as OE softness persists in Europe and North America.

Policy and procurement context

China has updated tyre CCC certification rules in 2025, refining test parameters and type-approval methods—relevant to OE programmes and distributors planning 2026 line-ups. This regulatory clarity supports high-spec tyres aimed at EV and performance applications. See Tyre News coverage of China’s updated CCC tyre certification rules for specifics.

How this fits recent Bridgestone China decisions

• Portfolio reset: Bridgestone’s sale of the Shenyang TBR plant to Sailun and withdrawal from domestic TBR marked a pivot to premium passenger products.
• Focus on value: Emphasis now sits on OE fitments and high-end replacement tyres, where brand, compound technology and rolling-resistance credentials drive margins.

‍

‍

‍

Tagged with:
Bridgestone China, managing director, premium PCR tyres, high-end passenger car tyres, OE fitments, replacement market, China tyre market, leadership change, EV tyres, tyre regulations, CCC certification

‍