Linglong Expands European Van Portfolio With Crosswind And Leao

Linglong Tire is expanding its light commercial vehicle portfolio across its Crosswind and Leao brands, launching two new summer van ranges developed in Europe and manufactured at its Zrenjanin plant in Serbia. The move follows the introduction of the Linglong Dura Master Van and gives the group a broader multi-brand proposition for distributors serving van, LCV and motorhome customers.

Crosswind has introduced the Dura Peak Van, its first summer tyre specifically for vans and light commercial vehicles, while Leao Tire is replacing the Nova-Force Van with the new Nova-Force Van 2. Each range comprises 29 sizes from 12 to 17 inches and is available to order now.

The launches extend a product programme that has developed quickly over the past year. Tyre News Media previously reported on the launch and subsequent European availability of Linglong's Dura Master Van, itself offered in 29 sizes between 12 and 17 inches. Crosswind and Leao therefore give the group parallel summer van propositions across three of its brands rather than leaving the latest LCV development concentrated under the Linglong name.

For tyre wholesalers and retailers, that is arguably more commercially relevant than the addition of two individual patterns. A broader multi-brand portfolio can give distributors more options when positioning products across different customers and channels, although Linglong has not disclosed pricing or detailed how the three ranges will be differentiated commercially.

Mileage And Operating Costs Shape Development

Linglong says both new tyres have been designed around the requirements of vans, light commercial vehicles and motorhomes, with mileage, rolling resistance, load capacity and wet-weather performance among the development priorities.

Wider, optimised tread patterns are intended to reduce wear and extend service life, while a revised tread compound has been developed to lower rolling resistance. The company says a reinforced carcass provides the load capacity required for fully laden vehicles, while new sipe technology combined with an optimised silica compound reduces wet braking distances and improves wet and dry handling.

Those performance statements are manufacturer claims rather than independent comparative test results. Nevertheless, the areas Linglong has prioritised reflect the purchasing criteria that matter particularly strongly in commercial van applications, where tyre life, energy consumption and vehicle availability all contribute to total operating cost.

“With the new Crosswind and Leao van tyres, we are expanding our range in the field of light commercial vehicles and offering a high-performance solution for both businesses and private households,” said Wencheng Liu, Head of Product Management at Linglong Tire.

Liu said the company was seeking to combine mileage, safety and efficiency for customers using their vehicles on a daily basis.

European Development Feeds Three-Brand Portfolio

Both tyres were developed at Linglong's European Development Center in Hanover, with test driving carried out at Idiada in Spain and the group's Sino Asia test facility in China. Production is being concentrated at Linglong's Zrenjanin factory in Serbia.

That mirrors the development and production model used for the Dura Master Van. When European sales of that range began earlier this year, Tyre News Media reported that its development was carried out in Hanover with production in Serbia. The latest launches show that the group's European LCV product development is now being deployed beyond the flagship Linglong brand.

The Serbian manufacturing element is also relevant to European distributors. Linglong has been steadily building a regional footprint combining local manufacturing with European R&D, while the group continues to operate its wider manufacturing and testing network in China. Tyre News Media's recent coverage of Linglong becoming the first Chinese tyre manufacturer to join the Global Data Service Organisation also highlighted the role of Hanover and Zrenjanin in its European operations.

Winter And All-Season Tyres Due By Year-End

The summer launches are not the end of the programme. Linglong says winter and all-season patterns will be introduced for both Crosswind and Leao by the end of 2026, completing their respective van tyre line-ups.

That next stage could be more significant for distributors looking to build year-round LCV programmes around the two brands. All-season tyres in particular can be commercially relevant for van operators seeking to avoid seasonal tyre changes, although suitability ultimately depends on vehicle use, mileage, operating region and fleet requirements.

For now, the immediate development is one of range breadth. With 29 summer sizes under each of Crosswind and Leao alongside the existing Dura Master Van programme, Linglong is extending its European-developed LCV offer across a wider brand portfolio. The planned winter and all-season launches will determine how complete that proposition becomes by the end of the year.

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Tags: Linglong Tire, Crosswind Dura Peak Van, Leao Nova-Force Van 2, van tyres, LCV tyres, light commercial tyres, Serbia tyre production, Zrenjanin tyre factory, European tyre manufacturing, fleet tyres, summer van tyres

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