Chinese tyre manufacturer Linglong is ramping up its global research and development (R&D) operations, placing a clear emphasis on regionalised testing and data-driven design tailored to local market demands. The company now operates R&D centres not only in China, but also in the USA and Europe, supporting its growing presence in the international OE and replacement markets.
At the heart of Linglong’s European operations is its development centre in Hanover, Germany. This site includes a fully equipped workshop and advanced tyre testing and analysis technologies. It plays a pivotal role in supporting Linglong’s local testing strategy for the European market—critical for ensuring compliance with OEM specifications and consumer expectations across diverse driving conditions.
From Hanover, Linglong manages a network of test activities across Europe, including the permanent use of proving grounds in Spain and Finland. These sites allow for a wide range of real-world performance evaluations, from high-speed handling and braking to winter grip and wet traction.
Test vehicles are prepared and coordinated directly from the German facility, enabling close alignment between tyre design, testing, and market requirements. This strategy reflects a broader industry trend: ensuring tyres are not only globally engineered but also locally validated.
In China, the company has invested in what it describes as the largest and most modern proving ground in Asia—its Sino-Asia test site located in Zhaoyuan. This facility adds considerable capacity for high-volume tyre testing across a wide range of vehicle types and driving scenarios. The move supports Linglong’s ambition to compete globally with established manufacturers by combining scale with data-rich development protocols.
All tyres destined for the European market—whether for factory fitment or aftermarket sale—are developed and tested within Europe. This localised approach improves response times to regulatory changes, driving habits, and road conditions, while also enabling direct collaboration with European vehicle manufacturers.
Linglong’s expanded global R&D strategy highlights a key shift in tyre development: from centralised engineering to regionally integrated testing, powered by advanced data analysis and test automation. The emphasis on dedicated European facilities aligns with wider sector trends, particularly the need for tyres to meet the performance demands of EVs, integrate with smart vehicle systems, and support sustainability goals through precise lifecycle validation. As automation and intelligent sensor technologies continue to transform both manufacturing and testing, regional test centres like Hanover will be essential to future-ready tyre development.
Tagged with: Linglong Tire, tyre testing, European R&D, Hanover tyre centre, EV tyre development, smart tyre data, proving grounds, Sino-Asia test site, sustainability, tyre automation
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