Giti earns fitments on 2019 Volkswagen Passat

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. — Giti Tire USA Ltd. has earned its first original equipment fitment for tires that will be manufactured at its new plant in Chester County, S.C.

Giti said two of its tire sizes will be OE on the 2019 Volkswagen Passat. The premium all-season Giti ComfortA1 will be OE fitment in sizes 235/45R18 95H and 235/40R19 92H. The VW Passat is manufactured in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Singapore-headquartered Giti budgeted $560 million for the 1.8 million sq.-ft. facility, which is expected to begin production later this year.

Giti has been sourced as original equipment on the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, the German auto maker's new full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV). The Atlas, which will be made at VW's Chattanooga plant, has three rows and seats up to seven.

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Giti broke ground on its $560 million tire plant in Richburg, S.C. on Feb. 12, 2015. The plant is expected to start production later this year.

"One of our stated goals when we announced the Chester County plant was to become a valued original equipment supplier in North America," said John Aben, senior vice president, OE & consumer sales, North America, for Giti Tire USA. "Today's announcement is an important step in that direction, and we are thrilled that this first announced fitment is with such a prestigious auto maker."

The tire company's plant will produce five million tires annually for the replacement and original equipment tire markets when at full capacity.

For more information, visit www.giti.com.

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