The world’s top 10 tire makers now have a new addition in the form of Taiwanese manufacturer Cheng Shin Rubber. Now that almost all the major tyre manufacturers’ sales figures are in, the numbers show that Cheng Shin Rubber – producer of the Maxxis brand – leapfrogged Toyo and Giti Tire into 10th place in 2009. Last year the company ranked 12th on the Tyres & Accessories leaderboard.

Cheng Shin Rubber reports that it recorded a turnover of 1.887 billion euros which, although only a slight increase over the previous year, demonstrates the company’s relative resilience to the global financial crisis. Competitors Toyo and Giti Tire on the other hand lost sales during the period, enabling Cheng Shin to go up two steps on the ladder. Look out for the complete table with further details and listing for the top 25 companies online and in the June issue of Tyres & Accessories.