Wanli develops a brand with an 80-year history
Wanli Tire conducted a dealer conference dedicated to the future development of the Diamond brand, which was originally created in 1944. In 2024, the brand celebrates its 80th anniversary, and Wanli stated that over the past time, Diamond tires have always been distinguished by their quality, and the product line has been constantly updated, which has allowed the brand to gain a high reputation among dealers and car owners.
Currently, the brand's range includes models of various categories, including comfort and sports tires, as well as winter, eco-friendly, and off-road tires. Additionally, tires for light trucks and the DT328 model with increased wear resistance, developed specifically for taxis and car rental companies, are offered.
The latest additions to the lineup are, in accordance with current trends in the Chinese market, tires designed specifically for electric vehicle and hybrid owners, and in this segment, the Diamond DP026 EV for compact cars and the Diamond DA319 EV for medium and large-sized vehicles were presented, both of which belong to the category of high-comfort tires.
According to the manufacturer, the Diamond DP026 EV tires have a tread pattern (the same as the Wanli SP026) with a variable pitch, which reduces noise, while 3D lamellas reduce vibrations, improving ride comfort.
In addition, the high silica content in the rubber compound improves energy efficiency, while computer simulation technologies helped to make the pressure distribution in the contact area with the road more even and improve handling. The DP026 EV tires are available in 46 sizes from 185/70 R14 to 235/60 R18.
In turn, the Diamond DA319 EV tires have an asymmetric tread pattern, which improves resistance to lateral wear when performing emergency maneuvers on dry asphalt and increases the level of safety.
The compound with uniformly distributed silica particles improves energy efficiency, and the drainage system, which includes wide main grooves, is responsible for increasing traction on wet roads.
The lineup includes 16 sizes from 225/65 R17 to 255/50ZR20, and since car-sharing services in China are increasingly using electric vehicles, which increase the load on tires due to high weight and torque, in 2024, a version of the Diamond DA319 EV Pro was introduced, made from a rubber compound with improved wear resistance.
In the third quarter of this year, Wanli also plans to release new tires with a Run-Flat design, which will be named Diamond DA332. As noted by the company, Diamond tires in this segment are already a "benchmark for the domestic industry", and when developing the new product, engineers sought to solve the problem that drivers often complain about, namely making the ride more comfortable. To this end, a new carcass design was developed, which, according to the manufacturer, reduces vibrations on uneven surfaces, while reinforced sidewalls reduce the likelihood of punctures.
In 1944, the Chinese tire industry was in a deplorable state due to World War II, but entrepreneurs began to create new production facilities, and on one of the small bicycle tire factories in Guangzhou, the Diamond brand was created. In 2009, the enterprise, which by that time had already begun to export products outside of China, was acquired by the company now known as Wanli Tire, after which the brand took strong positions in the Chinese market for two-wheeled vehicle tires, and in 2014, the production of tires for passenger cars began.