Dunlop Tires North America (DTNA), a subsidiary of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, has appointed Robert Liu as assistant vice president of product management, the Rancho Cucamonga, California-based company announced. The company said Liu will help steer the Dunlop and Falken brands into their next phase of product innovation and growth.
Liu brings more than 30 years of experience across the tire and automotive industries. He began his career as a simulation engineer at General Motors before spending 27 years at Continental Tire, where he held roles in product research and development, sales and product management.
During that tenure he spent five years based in Shanghai, leading product management and R&D for the Asia-Pacific region. Most recently he headed R&D for the American region, with a focus on replacement passenger light truck (PLT) tires.
In the new position, Liu will lead product development and oversee PLT and truck and bus radial (TBR) products together with the company's product management team.
Ken Hsu, DTNA's vice president of marketing, said the company was pleased to add Liu, citing his industry experience and leadership as a fit with its innovation and growth goals, and said his insights are expected to benefit product strategy going forward.