Dunlop Tires North America (DTNA), a subsidiary of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, has named Robert Liu to a product management leadership role, identified in the company announcement as assistant vice president of product management. The appointment brings a tire-industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience into a position focused on product development for the Dunlop and Falken brands.
Liu began his career as a simulation engineer at General Motors. He then spent 27 years at Continental Tire, where he held roles in product research and development, sales and product management. He also spent five years in Shanghai as an expatriate, leading product management and R&D for the Asia-Pacific region. Most recently, he led R&D for the American region, focusing on replacement passenger light truck (PLT) tires.
At DTNA, Liu will lead product development efforts and oversee PLT and truck and bus radial (TBR) products with the company's product management team. The company said his background will help guide the Dunlop and Falken brands into their next phase of product innovation and growth.
"We are excited to welcome Robert to our team," said Ken Hsu, DTNA's vice president of marketing. Hsu said Liu's experience and leadership in the tire industry align with the company's innovation and growth goals and are expected to benefit its product strategies.