Giti Tire recently made history by hosting its first-ever European heavy goods vehicle (HGV) ride-and-drive customer event—the Giti Truck Trek Experience. This event, designed to immerse Giti's distributors and dealers in the real-world performance of its truck and bus tyres, took place at the renowned Transpolis proving ground in Lyon, France. Over 40 Giti distributors and dealers from across Europe attended, marking a significant milestone in the company's customer engagement strategy.
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The Giti Truck Trek Experience was more than just a product showcase; it was an opportunity for participants to experience Giti's truck and bus tyre (TBR) range first-hand. The event was structured around a series of dynamic driving challenges that tested the performance and reliability of Giti’s tyres in demanding conditions.
On the first day, attendees participated in several driving exercises, including the Evade & Brake challenge, which involved performing an emergency stop from 80 kph on Giti's GSR259, GDR675, and GTR955 tyres. Another highlight was the Urban Truck Ride, where drivers navigated a complex manoeuvring course and a tight parking test using the Giti GAM851 and GDM687 tyres.
For those who wanted to push the tyres to their limits, the Freewheeling challenge allowed drivers to test the Giti GSR259 and GDR675 along a long slalom course, showcasing the tyres' agility and handling. Additionally, the Technical Workshop Masterclass provided an in-depth exploration of Giti's TBR product portfolio, giving attendees valuable insights into the technology and engineering behind the tyres.
For the adrenaline seekers, the event featured a high-octane off-road taxi ride in Truck Team Holten's modified Mercedes 1622 800HP and Scania 4x4 630, both equipped with Giti GAO897 Off Road tyres. This experience demonstrated how Giti's involvement in extreme sports influences its research and development, ultimately enhancing the durability and performance of their commercial tyres.
Day two of the event offered a more relaxed pace with a French Experience Day, where participants visited the charming village of Perouge and explored the Fondation de l’Automobile Marius Berliet. This private collection of commercial vehicles, cars, engines, and components provided a fascinating glimpse into automotive history, followed by a leisurely lunch and wine tasting, offering a perfect blend of culture and camaraderie.
The Giti Truck Trek Experience coincided with the launch of Giti Tire’s new "Verified by Customers" marketing campaign. This initiative is built on the premise that experiencing the tyres in real-world conditions dramatically increases distributors’ and dealers’ confidence in the products they sell.
“All Giti distributors and dealers are completely brought into the TBR portfolio and philosophy, but once they get behind the wheel of a truck and try the tyres for themselves, their understanding of the products’ performance goes through the roof,” said Petr Cajka, Truck and Bus Director - Europe for Giti Tire. “This is the basis of our Verified by Customers marketing campaign, because once you have experienced the tyres in-situ you have far more confidence in selling the tyres and services to major truck and bus fleets.”
He added, “I would like to personally thank everyone who joined us across the week from all over Europe; now it’s time to take the Giti message to market.”
The success of the Giti Truck Trek Experience sets a strong precedent for future customer events. As Giti Tire continues to expand its presence in the European market, such hands-on experiences will play a crucial role in strengthening relationships with distributors and dealers, ensuring they are well-equipped to advocate for Giti’s TBR products with confidence.
A short video of the Giti Truck Trek Experience is available on the Giti Video Hub, offering a visual recap of this unique and engaging event.
