VIANOR TYRE CHAIN EXPANDING IN RUSSIA AND IN SWEDEN

Nokian Tyres’ Vianor tyre chain is expanding in Russia and in Sweden. New Vianor outlets have been opened in the towns of Rostov and St. Petersburg in Russia. In Sweden Nokian Tyres’ has acquired two tyre shops.

Nokian Tyres will invest approx. EUR 10 million in establishing own Vianor outlets in Moscow and St. Petersburg. It is the target to open a total of 30, mainly franchising based Vianor outlets in Russia during 2005. Mr. Juri Melnik, a former importer of Nokian branded tyres, will manage the Vianor operations in Russia.

- The expansion of the Vianor chain will boost Nokian Tyres’ sales in Russia and give the company direct contacts with Russian consumers. The tyre distribution is increasingly taken care by the tyre shops and Nokian Tyres wants to be in the lead of this development, says Mr. Kim Gran, President and CEO of Nokian Tyres.

Vianor chain expands also in Sweden where Nokian Tyres has acquired two new tyre shops, Sjögrens Vulk AB and Degerfors Vulkcentral. Vianor will continue to grow in Sweden through franchising and acquisitions.

All Vianor outlets share the same operational model and marketing concept. Vianor outlets sell mainly Nokian branded tyres, but also other well-known tyre brands. In addition, Vianor provides its customers with selected car related products and services, such as tyre hotels.

Nokian Tyres plc

Raila Hietala-Hellman

Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations

Further information: Mr. Kim Gran, President and CEO, tel.

+358 3 340 7336 or Seppo Kupi +358 3 340 7634.

Distribution: OMX and major media