2007-04-23 09:45:05 CEST

2007-04-23 09:45:05 CEST


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Nokian Renkaat - Company Announcement

NOKIAN TYRES' FIRST QUARTER NET SALES AND OPERATING PROFIT HIHGER THAN EXPECTATIONS


Nokian Tyres plc    Stock Exchange Release April 23, 2007 at 10.30 a.m          


NOKIAN TYRES' FIRST QUARTER NET SALES AND OPERATING PROFIT HIHGER THAN          
EXPECTATIONS                                                                    

Nokian Tyres' first quarter proceeded better than expected.  Preliminary figures
show that the first quarter net sales will be approximately 200 MEUR (149.4 MEUR
in January-March 2006). Operating profit is estimated to total 39 MEUR (13.4    
MEUR). All profit centres improved their net sales and operating profits        
compared to the previous year.                                                  

Main reasons for the better than expected results are the strong sales growth   
continuing in Russia as well as stronger than expected summer tyre sales. Winter
tyre pre-sales exceeded previous year and the newly launched Nokian Hakka summer
tyre family boosted summer tyre sales.                                          

Sales growth was exceptionally high during the first quarter. The company       
expects growth to continue during the year, however not at the same pace as     
during Q1.                                                                      

Nokian Tyres does not change its targets for 2007. The estimated full year net  
sales are 900 - 1,000 MEUR, which is dependent on the success of the winter tyre
sales on its main markets.                                                      

Nokian Tyres' January-March 2007 Interim Report will be published               
on Wednesday, 9th of May 2007.                                                  



Nokian Tyres plc                                                                

Raila Hietala-Hellman                                                           
Vice President, Corporate Communications                                        


Distribution: OMX and major media