Japanese rubber futures were range-bound on Wednesday as upbeat European car demand offset weaker oil prices. The Osaka Exchange (OSE) rubber contract for November delivery was up 1 yen, or 0.23 per cent, at 439.9 yen ($2.72) per kg.

The rubber ⁠contract ⁠on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) for September delivery fell 195 yuan, or 1.1 per cent, to 17,605 yuan ($2,587.52) per metric ton. Natural rubber often tracks oil prices as it competes for market share with synthetic rubber, which is made from crude oil. The front-month rubber contract on Singapore Exchange's SICOM platform for July delivery last traded at 224.1 US cents per kg, down 0.1 per cent as of 0702 GMT.