Entering 2026, the Chinese tire industry witnessed a new peak of capacity expansion. New projects were launched in a concentrated manner, and overseas expansion efforts continued to increase. The industry landscape was acceleratingly reshaped. From the concentrated launch of new projects in multiple regions across the country to overseas investments by tire companies, Chinese tires are reshaping the global market landscape with a large-scale and global expansion strategy. At the same time, this has also brought the industry competition to a highly intense stage.
Behind the surge in production capacity is China's continuous plundering of global market share in the tire industry. According to data, the total production of inflated rubber outer tires in 2025 will reach 1.207 billion units, with a year-on-year growth of 1.72%, but the growth rate has slowed down. The total production of automotive tires will be 834 million units, with a slight year-on-year decrease of 1.59%. Even in multiple countries and regions, while continuously strengthening trade barriers, Chinese tires still continue to be exported to the EU, the United States, and the ASEAN market, becoming one of the largest tire suppliers in the world.
In sharp contrast to the contraction of foreign brands, several international giants have continuously shut down factories in Europe and the United States over the past five years, closing a total of more than 20 factories and laying off over 10,000 employees. Meanwhile, Chinese enterprises have taken the opposite approach, expanding despite the situation. By leveraging cost advantages, upgrading intelligent manufacturing and implementing global strategies, they have been continuously seizing market spaces vacated by foreign brands. In specialized fields such as new energy tires, off-road tires, and special tires, domestic substitution is accelerating.
