Now one of the largest tyre-producing countries in the world, China has an indisputable influence on the direction of global tyre trade. The home of both fast-growing up-and-coming brands as well as a burgeoning domestic market, this tag chronicles China’s involvement with the tyre business.
After the European Commission (EC) published and then withdrew a web page stating that it will initiate an anti-dumping investigation into Chinese-produced car tyres, news of the investigation has now been confirmed by sources in the UK and Europe. In answer to questions from Tyres & Accessories, ITMA chairman Alfred Graham confirmed that “the Chinese Mission in Brussels have been informed by the EU”.
Over the May bank holiday weekend (2-5 May) many of us were outside enjoying the sunshine. Not so at the European Commission where staff were apparently preparing for the initiation of an anti-dumping investigation into Chinese-produced passenger car radial tyres known as AD733. However, by the time we at Tyres & Accessories returned to work, all references to AD733 had been removed from the European Commission’s website. Nevertheless, we have seen screenshots of the page in question taken by more than three distinct sources. Cached search results also show pages referring to AD733. T&A contacted five different European Commission (EC) press officers for confirmation of the EC’s position in relation to investigating imports of Chinese-produced car tyres into Europe. At the time of going to press, there had been no comment from the EC.
On 18 April, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) issued Guilin Lanyu Aviation Tyre Co., Ltd. official certification for its large aircraft radial tyres. With this China Technical Standard Order Authorisation (CTSOA), the Sinochem subsidiary gains approval to supply both main and nose landing gear tyres to the Comac C919 narrow body airliner.
The 2025 Guangrao Tyre Exhibition is about to open in just over two weeks. Running from 15-17 May, this gathering of the Chinese tyre industry will be held at the Guangrao International Expo Center. Tyrepress China learned from the organisers that this year’s exhibition has new highlights.
In 2024, Triangle’s revenue and net profit both declined. Among them, revenue was 10.16 billion yuan (about £1.045 billion; €1.228 billion), a decline of 2.55 per cent; net profit was 1.1 billion yuan (about £113 million; €133 million), a decrease of 21.03 per cent. The cash flow situation was even worse, down 45.08 per cent year-on-year. Triangle said the main reason for its cash flow decline was that its “purchase payment amount increased and sales received cash decreased” in 2024.
Yesterday Pirelli published a board-level declaration that Sinochem no longer “controls” Pirelli. However, elsewhere in Pirelli’s own statement, the company also qualified that definitive-sounding remark with the following note: “the decision regarding the absence of control of the shareholder Sinochem represents a first, but not decisive, step on the path to the necessary adjustment of company governance…”. Therefore, it was no surprise to learn that Sinochem, which holds its 37 per cent stake in Pirelli through investment vehicle Marco Polo International, sees things differently.
Pirelli officials have confirmed that Sinochem Group’s control over Pirelli has ended. The news follows reports earlier in the day and ongoing talks between the company and its major shareholders based on fears that too strong a Chinese position would hinder Pirelli’s development in the USA. However official documents also state “the decision regarding the absence of control of the shareholder Sinochem represents a first, but not decisive, step on the path to the necessary adjustment of company governance…”
Pirelli’s board is expected to approve an accord on Monday to end Sinochem’s control of the tyre maker, Reuters report stating: “Chinese and Italian shareholders in Pirelli have been at odds over the group’s governance” with the upshot being that Sinochem was considered to have hindered Pirelli’s expansion in the United States.
Linglong plans to jointly establish Linglong (Brazil) with Sunset S.A. Comercial Industrial Y De Servicios (Sunset) in Brazil and carry out business activities. Linglong holds 70 per cent of the shares, and Sunset holds 30 per cent. The tyre manufacturer said it would adopt a combination of monetary and non-monetary investment to establish Linglong (Brazil) under the premise that Brazilian laws and regulations permit.
Aeolus’ revenue in 2024 was 6.71 billion yuan (about £693 million; €808 million), a year-on-year increase of 16.89 per cent. However, the tyre manufacturer’s net profit and cash flow fell sharply year-on-year. Net profit was 280 million yuan (about £29 million; €34 million), a year-on-year decrease of nearly 20 per cent. Net cash flow generated by operating activities was 200 million yuan (about £21 million; €24 million), a decrease of nearly 60 per cent.
In Perth, Australia, Sailun and Rio Tinto signed a five-year supply agreement and global framework agreement for the Simandou project in Guinea from 2025 to 2030. Sailun said that its Maxam brand would provide a complete set of tyre solutions for Rio Tinto’s 230-ton mining trucks and supporting auxiliary equipment for the Simandou iron ore mine in Guinea and will gradually start cooperation with Rio Tinto’s other global projects.
Last month, Continental approved the spin-off of its Automotive group sector, and it has now announced a new name for this business. At the Auto Shanghai show in China, where it is currently exhibiting, Automotive revealed that in future it would be known as Aumovio. Continental says this new name “combines the strong market position, heritage and technological expertise in the automotive industry with the ambition to shape the mobility of the future with innovations.”
In April 2024, the tariff policy of the Trump administration in the United States may completely changed the pattern of China’s tyre exports. Therefore, China’s export data in March may be the end of the era of China’s tyre export expansion. Next, the geopolitical changes led by the United States will determine the long-term and specific impact on China’s tyre exports in the future.
Bridgestone reports that BYD has chosen its Turanza T005 as the original equipment tyre for its new flagship model, the all-electric BYD Han L. Debuting in China this month, the Han L wears the Bridgestone tyre in size 245/45 R19.
China has been a clear beneficiary of Western sanctions against Russia. A glance at the exhibitor list for Tires & Rubber 2025, which is currently taking place in Moscow, shows that 142 exhibitors – 58 per cent of exhibitors at this year’s show – are from the People’s Republic. The strong presence of Chinese tyre makers has raised some high-profile eyebrows.
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