Michelin has published global sell‑in market data for passenger and light‑truck tires covering the first nine months of 2026, during its third‑quarter business briefing.
Total worldwide volumes stayed stable year‑over‑year. A 1‑percent fall in original‑equipment (OE) tire shipments was balanced by a 1‑percent increase in replacement‑tire demand. Regional results show very different market conditions across major geographies.
Europe (including Türkiye and Central Asia): OE demand flat (0 %); replacement market down ‑1 %. EV demand supports local OE production, yet imported foreign vehicles restrict domestic car output. EU anti‑dumping rules have curbed low‑cost tire imports and reshaped Europe’s aftermarket competition.
Americas: OE ‑1 %, replacement ‑3 %. Tariffs, high interest rates and fuel costs suppress consumer spending. Distributor‑level sales are weaker, but end‑user consumption holds up. Mid‑range tire brands are losing ground to premium and budget options.
China: OE ‑7 %, replacement +6 %. Automakers are de‑stocking and domestic new‑vehicle incentives have faded. Chinese new‑energy vehicle exports reach all‑time highs. A strong vehicle‑replacement cycle fuels robust growth in the domestic tire aftermarket.
The Chinese tire sector faces contrasting realities. Original‑equipment business moves in line with new‑car production limits, while the replacement market serves as a stable foundation for local manufacturers. Domestic producers are pursuing two priorities: strengthening domestic aftermarket networks, and chasing overseas OE orders by following Chinese EV and hybrid‑vehicle exports.
Looking at the worldwide tire landscape, pure volume‑led growth is fading. Future opportunities lie in structural market shifts. Trade barriers are reorganising international tire supply chains, pushing exporters to build local overseas production and explore emerging‑market channels.
Market polarisation can be observed globally: premium‑segment and budget‑segment tires perform well, while mid‑tier brands are under pressure. Brand positioning and channel strength out‑compete simple price‑based strategies.
For Chinese tire companies, securing domestic aftermarket share and capitalising on new‑energy‑vehicle‑driven overseas OE projects will define future growth.
