In early 2026, the tyre industry sent a confusing signal:
Some factories are still selling at a loss
Some prices are starting to rise
In China:
• TBR tyres: “selling at a loss” is no longer a secret
• PCR tyres: prices dropped to extreme lows (e.g. 16” at ~99 RMB)
• Overseas capacity is still expanding rapidly
So what’s really happening?
The Truth: The Price War Has NOT Ended
Prices are rising — but competition is still brutal, this is not recovery.
It’s a split market:
• Low-end tyres → still fighting on price
• Stable-quality tyres → starting to increase
• Weak players → under survival pressure
Will Prices Stabilize?
Not in the short term.
Because:
• New factories (especially in Southeast Asia) are still adding supply
• Global demand is not strong enough
• Price competition has not cleared out weaker players
This is a transition phase, not a stable cycle.
So — Buy Now or Wait?
Wrong question.
The real question is:
Are you buying the right mix?
One of the smart purchasing strategies
Prioritize High-Quality products for batch stockpiling, high-value-added products and avoid homogeneous conventional tyres
More strategies
The risk today is not high price — it is choosing the wrong structure.
At AQUILA, We can help you build the right strategy, call us!
