Tyre Trends August/September 2026

MEXICO DRIVING THE NEXT WAVE OF TYRE MANUFACTURING A decade ago, few would have imagined Mexico becoming one of the world’s most closely watched destinations for tyre manufacturing. Today, it is impossible to ignore. From global tyre makers to machinery suppliers and raw material companies, the country has become the preferred choice for businesses looking to serve North America faster, more efficiently and with greater flexibility. The reasons are easy to understand. Mexico offers proximity to the US market, competitive manufacturing costs, a growing automotive industry and the advantages of the USMCA trade agreement. But the real story goes beyond geography. The country is becoming a strategic manufacturing base where companies are investing not just in capacity, but in technology, people and long-term partnerships. That is why companies such as JK Tyre, Bridgestone and Yokohama Rubber are placing Mexico at the centre of their regional strategies. New plants, expanding production, shorter supply chains and customer-focused manufacturing are changing the way the global tyre business operates. Yet, Mexico’s rise is not without its challenges. Cheap imports, infrastructure gaps, labour shortages and an underdeveloped retreading sector continue to test the industry’s resilience. Even so, investment continues to flow, confidence remains high and the country’s role in the global tyre industry is only becoming stronger. For this cover story, Tyre Trends spoke with leaders across the tyre industry to understand why Mexico matters now more than ever – and why its journey is only just beginning.