Astute Analytica, a global analytics and advisory company, has said in its latest report that the Japan tyre market is projected to hit market valuation of USD 33.59 billion by 2032, up from USD 14.78 billion in 2023, at a CAGR of 9.74 percent by the year 2032.

The report delves deep into the macros of Japan tyre market and highlights various factors influencing the current condition and shaping the future scenario, including the top drivers of the market, the top trends emerging out of it and also the top challenges faced by the Japan tyre market.

As per the report, increasing vehicle ownership rates and urban car dependency are the major factors influencing the demand for more tyres. This is followed by government regulations promoting road safety and mandatory tyre checks and advancements in tyre technology. All of these factors are driving consistent tyre market demand growth. The report further explains the role of growing focus on sustainability in providing significant opportunities for tyre manufacturers to align their products with environmental goals, which is evident from the fact that a total 25 million eco-friendly tyres were sold in 2023. Citing that over 500,000 smart tyres were sold in 2023, the report highlights the role of digitalisation and smart technologies, as well as integration of IoT, in the automotive sector.

The top trends, according to the report, are rising adoption of environmentally-friendly tyres, growing popularity of smart and connected tyres with embedded sensors for real-time performance monitoring and a shift towards online tyre retailing platforms. Among the top challenges faced by the Japan tyre market, according to the report, are the fluctuating raw material costs, intense competition among domestic and international tyre manufacturers and the ageing population affecting vehicle ownership trends and reducing overall tyre demand growth potential.

The report further highlights the expanding role of recycled tyres in Japan's automotive industry – at a CAGR of 10.82 percent – and how they are shaping the tyre market. Japan has a robust infrastructure of over 1,000 tyre recycling facilities nationwide and repurposes approximately 80 million tyres each year, which is further boosting the recycled tyre market, the report says. The report further explains that over 50 million recycled tyres with extended lifespans were produced due to the innovations in devulcanisation and pyrolysis, adding that more than 500 patents were filed for tyre recycling innovations as of 2023. This is not only helping economically but also contributing to Japan's goal of reducing carbon emissions, thereby positioning Japan as a leader in environmental responsibility within the automotive sector.

Among its key findings, the report notes that passenger vehicles are at the forefront of Japan's tyre market and the sector is poised to take up over 63 percent market share. Annual sales of passenger vehicles have surpassed 5 million units, according to the report, resulting in more than 60 million passenger tyres sold annually. Other factors noted by the report are the proliferation of hybrid and electric vehicles in Japan, which number over 2 million, and the rise of ride-sharing services, which account for more than 1 million vehicles.

The report also highlights the rising prominence of the 15–20-inch tyre segment in Japan's tyre market because of the popularity of SUVs and larger passenger vehicles that use these tyres. More than 20 million units are sold annually for this specific size category, says the report and adds that the motorsports industry has also influenced consumer trends. Another factor influencing the popularity of 15–20-inch tyres is the governmental infrastructure projects that have expanded and improved the road network in Japan and made the roads suitable for vehicles equipped with larger tyres.

Another important point highlighted in the report is that the highly consolidated Japanese tyre market is captured by the top six established players, namely Bridgestone Corporation, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Yokohama Tyre, Toyo Tyre, Michelin and The Goodyear Tyre & Rubber Company, who command over 72.9 percent of the market share as of 2023. Elucidating further on this topic, the report says that Bridgestone Corporation alone controls over 29 percent of the Japanese tyre market due to its longstanding presence and reputation for high-quality products. Factors such as high capital investment requirements for manufacturing facilities, extensive research and development for advanced tyre technologies and strict regulatory standards are cited by the report as major challenges for new entrants to penetrate this highly consolidated market. Apart from this, brand reliability and quality also favour domestic companies with proven track records, the report adds.

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Linglong Tire, a major Chinese tyre manufacturer, is investing USD 800 million to build a new advanced tyre plant in Kenya. The facility will be situated in the Mombasa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kilifi County's Mariakani area. This significant project is anticipated to generate more than 1,500 direct local jobs and substantially strengthen regional value chains, marking a pivotal step in enhancing Kenya's profile as an emerging global manufacturing hub.

The official announcement came during the Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms – Kenya Investment Forum 2025. At this event, held at Vipingo Ridge, Kenyan President William Ruto witnessed the formal signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Linglong Group and the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry. President Ruto reiterated his administration's firm commitment to establishing Kenya not just as Africa's leading investment destination but as a competitive player on the world stage.

This development finalises high-level discussions that began earlier in the year between President Ruto and Linglong's Chairman, Wang Feng. The national government has pledged its full support, promising a package of attractive incentives designed to secure investor confidence and ensure the project's success. Beyond immediate employment, the government highlights that the factory will serve as a catalyst for Kenya's broader industrialisation goals, with Special Economic Zones acting as powerful engines for economic growth and continental investment.

President Ruto said, “I was honoured to sign the agreement alongside Mr. Feng Wang, Vice Chair of Linglong Group and President & Chair of Linglong Tyres. As Kenya, and as Africa, we must cast aside the smallness of vision. We must raise our ambition to rival the very best in the world within our lifetime. This landmark project will create jobs, attract new skills, and establish Kenya as a trusted destination for world-class investments.”

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Continental is set to unveil its most advanced city bus tyre, the Conti Urban HA 5 NXT, at the Busworld Europe trade fair in Brussels. The event, anticipated to draw over 40,000 attendees, will feature the new tyre as a centrepiece of the company’s exhibit. This product represents a significant step forward in sustainable and efficient urban mobility solutions.

Constructed with up to 60 percent renewable, recycled and ISCC PLUS mass-balance-certified materials, the tyre is designed to meet the growing environmental and operational demands of fleet operators and vehicle manufacturers. Its composition incorporates natural rubber, renewable fillers and recycled materials from sources like processed scrap tyres. A major technical achievement is a 25 percent reduction in rolling resistance, which can extend the range of electric buses by up to 15 percent, enhancing their overall efficiency. Furthermore, a new tread compound boosts mileage by as much as 15 percent over its predecessor while retaining a ‘B’ wet grip rating.

The tyre’s design also prioritises noise reduction, achieving the top EU label class A for external rolling noise. Its tread pattern ensures excellent grip and braking performance, a critical feature for electric buses equipped with regenerative braking systems. As a standard feature for original equipment, the tyre comes pre-installed with the latest generation of sensors. These enable seamless integration into Continental’s ContiConnect digital management platform, providing real-time data on pressure, temperature and mileage. This connectivity facilitates predictive maintenance, reduces vehicle downtime and lowers operating costs.

Now available in size 275/70 R 22.5, the Conti Urban HA 5 NXT expands upon the existing Conti Urban HA 5 portfolio introduced in 2024, offering fleet operators a targeted and sophisticated solution for the challenges of urban public transport.

Leo Kolodziej, Head of Original Equipment Bus and Truck Tires EMEA at Continental, said, “This major industry gathering is an excellent platform to present the Conti Urban HA 5 NXT to our original equipment customers, fleet operators, transport companies and also the trade public. Our customers expect solutions that are both environmentally and economically sound – in both original equipment and the replacement business. The Conti Urban HA 5 NXT meets these expectations with a balanced concept combining resource-saving material selection, high energy efficiency and a long service life.”

Hinnerk Kaiser, Head of Product Development Bus and Truck Tires EMEA at Continental, said, “In addition to the transformation to climate-friendly local public transport, this also includes familiar challenges such as curbs, frequent traffic lights and driving in narrow streets. The externally certified lifecycle assessment shows an 11 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the previous Conti Urban HA 3 model.”

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Goodyear is executing a major expansion of its award-winning Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 line, introducing 13 new SKUs to create one of the most comprehensive all-season portfolios available. For 2025, the range will encompass an impressive 187 sizes designed to fit rim diameters from 14 to 22 inches. This strategic broadening ensures exceptional market coverage, meeting over 92 percent of demand for vehicles with 18-inch wheels and below and more than 75 percent for the growing segment of 19-inch and larger fitments, catering to a vast majority of European drivers.

The tyre's advanced engineering specifically addresses the needs of modern mobility. Its development is underscored by new original equipment (OE) approvals from premium manufacturers such as Mercedes and Renault, confirming its performance pedigree. It is particularly optimised for the latest electric and hybrid vehicles, including the Kia EV3, Mercedes C-Class, Volvo XC40 and Audi e-tron, where its low rolling resistance enhances battery range and its noise-reduction properties are critical.

Certified with the European Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, the tyre guarantees capable winter performance alongside its summer capabilities. An advanced tread pattern and a versatile compound work in unison to provide superior grip on wet, snowy and icy roads while maintaining reliable and durable dry-road handling across a wide spectrum of temperatures.

Further enhancing its value proposition, the Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 incorporates two key proprietary technologies. Goodyear SealTech is an integrated self-sealing system that can instantly and effectively seal tread punctures up to five mm in diameter, helping to maintain tyre pressure and allow continued driving until a professional inspection can be performed. Simultaneously, Goodyear SoundComfort Technology utilises a built-in foam layer to reduce transmitted interior cabin noise by up to 50 percent, significantly elevating driving refinement, a feature especially beneficial for the quiet nature of electric vehicles.

Ben Glesener, Senior Director, Technology Consumer, EMEA, Goodyear, said, “The expansion of the Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 range reflects Goodyear’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of drivers and vehicle manufacturers alike. The tyre is now available to even more vehicles in the premium segment, combining cutting-edge technologies with year-round versatility to deliver a confident and comfortable driving experience. With its recent win in the ADAC all-season tyre test, the Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 continues to prove that premium all-season tyres are a great way to enhance every journey, all year round.”

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The Tire Industry Project (TIP) has announced the selection of five research proposals under its inaugural Open Call for Projects (OCP), awarding nearly USD 2 million in total funding. This initiative, designed to advance the global scientific understanding of tyre wear emissions and their mitigation, also coincides with the launch of a second funding round focused on ecological impacts.

The first OCP, which concluded in late 2024, attracted 22 submissions over a four-month period. An evaluation committee composed of TIP experts and external technical assessors selected the five awardees based on stringent criteria, including scientific relevance, methodological feasibility, innovation and potential societal impact. Three of the chosen projects will advance research into the environmental pathways and presence of tyre wear particles. These are led by institutions including Germany’s Technical University Darmstadt, which will map pollution in roadside soils; France’s Gustave Eiffel University, investigating particles in sewer systems and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, developing a new high-throughput method for detecting particles.

The remaining two projects are focused on developing practical mitigation solutions. Washington State University will research using tyre char to treat stormwater runoff, while the non-profit Ocean Conservancy will evaluate the effectiveness of green infrastructure in urban areas to capture tyre wear pollution.

Concurrently, TIP has launched its 2025 Open Call for Projects, which will specifically address significant knowledge gaps concerning the potential ecological impacts of tyre wear emissions, including chemicals and leachates. This new focus is informed by TIP’s recent State of Knowledge paper series, which highlighted inconsistencies in the current scientific understanding. To support prospective applicants, TIP will host introductory webinars on 23 September 2025. The final deadline for proposal submissions to this global collaborative initiative is 15 January 2026.

Larisa Kryachkova, Executive Director, TIP, said, “The topic of tyre wear emissions is extremely complex – one that requires deep, evidence-based investigation and cross-stakeholder collaboration. Recognising this, we decided to complement our own research and mitigation initiatives by launching the Open Call for Projects, inviting stakeholders across the world to join us in the quest to uncover this multi-dimensional subject. The initiative reflects our long-term commitment to building a collaborative research ecosystem through public platforms. The OCP takes us one step forward in harnessing the collective brainpower of the scientific community and we look forward to evolving this further in the coming years.”

Dr John Bucher, part of TIP’s Assurance Group and a member of the OCP evaluation committee, said, “Sound science and robust evidence are essential to assessing the environmental challenges we face and to identifying the most effective solutions. Initiatives such as the OCP can act as a tremendous catalyst in this regard, opening a new world of possibilities. We are pleased with the diversity and quality of submissions received, which reaffirms the strong interest in this topic and the desire to engage in collaborative solutions.”

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