EU tire makers feature strongly in global rankings

London – European majors Group Michelin, Continental and Pirelli retained their top five positions in the latest ranking by sales of the world’s 75 largest tire manufacturers.

This was despite higher sales growth among overseas rivals further down the top 10: Hankook Tire & Technology, Yokohama Rubber Co., ZC Rubber and Sailun Group.

Group Michelin remained the top tire maker for the sixth year in a row in the ERJ’s European Tire Report 2025 – based solely on sales of tires in 2024.

The Clermont-Ferrand, France-based company generated $25.7 billion (€21.6 billion) in estimated fiscal 2024 tire sales, which was down $1.6 billion or 6% from 2023.

Even with the drop, Michelin's sales were still good enough to keep it nearly $900 million ahead of second-placed Bridgestone Corp.

Continental Tires was fourth – behind Goodyear – with $12.5 billion in sales, just slightly down on the Hanover, Germany-based manufacturer’s prior-year level.

In the fifth spot, Pirelli lengthened its lead over nearest rival Sumitomo Rubber Industries, after the companies' tire sales were nearly even in last year's rankings.

Pirelli had sales of $7.3 billion in 2024, compared with Sumitomo's $6.9 billion, this year’s European Tire Report shows.

Read the full European Tire Report 2025 in September/October issue of European Rubber Journal magazine – out soon.