Europe retains pole position in global tire rankings

London – Amid growing competition, particularly from Asia, European-headquartered players maintained their strong positions in the ERJ Global Tire Report 2026* ranking by sales of the top 75 tire makers in the world.

Despite a decline in tire sales, Michelin emerged as the world’s largest tire manufacturer for a seventh consecutive year, while Continental and Pirelli rounded out the top five spots – likewise retaining their positions of a year ago.

Michelin achieved 2025 tire sales of $24.1 billion, a drop of 6% from the year before, which Clermont-Ferrand, France-based has attributed to world trade disruptions, in turn linked to international tensions and geopolitical conflict.

Fourth placed Continental, meanwhile, posted 13.1% year-on-year decrease in sales, to $13.0 billion, at its Tires business – set to become the Hanover, Germany group’s sole focus, after a major restructuring featuring the divestment of its automotive and ContiTech divisions. In the past, Continental’s tire sales made up less than a third of overall group revenue.

With 2025 sales of $7.7 billion, Pirelli kept hold of fifth place, though the year-on-year increase of 4.5% was just enough to keep the Italian group ahead of Yokohama Rubber Co., which increased tire sales by $1 billion – helped by the acquisition of Goodyear’s off-road tire business.

Development of tire-related sales* among manufacturers based in European region

*Based on estimated tire-related revenues in Global Tire Report / **Continental sales figures calculated by ERJ, using €/$ conversion average rate of 1.13 in 2025 (1.08 in 2024). In local currency, Conti posted 2025 sales for its Tires unit at €13,798 million, down 0.5% year-on-year from its 2024 total of €13,861 million.

Further down the rankings, Prometeon Tyre, headquartered Milan, Italy, slipped down three places from last year to no 26 with sales of $1.4 billion.

Nokian Tyres came in two slots lower at no 28, with sales of $1.2 billion, as estimated by Tire Business compilers. This was despite a 6.5% increase in 2025 revenue – to €1.4 billion in local currency – as reported by the Finnish group.

Elsewhere, Istanbul-based BRISA/Bridgestone-Sabanci Lastik moved up three positions on last year to no 35, with sales last year of around $1.1 billion.

Two other Turkish producers also feature in the top 75: Petlas placed at no 44 with 2025 sales of $720 million and Özka Lastik ve Kauçuk at no 68 with sales of $169 million.

Also noteworthy was Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Ltd which – along with Inoue Rubber (Thailand) – was one of only two new companies to enter the Global Tire Report rankings this year.

The Birmingham, UK-based maker of tires for commercial, cargo, passenger and military aircraft had tire sales of $89.3 million, enough to secure 74th position.

Read the full report in the September/October 2026 issue of European Rubber Journal magazine.