The End of Cheap Chinese Tyres?
On 1 July, the Chinese government reduced tax relief on tyre exports, causing those involved in importing or selling Chinese produced tyres in Europe to brace themselves price increase. At the same time, as one industry insider told Tyres & Accessories, market conditions are changing and “you are no longer doing Chinese companies a favour by selling their tyres.” So does this move mean the days of cheap Chinese tyres are numbered?
The Chinese government’s decision to cut its previously high tyre export subsidies from 13 per cent to 5 per cent; and to cut VAT refunds on wheels produced for export from 17 per cent to 9 per cent; is designed to address the Republic’s overwhelming export growth and is attempt to manage its trade surplus. Traditionally, export VAT refunds have kept export prices low for tyremakers and tyre and wheel component suppliers exporting out of China. Now, however, according to an Ernst & Young report released 20 June, “any change to a VAT refund rate will impact the prices charged on export goods as well as the profitability of exporters.”