The re-glocalisation of the tyre market
On first glance, the ownership dispute between Pirelli and Sinochem, the impact of US tariffs on the share prices of premium tyre manufacturers, Bridgestone’s job cuts in Spain, and Apollo Tyres’ decision to shutter its Enschede, Netherlands factory might not appear connected. However, all of them took place in the last month (April 2025) and reflect overlapping trends – geopolitical tensions, macroeconomic pressures, and competitive disruptions – that are reshaping the industry’s landscape. More broadly, some have described the present business era as the end of globalisation. However, looking at the same subject through the prism of the global tyre business suggests we could be witnessing a re-ordering of global powers or even a re-globalisation of the tyre market.