Thailand, Vietnam Strengthen Grip on EU Truck Tire Imports

Thailand and Vietnam have continued to strengthen their position in the European truck and bus tire market, with imports from both countries outpacing traditional Asian suppliers during the first five months of 2026. According to a report by Astutus Research for Tyres Europe, truck and bus radial tire imports into the EU27+UK from non-European markets increased 26.7% year-on-year to 3.6 million units. Thailand remained the largest supplier, with exports rising 33% to 1.2 million tires, while Vietnam recorded the strongest growth, with shipments surging 38% to 1.0 million tires. Together, the two countries accounted for almost 61% of EU27+UK truck and bus tire imports, up from a combined 57% a year earlier and less than 30% in 2019. China retained the third place, with imports increasing 9% to 600,000 units, although its market share declined to 16% from around 19% a year earlier and in 2019. The report noted that the shift reflects an increasing concentration of supply within ASEAN, at the expense of more traditional exporting countries. India’s imports tripled to 200,000 units, lifting its market share to 6.3% and making it the fourth-largest supplier, while South Korea’s share declined to 4.3% and Japan’s slipped to 3.4%. Egypt’s share of the market fell to 4.9%, and Indonesia accounted for 1.9% of imports.