The growing number of imported tyres is squeezing local businesses. Local manufacturers, fitment centres and smaller tyre traders are feeling the pinch of the cheap imports from China and also raise concerns about jobs and the wider automotive supply chain.
Nduduzo Chala, managing executive of the South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC), said the replacement market has become extremely competitive as more imported tyres enter the country.
“In the last two to three years, we have had this complaint of unfair trade in the replacement market where we are seeing more imported products being sold in the market because they are far cheaper,” Chala said.
He said fitment centres often stock these tyres because they arrive from China in large stock loads at lower prices. This makes it difficult for local businesses to compete while still covering their own costs.
About eight million new tyres were imported into South Africa in 2024, while roughly 8.1 million were produced locally. Replacement tyres account for more than 70% of new tyre sales.
Cheaper tyres change the competition
Smaller tyre shops, fitment centres and wholesalers are directly exposed to the price battle because they deal with motorists making purchasing decisions every day.
Joe Matlala of Tyre Trader near Quagga Shopping Centre in Pretoria West said customers are increasingly looking for cheaper options, making the market difficult for smaller businesses.
“People are looking for something that is cheap. If they find a cheaper tyre somewhere else, they will go for that option,” Matlala said.
He said businesses still have their own costs to manage while trying to compete with cheaper products.
The impact also reaches businesses that depend on vehicles. Taxi operators, courier companies, delivery businesses and other SMEs regularly spend money on tyres and maintenance.
The wider motor aftermarket faces similar pressure. Businesses selling batteries, brake parts, suspension components and other replacement parts also have to compete for customers who are trying to reduce vehicle costs.
Bernie Laing, co-owner of a Supa Quick fitment store, previously highlighted some of the challenges facing smaller operators, including the impact of anti-dumping duties on Chinese tyres and the weaker buying power of smaller businesses compared with larger players.
Local manufacturing feels the pressure
The increase in imported tyres comes as local manufacturing has already lost production capacity.
Goodyear closed its manufacturing plant in Kariega, Eastern Cape in 2025 after almost 80 years of production. The company cited competition from cheaper imports from Asian markets as one of the factors behind the closure.
Bridgestone also closed its Gqeberha plant in 2020, although it continues to operate its Brits manufacturing facility.
The impact goes beyond the factories. Local tyre production supports jobs and businesses involved in transport, logistics, distribution, maintenance and other parts of the supply chain.
Anti-dumping duties on certain Chinese passenger, truck and bus tyres were introduced in 2023, with duties ranging from 7.18% to 43.6%. They are scheduled to remain in place until July 2028.
Chala has encouraged motorists to consider locally manufactured brands such as Bridgestone, Continental and Dunlop, saying local production supports jobs, local sourcing and the wider economy.
