Statistics released by Xiamen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Xiamen port imported 102 batches of tires, valued at 25.96 billion U.S. dollars in total, in 2016, down 24.4% and 43.5%, respectively, from 2015.
Tires imported from Xiamen port were mainly auto car tires and bus and truck tires, which accounted for more than 60% of the value of Xiamen’s tire imports.
The imported tires largely came from Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and U.K.
An industry insider said that tires imported from Xiamen port in 2016 dropped sharply from the previous year was caused by the following reasons:
First, the U.S. launched anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation against tires from China, which forced Chinese tire producers put their exportable goods on domestic market, positively expanding the domestic market shares.
Secondly, most internationally renowned tire producers have set up plants in China.
Thirdly, China has become the world’s largest rubber consumer and importer, the domestic tire output is in excess, and homemade tires have greater price advantage.
In addition, the quality and brand visibility of domestic tires have increased considerably due to heavy investment in R&D and technical innovation, and domestic tires are already capable of competing with international brands.
Therefore, homemade tires with high quality and competitive price beat imported tires, and the demand for tire imports has declined gradually.
Sharp decrease of imported tires also shows that consumers have accepted China’s own tire brands, and using tires of domestic brands will be a new trend of consumption.
