Third-quarter filings from six major tyre manufacturers paint a mixed picture, with Hankook posting record earnings while Goodyear and Continental absorbed significant one-off charges. Meanwhile, growth at Nexen Tire, Titan International and Sailun signals resilient demand in key niches as UK distributors finalise winter stock and fleets prepare for 2026 sustainability requirements.
Hankook Tire & Technology reported consolidated revenue of KRW 5.4127 trillion (approximately £2.85 billion) and operating profit of KRW 585.9 billion (approximately £309 million) for the third quarter. The company's tyre division achieved a quarterly record with KRW 2.7070 trillion in sales (approximately £1.43 billion) and KRW 519.2 billion in operating profit.
The performance was underpinned by strong demand for larger rim sizes and electric vehicle tyres, which accounted for 47.4 per cent and 27 per cent of passenger car and light truck (PCLT) sales respectively. Hankook said ≥18-inch tyres now represent nearly half its PCLT volume, whilst EV-specific fitments have grown to more than a quarter of the mix.
Lower raw material and logistics costs also contributed to the improved margins. The company said it expanded original equipment EV fitments during the period, positioning itself for continued growth in the electric vehicle segment.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company posted a third-quarter net loss of US$2.2 billion (approximately £1.7 billion), driven largely by non-cash items and exceptional charges. However, management highlighted that its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) business returned to profitability on steadier European replacement demand and an improved product mix.
Despite the headline loss, Goodyear executives framed Europe as a relative bright spot in a challenging global environment, suggesting that the region's premium replacement market is stabilising after a prolonged period of inventory correction and economic uncertainty.
Continental AG recorded a quarterly net loss after recognising approximately €1.1 billion (approximately £920 million) of restructuring and special effects linked to its ongoing portfolio realignment. The charges included costs related to the Aumovio and OESL initiatives, part of the German group's multi-year transformation programme.
Operationally, Continental delivered €5.0 billion in sales with €565 million in adjusted EBIT, highlighting progress against its strategic reset. The company continues to streamline its business structure and shed non-core activities as it focuses on higher-margin segments.
Nexen Tire's third-quarter sales rose 10 per cent year-on-year to KRW 780.7 billion (approximately £412 million), reflecting stable replacement demand and a firmer product mix. The South Korean manufacturer flagged continued momentum heading into the winter season, suggesting that its competitive positioning in the mid-market segment remains intact.
Off-highway specialist Titan International delivered third-quarter revenue of US$466 million (approximately £368 million), up 4 per cent year-on-year, with gross margin at 15.2 per cent and adjusted EBITDA of US$30 million.
"Our Q3 2025 results were at the high end of our expectations," said president and chief executive officer Paul Reitz. The performance signals resilient demand in the agricultural and construction equipment segments, supported by ongoing harvest activity and winter infrastructure works.
Chinese manufacturer Sailun reported third-quarter operating revenue of RMB 10.0 billion (approximately £1.08 billion), up 18 per cent year-on-year, with tyre sales – both self-produced and traded – accounting for the vast majority of the total. The update underlines Sailun's continued competitiveness in value-focused passenger car and light commercial vehicle segments, maintaining pressure on mid-market pricing across Europe.
For UK buyers, the results carry several practical implications. Hankook's product mix shift and growing OE EV presence suggest broader availability of high-inch and EV-ready replacement tyres, addressing a segment that continues to expand rapidly as electric vehicle adoption accelerates.
Goodyear's return to profitability in EMEA indicates supply continuity among premium brands, even as the group's consolidated figures absorb exceptional items. Meanwhile, Continental's one-off charges point to potential near-term pricing variability as the manufacturer works through its transformation programme.
Nexen and Sailun's growth keeps competitive pressure on mid-market pricing, benefiting fleet operators and independent dealers seeking value alternatives. Titan's delivery signals that off-highway demand remains resilient despite broader economic uncertainty, supporting the agricultural and construction sectors through the winter period.
Procurement strategies will continue to be shaped by the UK ZEV mandate and the Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes framework heading into 2026. Recent government updates have clarified compliance pathways for car and van manufacturers, as well as the flexibilities available to meet targets – knowledge that will inform both original equipment and replacement planning.
For fleet operators, tyre selection will increasingly need to balance performance, durability and rolling resistance characteristics that support emissions reporting and sustainability commitments, whilst dealers must ensure their product ranges can meet evolving customer requirements.
As the industry enters the final months of 2025, these third-quarter results suggest a market in transition: premium manufacturers are stabilising after restructuring, Asian producers are gaining share through competitive pricing and targeted product development, and the shift towards larger rim sizes and EV-specific tyres is accelerating across all segments.
Tagged with: Q3 2025 results, Goodyear EMEA, Continental realignment, Nexen sales growth, Titan International earnings, Sailun revenue, European tyre market, replacement demand, off-highway tyres, OE and replacement
Disclaimer: This content may include forward-looking statements. Views expressed are not verified or endorsed by Tyre News Media.
