Japan’s Bridgestone Corporation is officially exiting the commercial tyre manufacturing business in China, with a deal to transfer all shares of its previously closed truck and bus radial (TBR) tyre plant in Shenyang to Sailun Group for 265 million CNY (approx. US$37 million).
The Bridgestone Shenyang plant sale signals a continued strategic retreat by Bridgestone from China’s commercial vehicle sector and a ramp-up by Sailun, which has aggressively pursued growth both domestically and abroad.
Sailun (Shenyang) Tire Co, a subsidiary of Qingdao-headquartered Sailun Group Co, will acquire 100% ownership of Bridgestone (Shenyang) Tire Co. The subsidiary is engaged in tyre production, rubber R&D, mould development, and related services. Sailun expects to close the deal by July 31, 2025, pending final approvals.
It is expected that Bridgestone’s withdrawal from Chinese TBR production may reduce competitiveness in Asia’s largest commercial tyre market. It may also increase Bridgestone’s reliance on global supply chains.
Meanwhile, Sailun’s acquisition boosts its capacity and footprint. It may expand the company’s ability to produce and export TBR products domestically and internationally, including to the US.
Bridgestone founded the plant in 1996 and operated it as a wholly owned subsidiary through Bridgestone (China) Investment Co. The company ceased production at the plant in 2024 as part of a broader plan, first announced in February 2024, to exit its TBR operations in China entirely.