Bridgestone Corporation is officially exiting the commercial tire manufacturing business in China, finalizing a deal to transfer all shares of its previously shuttered truck and bus radial (TBR) tire plant in Shenyang to Sailun Group for 265 million CNY (approx. $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 globally.
What Sailun Gets
Sailun (Shenyang) Tire Co., Ltd., a Shenyang-based subsidiary of Qingdao-headquartered Sailun Group Co. Ltd., will acquire 100% ownership of the Bridgestone (Shenyang) Tire Co., Ltd. (BSSY) shares. The subsidiary is engaged in tire production, rubber R&D, mold development, and related services. Sailun expects to close the deal by July 31, 2025, pending final approvals.
Bridgestone said in its filing of the sale that this will have a “minor” impact on its 2025 financial results.
Why The Bridgestone Shenyang Plant Sale Matters
For tire dealers watching the balance of global production power, this sale may have long-term implications:
- Bridgestone’s withdrawal from Chinese TBR production may reduce competitiveness in Asia’s largest commercial tire market. It may also increase Bridgestone’s reliance on global supply chains.
- 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 U.S.
- Sailun’s growing presence in global OE and replacement channels may lead to more competitive pricing. It could also improve product availability in the markets where Sailun is distributed.
Background on the Plant
Bridgestone founded BSSY in 1996 and operated it as a wholly owned subsidiary through Bridgestone (China) Investment Co., Ltd. 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.
Bridgestone reported that by FY2024, BSSY net sales were 23 million CNY (approx. $3.2 million), while operating losses were nearly 493 million CNY (approx. $68.6 million). Its total assets shrank over a three-year period, from 1.58 billion CNY (approx. $220 million) in 2022 to 930 million CNY (approx. $129.5 million) in 2024.
