I. Core Trend: Cambodia Emerges as New Hub for Tire Production
Amid the wave of global supply chain restructuring in Southeast Asia, Chinese tire companies are significantly shifting their capacity layout. To date, the number of Chinese tire enterprises establishing production in Cambodia has surpassed that of Thailand, reaching nearly 10, with 6 already in operation and several other projects under construction or planning. This indicates that Cambodia is rapidly transforming from an emerging base into a key hub for the Chinese tire industry to mitigate trade risks and optimize its global footprint.
II. Cambodia Tire Factory Profiles & Capacity Data
The following is an overview of specific data from major Chinese tire companies’ investment projects in Cambodia, listed in order of operational/construction timeline:
1. Sailun Group
Location: Cambodia
Operational Date: November 2021
Designed Capacity: 9 million high-performance semi-steel radial tires annually
Note: The first China tire factory to commence production in Cambodia.
2. General Tire
Location: Cambodia
Operational Date: May 2023
Designed Capacity: 5 million semi-steel radial tires and 900,000 all-steel radial tires annually.
3. Frico Tire
Location: Cambodia
Operational Date: December 2023
Designed Capacity: Radial TBR Tires 6 million tires annually.
4. Doublestar Group
Location: Kratie Special Economic Zone, Cambodia
Operational Date: September 2024
Designed Capacity: 8.5 million high-performance radial tires annually.
Note: Its first independently built overseas China tire factory.
5. Wanli Tire
Location: Cambodia
Current Status: Under construction (first tire rolled off in October 2025)
Designed Capacity: Planned 12 million semi-steel radial tires annually.
Planned Operation: 2026.
6. ZODO Tire
Location: Cambodia
Operational Date: November 2025 (Phase I)
Designed Capacity:
Phase I: 13.5 million semi-steel radial tires annually.
Phase II (under construction): 6.5 million semi-steel and 1.5 million all-steel radial tires annually.
Note: Its first overseas base.
7. Firemax Tire
Location: Cambodia
Current Status: Under construction (foundation laid in April 2024)
Designed Capacity: Planned 8 million semi-steel radial tires and 1.2 million all-steel radial tires annually.
Planned Operation: May 2025.
8. Jiangsu Topower Tire
Location: Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia
Current Status: Investment announced (February 2025)
Project: Invest $10 million to establish subsidiaries for high-performance solid tires and related industrial real estate.
9. Shandong Xinlu Continental Rubber Technology
Location: Cambodia
Current Status: Registration completed
Designed Capacity: Planned 4.5 million semi-steel radial tires annually.
III. Strategic Drivers for Investment in Cambodia Tire Manufacturing
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Evading Trade Barriers: After the U.S. imposed anti-dumping duties of 1.2%–4.52% on Thai tires and countervailing duties of 6.23%–7.89% on Vietnamese tires, Cambodia—which remains unaffected and benefits from U.S. GSP treatment—has become a key alternative for tire production.
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Cost and Supply Chain Advantages: With factory wages averaging $200–$250 per month and local natural rubber production reducing raw material costs, Cambodia offers a competitive base for tire manufacturing.
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Favorable Market Access: Cambodia’s trade preferences facilitate smoother entry of tires made in Cambodia into major markets like the U.S. and the EU.
IV. Market Impact of Cambodia Tire Production Expansion
The shift in capacity is directly reflected in trade data. In 2024, the U.S. imported approximately 12.7 million semi-steel Cambodia tire units from Cambodia, a 76% year-on-year increase, while imports of all-steel tires surged more than 15-fold. In the first half of 2025, Cambodia’s exports of truck and bus tires to the U.S. grew by another 182% year-on-year.
V. Conclusion
Overall, the concentrated investment by Chinese tire companies in Cambodia is a strategic choice based on trade policies, costs, and supply chain considerations. As the under-construction capacities gradually come online, the overall output and export share of Cambodia tire manufacturers are expected to continue rising, further reshaping the regional landscape of the global tire industry. This layout not only helps Chinese companies build a more resilient international supply chain but also fosters industrial clustering locally, driving Cambodia’s industrialization process. The growth of Cambodia tire manufacturers is closely linked to these strategic investments.
