Pakistan Enters Top 10 TBR Tyre Exporters to US, Brazil as Service Long March Drives Export Surge

KARACHI: Pakistan has emerged among the top 10 exporters of truck and bus radial (TBR) tyres to key global markets including the United States and Brazil, marking a significant shift in the country’s industrial and export landscape.

Industry data indicates that Pakistani tyre exports have gained traction in recent years, with the United States and Brazil now among the largest destinations.

At the centre of this momentum is Service Long March Tyres Limited (SLM), the country’s largest tyre manufacturer and exporter, which has rapidly expanded its international footprint since commencing operations in 2022. The company has recorded strong export growth across the United States, Brazil, as well as emerging markets such as South Africa and Egypt.

The export push has been supported by compliance with stringent international standards, including certifications required for entry into regulated markets such as the US and Brazil, where quality and performance benchmarks remain critical for market access.

Service Long March Tyres (SLM) is leveraging state-of-the-art Chinese technology to maintain one of the lowest production cost structures among tyre manufacturers in Pakistan, providing the company a strong competitive advantage in international markets and enabling it to export nearly 40% of its truck and bus radial (TBR) tyre production.

Domestically, Pakistan’s tyre market continues to present significant scale. Annual demand is estimated at around 1.7 million units in the truck and bus segment, alongside approximately 7 million units for passenger vehicles. Historically, a large portion of this demand was met through imports, but local manufacturing is increasingly replacing imported volumes.

SLM currently produces approximately 1.6 million TBR tyres annually and plans to expand capacity to 2 million units by July 2026 and 2.2 million units by June 2027. The company holds an estimated 58% share in the domestic TBR segment, positioning it as a key player in Pakistan’s import substitution efforts and foreign exchange savings.

The company’s manufacturing facility in the Nooriabad Special Economic Zone provides logistical and cost advantages, supporting both domestic distribution and export competitiveness.

Industry analysts note that the combination of rising exports, capacity expansion, and import substitution is gradually repositioning Pakistan’s tyre sector as a potential contributor to foreign exchange earnings.

With further planned expansion into passenger car tyre manufacturing, alongside continued growth in commercial tyre output, Pakistan’s tyre industry is expected to strengthen its presence in global markets, reflecting a broader shift toward export-led industrial growth.