Tyres for passenger cars market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The Slovak market for passenger car tyres saw significant volume changes from 2020 to 2024. Market volume increased to 14.1 million units in 2021, largely due to the implementation of the EU tyre labelling regulation (EU-tyre-label), which required manufacturers to display energy efficiency grades on new tyres starting May 2021. This prompted a wave of replacements as consumers updated their tyres to meet the new standards. The market then contracted to 12.0 million units in 2022, while legislative conditions for winter tyres remained unchanged, continuing to accept the M+S and 3PMSF markings without mandatory replacement.

Market volume rebounded to 14.2 million units in 2023 amid public discussions about impending European rules that would mandate the alpine symbol (3PMSF) for all new winter tyres from October 2024. This likely spurred advance purchases. In 2024, volume dropped sharply to 10.5 million units following the enforcement of the new EU technical requirements (Regulation 117-04), which made the 3PMSF symbol compulsory for new winter tyres. Media warnings about potential fines for using incorrectly marked tyres and clarifications from major manufacturers like Continental created consumer uncertainty, influencing demand during the transition period.

Production tyres for passenger cars in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Annual dynamics of production in Slovakia in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Exports tyres for passenger cars from Slovakia

Exports in kind, K unit

Exports of passenger car tyres from Slovakia fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the export volume was 10 595 thousand units, marking a significant 15.0% drop compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 24.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 9.1%. The highest growth was observed in 2018, with a 0.0% increase.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Slovakia in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia's passenger car tyre exports reached a diverse range of buyers. Germany accounted for 27.1% of exports in kind, Czechia for 16.2%, and Poland for 6.1%. Together, these three countries made up just 49.4% of total exports in kind, with many other nations holding smaller but notable shares.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Slovakia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of passenger car tyres from Slovakia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the export value amounted to 545.0 million US dollars, down 13.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 24.1%, averaging an 8.8% annual decrease. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 722.7 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 0.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Slovakia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market base for Slovakia's passenger car tyre exports in value terms was broad from 2017 to 2020. Germany contributed 27.0% of exports in value, Czechia 15.0%, and the United States 5.6%. Combined, these three countries represented only 47.5% of total export flows, while the remaining 52.5% was distributed among numerous other countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Slovakia in value, 2017-2020

Imports tyres for passenger cars to Slovakia

Imports in kind, K unit

Imports of passenger car tyres into Slovakia decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the import volume reached 9 140 thousand units, an 18.6% year-on-year decline. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 19.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.8%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 12 646 thousand units, with the largest increase that year at 12.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Slovakia in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that Slovakia's imports of passenger car tyres in kind were not heavily concentrated. Germany made up 18.5% of imports in kind, Czechia 14.5%, and Spain 12.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for only 45.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Slovakia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of passenger car tyres into Slovakia dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 487.7 million US dollars, a 15.0% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 6.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.3%. The maximum value was in 2018 at 612.6 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 17.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Slovakia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated Slovakia's passenger car tyre imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 24.2% of imports in value, Czechia for 14.1%, and Spain for 10.3%. Combined, these three countries represented just 48.6% of total imports in value, with many smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Slovakia in value, 2017-2020