“Here, you can find practically all the most advanced tires at 30 to 40 percent off world market prices,“ said a Russian buyer named Ivanov, highlighting a disruptive value proposition.

　　At Shandong Huasheng Rubber Group's booth, engineers showcase self-sealing tires using polymer composites and specially-engineered foam noise-reduction inserts, a technology once monopolized by premium brands. “Many Chinese manufacturers can now achieve comparable or even superior results through independent R&D,“ explained Liu Kaihua with the company.

　　International buyers have taken notice of this qualitative leap. “Guangrao tires are reaching new heights in quality and performance. Those premium tires priced from 1,000 yuan upwards deliver outstanding value at every price point,“ Musa said.

　　Behind Guangrao's rise are dedication to innovation and the accelerating pace of intelligent transformation among Chinese tire manufacturers -- a tech overhaul supported by the government.

　　In 2015, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology included the tire industry in its smart manufacturing pilot program, driving intelligent transformation through policy guidance, standardization and financial support. A 2024 guideline further outlined plans to modernize outdated tire manufacturing equipment, targeting over 85 percent digitalization of key processes by 2027.

　　The Guangrao-based Shandong Yongsheng Rubber Group Co., Ltd. has completed a smart retrofit for its radial tire line, replacing 182 core machines and deploying automated logistics, achieving major efficiency gains. “The IoT-enabled machinery and automatic guided vehicles have slashed labor needs,“ said Hao Yufeng, who oversees the company's smart manufacturing, noting that their core equipment is 95 percent digitally controlled.