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Does LEGO Produce the Most Tires in the World?

Yes—by number of tires produced per year, LEGO is widely recognized as the world’s largest tire manufacturer, thanks to the tiny tires used in its toy sets. This refers to unit count, not the size, weight, or value of the tires, and the distinction has been upheld in records and reporting with no credible evidence of a change as of 2025.

What “most tires” actually means

When people say LEGO makes the most tires, they mean the company produces more individual tire pieces per year than any other manufacturer. These are small toy tires made of plastics and elastomers, not automotive-grade rubber tires for cars or trucks. By mass, material volume, and revenue, traditional tire companies like Michelin, Bridgestone, and Goodyear dominate the market.

The record and current status

LEGO’s status stems from Guinness World Records recognition for producing the most tires in a single year by unit count, based on production in 2010 that exceeded 300 million toy tires. Since then, LEGO has consistently produced hundreds of millions of tires annually for its sets, and the company continues to be cited as the largest tire maker by unit count. There has been no widely reported update indicating that a traditional tire manufacturer has surpassed LEGO on unit volume.

What counts as a “LEGO tire”

LEGO’s tally includes the small wheels and tires found across themes such as City, Technic, and Speed Champions. These are typically made from synthetic rubber-like materials (such as thermoplastic elastomers and other polymers) designed for durability, safety, and clutch performance with LEGO elements.

How LEGO compares with traditional tire makers

Comparisons can be confusing without context. Here’s how LEGO’s lead in unit count sits alongside other metrics.

  • By units produced: LEGO exceeds any single automotive tire manufacturer in sheer number of tires made per year.
  • By mass and materials: Automotive tire makers produce vastly more rubber by weight; a single car tire outweighs dozens of LEGO tires.
  • By value and industrial complexity: Companies like Michelin, Bridgestone, and Goodyear dominate in revenue, engineering complexity, performance, and safety standards for real vehicles.

Taken together, LEGO leads in countable pieces, while traditional tire manufacturers lead in every industrial measure relevant to transportation.

Why LEGO’s unit count is so high

LEGO’s production model naturally yields a very high number of tire pieces each year. Several factors contribute to this outsized count.

  • Product mix: Many LEGO sets include multiple wheels and tires, especially in vehicle-heavy themes.
  • Part size: Each tire is a small component, enabling high-output injection molding cycles.
  • Global scale: LEGO distributes to markets worldwide, amplifying total parts demand.
  • Longevity: Wheels and tires are perennial parts that recur across generations of sets.

These dynamics allow LEGO to rack up unit totals that outpace any single automotive tire maker, even though the parts serve a completely different purpose.

Caveats and FAQs

LEGO’s tires are not automotive products and are not designed for load-bearing, traction, or road safety. They are toy components with different materials and performance criteria. While LEGO has public sustainability goals and has experimented with alternative materials for various elements, its toy tires remain polymer-based parts optimized for play and durability rather than vehicle performance.

Summary

LEGO does produce the most tires in the world when measured by the number of units manufactured per year, a status established by Guinness World Records and still reflected in current reporting. This title applies strictly to unit count of toy tires; traditional tire companies remain dominant by material volume, industrial complexity, and revenue.

What toy company makes the most tires?

LEGO manufactures hundreds of millions of tiny tires every year, making it the largest tire producer on the planet—more than any car company!

Does Lego make the most tyres?

Yes, Lego is the world’s largest manufacturer of tires by volume, producing over 318 million tiny rubber tires annually for its toy sets, a figure that significantly surpasses major automotive tire companies like Michelin or Goodyear. The company holds this distinction by producing tires for its numerous vehicle-themed playsets, a volume recognized by Guinness World Records https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/100909-largest-tyre-manufacture -per-annum in 2012.
 
Why Lego is the largest tire manufacturer

  • High Production Volume: Lego produces hundreds of millions of small tires each year, far more than any other single company in the world. 
  • Popularity of Vehicle Sets: Many Lego sets include vehicles that require these miniature tires, driving the immense demand for them. 
  • Efficient Manufacturing: The company is highly efficient at producing these tires on a massive scale to meet global demand. 
  • Historical Recognition: Lego’s status was officially recognized with a Guinness World Record https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/100909-largest-tyre-manufacture -per-annum in 2012 for being the largest tire manufacturer. 

Key distinctions 

  • By number vs. by weight/volume: Opens in new tabLego is the largest by the number of tires produced, not by the total weight or volume of rubber used in tires compared to traditional manufacturers.
  • Toy vs. real vehicles: Opens in new tabLego’s tires are designed for toys, not for real-world vehicles, but they still qualify as tires by definition.

What company makes the most tires in the world?

The LEGO Group is the company that makes the most tires in the world by volume, producing over 300 million miniature tires annually for its toy sets. In contrast, companies like Michelin and Bridgestone are the largest by sales revenue and market share in the actual automotive tire industry.
 
LEGO: The Largest by Volume

  • Massive Numbers: Opens in new tabLEGO produces far more tires by unit count than any other company, with figures often cited as over 300 million per year. 
  • Guinness World Record: Opens in new tabThis incredible volume has earned LEGO recognition from Guinness World Records as the world’s largest tire manufacturer by annual volume. 
  • Tiny Tires: Opens in new tabThe sheer number is due to the small size of the tires and their inclusion in a vast number of LEGO vehicle sets. 

Michelin & Bridgestone: Leaders in the Automotive Tire Market 

  • By Sales Revenue: Opens in new tabWhen it comes to actual tires for cars, trucks, and other vehicles, companies like Michelin and Bridgestone lead the market based on sales revenue.
  • Market Share: Opens in new tabMichelin is often cited as the top tire maker in the world by sales, followed closely by Bridgestone.

Who is the largest producer of car tires?

Leading Tire Manufacturers by Sales Volume

  • Michelin. As of 2022, Michelin holds the largest share of the global tire market, accounting for 15.1% of sales.
  • Bridgestone. Bridgestone, a Japanese multinational, closely follows with a 14.2% share of the global tire market.
  • Goodyear.
  • Continental.
  • Sumitomo Rubber Industries.

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