August 2025, Goodyear announced the impending closure of this manufacturing plant, marking the end of local production after decades of operation. The decision to shift the business model to importing tyres instead of manufacturing them locally has significant ramifications for employees, the local economy, and South Africa’s industrial sector.
Goodyear South Africa has been a significant player in the country’s manufacturing landscape since it established operations in South Africa over 70 years ago. Entering the market in the early 1950s, Goodyear brought advanced tyre technology and created thousands of jobs, contributing to the growth of local industrial capabilities. The company’s Kariega plant in the Eastern Cape became a cornerstone of South Africa’s automotive supply chain.
Timeline of Goodyear South Africa’s Journey and Closure
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Early 1950s: Goodyear establishes operations in South Africa, opening its Kariega plant and investing in local jobs and production capabilities.
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1970s-1980s: Goodyear South Africa grows as a major tyre supplier across the country and region, becoming a fixture in the automotive sector.
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2000s: The company expands its product range and upgrades its manufacturing technology to keep pace with global standards.
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2010s: Growing challenges arise from global competition, rising input costs, and shifting market dynamics; tariff and trade negotiations begin affecting the sector.
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2023: South Africa imposes anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese tyre imports to protect local manufacturers, including Goodyear.
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June 2, 2025: Goodyear announces the planned closure of its Kariega plant, citing economic reasons and a transition to an import-based business model.
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June 13, 2025: NUMSA receives retrenchment notices for over 900 employees and initiates negotiations seeking fair severance and support measures.
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August 13, 2025: Union leaders engage with Goodyear management as public pressure mounts to save the plant.
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August 18, 2025: NUMSA secures improved severance packages ahead of the scheduled plant closure.
The closure signals a challenging future for South Africa’s manufacturing industry, particularly in automotive components. Despite efforts to protect local industry with trade policies, global pressures and cost dynamics have made sustained local manufacturing increasingly difficult. Workers, unions, and communities affected by this closure now face an uncertain future as efforts continue to seek alternatives or mitigation.
Goodyear’s departure underlines the need for renewed industrial strategies that safeguard jobs while adapting to changing global markets. It also highlights the importance of supporting workers through retraining programs and social protections during industrial transitions.
