The Romanian automotive industry marks a major success: just one year after the start of production, the Nokian Tyres factory in Oradea produced the 1,000,000th tire. This success confirms the rapid pace of development of the most modern production unit in the Finnish group's portfolio and positions Romania as a strategic point on the world map of premium tires.
Although many associate them with winter performance, the story of the Finns is one of global pioneering. Nokian Tyres is the inventor of the world's first winter tire (in 1934) and remains the only tire manufacturer focused on products that provide safety in difficult road conditions (snow, ice or heavy rain).
The company has roots in Finland and is recognized today not only for innovation but also for sustainability. The Oradea plant is the first in the world to operate with zero CO2 emissions, using exclusively renewable energy and technological processes that eliminate the use of fossil-fueled steam boilers.
The evolution of the Oradea plant has been explosive. It all started in July 2024, when the first tire rolled off the production line. The event was followed by the official inauguration in September 2024, and in the spring of 2025, the first sets of "Made in Romania" tires were already reaching customers in Central Europe.
Reaching the one million unit threshold in such a short period of time demonstrates the efficiency of the over 500 employees (a number that will increase to approximately 550 once maximum capacity is reached) and the cutting-edge technology implemented in Bihor.
The Finns' plans for Oradea are ambitious. The total investment, valued at approximately 650 million euros, aims to transform this location into the main production hub for the European market.
Maximum capacity: 6 million tires annually.
Time horizon: 2027.
Flexibility: The infrastructure was designed to allow easy expansion in the future, depending on market demand.
The tires produced in Oradea are mainly intended for passenger cars and SUVs, with a particular emphasis on the premium segment, where Nokian Tyres holds a solid market share thanks to rigorous testing carried out in their "White Hell" test center in Lapland.
Nokian Tyres' success is not just a turnover, but a signal of confidence for major foreign investors. Choosing Romania for the world's first zero-emission tire plant demonstrates that our country offers a skilled workforce and logistical advantages essential for the green economy of the future.