Lego is best known for making colorful plastic bricks that children and adults use to build different creations. However, many people do not know that Lego is also the world’s largest tire manufacturer. Every year, Lego produces over 318 million rubber tires for its toy vehicles, a number much higher than what major real tire companies like Bridgestone, Michelin, or Goodyear manufacture. Even though Lego’s tires are small and used for toy cars, the company still holds the record for making the most tires in the world.
Lego started producing toy vehicles in the 1960s, but these vehicles originally had hard plastic wheels. In 1974, Lego introduced rubber tires, which made their toy cars, trucks, and motorcycles more realistic and fun to play with. Over time, as Lego sets became more detailed, the demand for different types of tires increased. Today, Lego produces tires for all kinds of vehicles, including sports cars, off-road trucks, motorcycles, construction vehicles, and even futuristic space rovers. These tires come in many different sizes and designs, just like real tires.
Each year, Lego manufactures more than 318 million tires, which means the company produces about 870,000 tires per day. This is an incredible number when compared to the world’s biggest real tire manufacturers. Bridgestone, one of the largest real tire companies, produces around 190 million tires per year, while Michelin produces about 170 million, and Goodyear makes around 150 million. Despite the fact that Lego’s tires are much smaller than car or truck tires, the sheer volume of production makes them the biggest tire manufacturer by numbers.
Lego tires are made from rubber, similar to real tires, but they are softer and designed for play. In the past, the company used synthetic rubber, but now Lego is working on using plant-based materials to make its tires more environmentally friendly. By 2030, Lego aims to produce all of its products, including tires, using sustainable materials that do not harm the environment. This shift is part of Lego’s long-term commitment to reducing plastic waste and making their toys more eco-friendly.
There are many different types of Lego tires, designed for different kinds of toy vehicles. The most common type is the standard car tire, which is used in small Lego cars and trucks. There are also off-road tires, which are thicker and have deep treads for vehicles like SUVs and adventure trucks. Motorcycle tires are made specifically for Lego motorbikes, while Formula 1 tires are smooth and designed for Lego racing cars. Lego even produces monster truck tires, which are large and rugged to match the toy versions of real monster trucks. Each of these tires is carefully designed to make Lego vehicles look and function more realistically.
Lego’s achievement as the world’s largest tire manufacturer is impressive for many reasons. First, the sheer number of tires they produce is greater than any real tire company in the world. Second, their variety of tires allows for more creativity, as children and collectors can build and customize their own vehicles. Third, Lego’s focus on sustainability means that in the future, even toy tires will be made with environmentally friendly materials. Lastly, the company continues to innovate, introducing new designs that make their toy vehicles more fun and interactive.
Even though Lego tires will never be used on real cars, their production highlights the company’s incredible success and influence in the toy industry. What started as a simple way to improve toy vehicles has turned into a world record for tire manufacturing. With over 318 million tires made each year, Lego has secured its place as the largest tire manufacturer in the world, proving that even small things can have a big impact.
