The greater prices consistently found in those markets result in higher profitability compared to the rest of the tyre industry.

Car tyre production began in 1932 by Suomen Gummitehdas Oy (Finnish Rubber Works Ltd).

[2] In 1865, mining engineer Fredrik Idestam established a groundwood pulp mill on the banks of the Tammerkoski rapids in the town of Tampere, in southwestern Finland.

[3] In 1868, Idestam built a second mill near the town of Nokia, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) west of Tampere by the Nokianvirta River, which had better resources for hydroelectric production.

[7] In 1967, Suomen Kumitehdas Oy (originally called Suomen Gummitehdas Oy, Finnish Rubber Works in English) merged with Kaapelitehdas (The Cable Company) and the forest and power industry company Nokia Aktiebolag to create Nokia Corporation.

[9][10] Bridgestone announced that Nokian Tyres would be operated independently, but it would consider complementing the company's product development, testing, and distribution.

[18][19] In 2009, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta tyre model line received the "List of trademarks with a reputation" status by the National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland.

[22] Nokian initially continued its operations in Russia, expressing that it wished to retain control over its factories and ensure they were not used for military purposes.

[24] As of 2008, Nokian is the most profitable tyre manufacturer in the world,[25][26] at up to 18% earnings (before taxes and interest) relative to sales, compared to 14% at Bridgestone, 8% at Michelin, and 9.6% at Continental.

[10] In 2010, Nokian Tyres profits were €167.9 million on sales of €1.058 billion, an increase in revenues of 32.5% on the previous year.

[37][38][39] Nokian also has designed some winter tyre models with low rolling resistance, offering lower fuel consumption.

Used as plasticising agents in tread production and to facilitate the compounding of rubber, they contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a carcinogen, and have been replaced by low-aromatic oils.

[41] In 2006, Nokian Tyres received a commendation in the Finnish round of the European Business Awards for the Environment.

The Finnish, Swedish, and Norwegian markets contributed over 40% of Nokian Tyres' corporate net sales in 2008.

[10] CEO Kim Gran describes the Russian consumer as having a "love affair" with the Nokian brand citing that it stems from tyres which suit the local weather conditions and a genuine need in the market.

Nokian Tyres produces a number of product lines, including the Tractor Industrial 2 and Country King.

[60] Beginning from 18 September 2019 LieksaTyres Oy (Lieksa Tyres Ltd) continued the bicycle tire development and manufacturing with Suomi Tyres[61][62] brand name, using the original toolings and production lines until rising energy prices and material costs forced it to filed bankruptcy in 18 April 2023.

[63] In November of 2023 WRC rally car tire manufacturer DMACK announced the acquisition of the bankruptcy estates of Lieksa Tyres Ltd.

[70] Countries with only franchised outlets include Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Moldova, Georgia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia and Bulgaria.

[76] The plant uses radio frequency devices to monitor the inventory of materials used to manufacture tyres, such as the 100-metre long strips of rubber tread.

Shortages of rubber tread can halt production and so keeping an adequate supply of materials increases efficiency.

[72] In 2006, it expanded its facilities there, adding a mixing department and a 19,000-square-metre (200,000 sq ft) warehouse capable of housing 600,000 tyres.

The Vsevolozhsk factory manufactures Nokian-branded car tyres, in 2006 the majority of which were sold in Russia and countries of the former USSR.

[80] Nokian plans to build 300 housing units and sell them to employees at cost as part of the Russian factory expansion that was scheduled to be completed by 2011.

[82][83] In May 2017, Nokian announced the construction of a new factory in Dayton, Tennessee, with an annual production capacity of 4 million tyres.

[85] Nokian began hiring workers for the plant in February 2019, and sent its first group of employees for training to its Finnish and Russian factories in May 2019.