Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
If they weren't a good value, a fleet would not use them.
If they are getting Westlake tires for 1/3 the price of Michelin and they last 1/2 as long, on paper, they are less expensive. On paper, they look like a better value. But if they are more prone to air-outs, leaks, delaminations.....etc, despite what the numbers say, they are putting the lives of everybody operating a motor vehicle in the vicinity of that truck at higher risk. That negates the value part and just means they got away with running cheap tires because the bean counters say so.
Quote:
Please describe, in detail, your experience with Westlake tires. Be specific.
Why would I use a Chinese tire like Westlake? I am not a person who puts the lives of my family members at risk over the cost of the rubber on my vehicle. If that's how you roll, well then I guess that's your choice then isn't it? I on the other hand will continue to buy the best tires I can afford.
I'll leave you with the CTV advisory for Westlake tires however:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/tires-recalled-in-u-s-still-sold-in-canada-1.246732
Quote:
The Chinese plant that manufactures the tires has been accused of neglecting gum strips -- the material that helps hold the belts of tires together.
And a few other links:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/feds-order-at-least-4-tire-brands-recalled/
Note that the company that actually manufactured the tires didn't recall them. When Goodyear/Michelin/Cooper....etc discover they've screwed up, they recall a product. In this case it is the Government having to do it because the guy selling you the dirt cheap fresh off the boat tires doesn't have the resources to actually perform a recall, let alone inspect the product he's selling you. And the company that makes them doesn't care.
Quote:
The head of the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) told a Senate committee last month that federal safety regulations are not adequate to deal with motor vehicle equipment importers refusing to recall defective products.
Tires made by Hangzhou Zhongce were imported to the U.S. by Foreign Tire Sales but the New Jersey company says it is unable to conduct a thorough recall because of a lack of money.
There is no responsibility or accountability here. That is a HUGE issue. Just like with the poison pet food, lead paint on children's toys, melamine tainted milk products....etc, there is so much RISK associated with using Chinese-sourced products, but you continue to see these things because it is hard to turn down the idea of padding your bottom-line when given the opportunity.
Companies that are successful in utilizing inexpensive Chinese labour for manufacture have gone to GREAT expense to ensure consistent quality control with multiple checks in place. Companies like Apple and Cisco, both of which have been using Chinese labour for quite some time are responsible corporate entities that can be held accountable for the quality and performance of their products. Their products are not brokered through some fly-by-night sales operation looking to undercut everybody in the business with no regard for what they are selling, which is exactly what happened with the Westlake tire situation.
