Gnet, we do not know if the private label tires are indeed the same as the major label tires. They might be more cheaply made. Or, maybe not.
The tire makers have multiple brands that are not private labels:
Goodyear/Kelly/Dunlop
Michelin/BFGoodrich/Uniroyal
Bridgestone/Firestone/Fuzion
Cooper/Dean/Mastercraft/Avon
In addition, they do make private label tires for large retailers and wholesalers. Here are some examples:
Multi-Mile, Cordovan, Sigma, Vanderbilt for TBC Corp.
http://www.tbcprivatebrands.com/
Hercules...http://www.herculestire.com/about-hercules/our-divisions/
In the past Discount Tire Co. had the private labels of Arizonan and Fisk.
Also, the tire makes produce private line tires for Sears, Walmart, Discount Tire, etc. You'll see certain GY tires only available at Walmart. Certain Michelin tires only available at Sears. Certain Cooper tires only available at Discount Tire. Tirerack had Avon. Again, we do not know if these are exactly the same as the regular tires from those makers.
Here's how to find out who makes what--look at the first two letters or number & letter in the DOT code on the tire's sidewall:
http://www.harriger.com/tires.htm
