Tire industry in 5 years

[Finklejag]

What do you think the tire industry will look like in 5 years? I went on tires-easy.com and see they stock tire brands I have never heard of. Some of them are

Diamondback
Delta
Sunny
Nankang
Triangle
Wanli
Westlake
Delinte
Gerutti
Lexani
Duran
Achilles
Corsa
BCT
Doral
Atlas
etc.
etc.

Some of these names just scare me. Are the Chinese going to take over the US tire market? Will us North Americans buy the cheapest tire they can find? Will the tire tariffs help control the flood of these Chinese tires into the US?

I will not buy a tire from China, even the ones made by the big 5 tire companies. The only thing that is between myself and the road is the four tires. I buy tires from US, Canada, Western Europe, Japan, and Korea. I will stay away from tires from South America, Eastern Europe, China, and Southeast Asia.

 

[Bryanccfshr]

I will buy what is fit for purpose with little regard for point of origen or the politics of that geographical region. The best product at the most competetive price wins.

 

[jstutz]

Probably like something i dont want to see. I dont see how people dont see things like this as a major issue.

 

[Billbert]

Most of those brands are 'private label' tires, depending on who manufactures them and to what spec, they may be quality tires. Private label tires have beem around for at least 40 years.

 

[SLCraig]

Nankang has been around for quite a while. Wanli for a few years, and Triangle too.

(I know people who've used a tire from each of these brands)

Haven't heard of the rest tho. I personally will stick with brands I know better.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Billbert
Most of those brands are 'private label' tires, depending on who manufactures them and to what spec, they may be quality tires.


That's what keeps me away from private labels, at least now that I've got a family and a tighter budget: the unknown. Tires aren't all that expensive, but still, a few hundred bucks is money I don't really want to throw away. Plus, your tires are obviously the only link between you and the road. I bought a set of Regul tires for a...wait for it...Buick Regal when I was back in college. They were decent tires, and I liked them better than the Kelly Chargers that were on it, but not as good as the BFGoodrich Radial T/As I had on my Cutlass.

But back then, I was single and could afford to toss some money around experimenting. Safety wasn't a huge priority either...I just wanted tires that looked good and rode good. Now that my family rides on the tires I buy, I'm much more choosy. I stick to the brands that I know and trust, and it's icing on the cake that there's a lot of objective data out there on how tires from the major brands perform. I typically only buy Michelin tires, but actually, only one of my three vehicles is currently shod with Michelins...I have Firestones on the truck (Michelin doesn't make a tire in that size) and have Yokohama Avid TRZs on my Corolla. Because of excellent data on that tire, I always wanted to try it, and I got them super cheap via a discount through a friend.

You usually get what you pay for, in all aspects of life. If you only look at the first-cost of tires (whatever is cheapest to buy up front), you often pay more in the long run. Things like rolling resistance and safety are often not considered at the time of purchase, though they can often have huge impacts on the overall cost of ownership.

 

[nthach]

Sunny and Nankang are the same - Nankang has been making tires in China and Taiwan for quite a while. Lexanis are basically rebadged Nexens. America's/Discount Tire sells Warrior tires at the low end of the spectrum - made in China by a Michelin group company and distributed through the Michelin network.

The tire industry is consolidating and they are setting up shop in countries with lower labor costs, which in turn results in lower variable costs.

 

[GMGuy]

Quote:
That's what keeps me away from private labels, at least now that I've got a family and a tighter budget: the unknown.


Arm yourself with a printout of the DOT tire manufacturer plant codes. My "offbrand" Arctic Claw winter tires where made by Cooper. If the code translated to some unknown foreign manufacturer I'd have passed on them. (what led me to them initially was that I was looking for a non-directional snow tire).

Alex.

 

[Steve S]

All based in China.

 

[jcwit]

With the EPA working against U.S. industry, more than likely China will take over the tire industry and much more.

 

[tenderloin]

Next time you go to the market check out some of the frozen veggies. Broccoli and cauliflower from...yep...CHINA.

 

[LS2JSTS]

With all the farmland they've been buying lately....some of our very best btw. They won't even have to ship it here to sell it to us, the only shipping will be the cash profits back to China.

But they'll employ some people so it willl all work out, right?

 

[OVERKILL]

LOL

China will own us soon enough. And we will have only ourselves to blame.

 

[mechanicx]

True and the irony is so many consumer due to their tendency to go for the lowest price above all else now can't afford but to buy everything from China.

 

[grampi]

In 5-10 years NOTHING will be made in the USA and EVERYTHING will be made in China. We're almost there now. It's really sickening!

 

[benjamming]

grampi,

There is still quite a bit that is made in USA. Tires are usually very easy to find made in USA. TVs on the other hand, not so much.