I came across this episode on X-Machines . . . it features what is supposed to be the most state of the art tire factory in Thailand. Have to pity the poor backward third world folks ( sarc )
Tires From Thailand
- Thread starter HouseTiger
- Start date
A lot of stuff manufactured overseas, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, etc are actually of good quality and often times made in more advanced manufacturing facilities compared to the USA.
The problem is the more and more people start supporting overseas companies the more and more factories that will shut down and move overseas taking away jobs and making the USA less self sufficient.
So when you can afford it and when you can find a Made in USA option you should always consider buying made in USA first.
The problem is the more and more people start supporting overseas companies the more and more factories that will shut down and move overseas taking away jobs and making the USA less self sufficient.
So when you can afford it and when you can find a Made in USA option you should always consider buying made in USA first.
slo town
$200 Site Donor 2026
Mesmerizing. Humans can do some really nice stuff when they want to.
Interesting how the Thailand factory was so ultra modern and Pirelli's F1 tire factory looked like it was out of the stone age. That had to be old footage for Pirelli.
Scott
Interesting how the Thailand factory was so ultra modern and Pirelli's F1 tire factory looked like it was out of the stone age. That had to be old footage for Pirelli.
Scott
+1 Just bought a set of Cooper Endevour Plus for my Ford today.
Otani seems like bottom of the barrel - LingLong/Leao are also made in Thailand to bypass China tire tariffs.
However, Michelin, Sumitomo Rubber, Bridgestone and Conti have plants in Thailand. So does Yokohama. Cooper has Deestone make some tires in Thailand too. Thailand has been making pushbike tires for a while, Vee Rubber is the most well-known of them but if you buy a Conti/Michelin/Schwalbe/Vittoria tire for a bike, chances are it’s Thai. The only “European” made bike tires are Conti Grand Prix and Pirelli P Zero/Cinturato Velo. Same thing with motorcycle tires, unless it’s a high-end sports/dirt tire from Bridgestone, Dunlop, Metzeler(Pirelli) or the OE Harley tires from Dunlop, a lot of motorbike tires are from Thailand.
However, Michelin, Sumitomo Rubber, Bridgestone and Conti have plants in Thailand. So does Yokohama. Cooper has Deestone make some tires in Thailand too. Thailand has been making pushbike tires for a while, Vee Rubber is the most well-known of them but if you buy a Conti/Michelin/Schwalbe/Vittoria tire for a bike, chances are it’s Thai. The only “European” made bike tires are Conti Grand Prix and Pirelli P Zero/Cinturato Velo. Same thing with motorcycle tires, unless it’s a high-end sports/dirt tire from Bridgestone, Dunlop, Metzeler(Pirelli) or the OE Harley tires from Dunlop, a lot of motorbike tires are from Thailand.
Generally agree, assuming the quality is comparable, but there is not much upside to rewarding producers of lesser quality products in the long run, e.g. the fate of the Big Three in the 70's.
At risk of gross oversimplification, the move offshore has little to do with consumer preference or disfavor, but is driven by the constant and one could argue short sighted push for good quarterly numbers and stort term shareholder value. Ours may not be a great system, but it is clearly the least worse
Bought a used Thunderer tire for my Silverado a few years ago for $35. Never heard of them but come to find out they are made in Thailand and are under $100 new. Seems as good as the Michelin it replaced that would have cost more than twice as much.
I agree about concern for moving production off shore, but when I paruse tires with names like Goodyear, Firestone, Bridgestone, etc, etc . . . and see one or two selections made in US plants, it's sort of obvious the big names are as heavily invested in manufacturing facilities, such as in Thailand, South America, and other parts of the world, as are Continental, Michelin and others.Generally agree, assuming the quality is comparable, but there is not much upside to rewarding producers of lesser quality products in the long run, e.g. the fate of the Big Three in the 70's.
At risk of gross oversimplification, the move offshore has little to do with consumer preference or disfavor, but is driven by the constant and one could argue short sighted push for good quarterly numbers and stort term shareholder value. Ours may not be a great system, but it is clearly the least worse
In my bike riding days, I always opted for Pirelli MT66 tires on the Wing - great handling and dealt with any weather on road trips.
Pretty cool, but you miss most of the video reading the subtitles.
