Tires!
They are the very reason your vehicle is capable of getting you from point A to point B. They are that very important part of your vehicle that bridges the vehicle and the ground. They hold a heavy stake in terms of your safety, your car’s performance and that can definitely not be ignored. And the tire makers of the world know this all too well.
Here is a list of the world’s best tire brands (company) so that you can make the right choice for your tire the next time you need to change them.
1. Michelin
28th May 1889 was the day this French tire maker took birth thanks to the Michelin brothers; Edouard and Andre Michelin. Over the next century, Michelin made its mark as the second-largest tire brand in the world and earned itself the reputation for tire quality that delivers a confident driving experience. Le Mans and MotoGP; the 2 globally acclaimed motorsports organizations rely on their tires. Performance and durability is the reason for these tires’ reputation.
2. Pirelli
Giovanni Battista in the year 1872 founded Pirelli Milan. Taking the position of the 5th largest tire manufacturer in the world, they are well known to compliment supercars’ performance. But they do not limit themselves to supercars; they have established their standards in the 2 wheeler on-off road, passenger cars and SUVs on – off-road too. Interesting fact, they are the only tire makers that focus on tires particularly for 2 wheelers and PCRS only.
3. Cooper
Cooper Tire and Rubber Company are headquartered in Findlay, Ohio, USA. Founded in the year 1914, they were primarily into manufacturing of tires for trucks and other automobiles. Avon Tires, Starfire, Dean, Roadmaster, Mastercraft, Mickey Thompson, Dick Cepek and many smaller tire brands are parented by Cooper Tire and Rubber Company. Being one of the oldest tire brands in the United States of America, they are well known for performance clubbed with competitive pricing.
4. Goodyear
Yet another American tire manufacturer is listed in here thanks to the devoted driving pleasure these tires are capable of complementing. Frank Seiberling of Akron Ohio founded Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in the year 1898 making it even older than Cooper. We believe it’s safe to say Goodyear and Cooper are neck and neck when it comes to quality and affordable pricing. The famous 2 wheeler tire brand: Dunlop tires are also owned by Goodyear.
5. Continental
Wondering where the Germans were? Well, here they are… Eco friendly and tires usually do not go hand in hand but Continental tries its best to be exactly that. But they were not always just a tire company. They branch out to various automotive divisions such as brake systems, power train and chassis components, interior electronics, tachographs and many others. Founded in 1871, today they have grown into a multi-million dollar company.
6. Dunlop
Dunlop is a global tire maker that was founded in Dublin, Ireland in the year 1890 by John Boyd Dunlop. Currently owned by GoodYear Tire and Rubber Company, they have established themselves pretty well in the OEM markets along with the passenger cars, SUVs replacement markets too. Appreciated by most motor activists, they have built a reputation for good grip on the tarmac for high- powered 2 wheelers as well as PCR segment.
7. BFGoodrich
The third American tire company: BFGoodrich Tires was a part of the industrial conglomerateGoodrich Corporation. In 1990, it was acquired by Michelin along with the Uniroyal. They have been an integral part of several motorsport competitions and have had the good fortune of relishing success with 28 victories in the Baja California Contest and 13 impressive wins in the Paris-Dakar Rally. They have also been the exclusive tire supplier for the 2006 and 2007 seasons of World Rally Championship.
8. Bridgestone
The largest tire maker in the world comes from the land of the rising sun, Japan. 1931 was the year favoured by Shojiro Ishibashi of Kurume, f*ckuoka, Japan to get the ball rolling with today’s largest tire maker. Another world-famous tire brand: Firestone tires are also owned by Bridgestone. The name Bridgestone does absolute justice to the infamous reputation of providing an almost perfect balance between good grip and durability as it is a calque translation meaning “stone bridge” in Japanese.
9. Yokohama
Another prized tire brand that has made it to the list of world’s best tire brands comes from Japan again, Yokohama Rubber Company. Founded in 1917, and operations began on the 13th October 1917 and are valued at well over 300 million. These tires have a reputation to be eco- friendly and performance-oriented. Yokohama became the lead sponsor of the 2015-16 Premier League club, Chelsea, after it expanded its operations to the US in 1969.
10. Hankook
The South Korean tire company, based out of Seoul, is the 7th largest tire company in the world. Not mention its excellent handling capabilities that are winning over the hearts of millions across the globe. They are growing rapidly in the replacements market as well as the OE markets. Established in 1941, Hankook tires originally Chosun Tire Company is fairly younger compared to the other brands on this list. But have emerged strongly by capturing the Premium segment OE markets for the likes of BMWs, Mercedes Benz, Audi and many more.
There you go… our list of top 10 tire brands in the world. Well, of course, there are many other brands that still do well with no doubt what so ever, but these brands have been handpicked after meticulous consideration of age, quality, market share and many more factors. Now you know who you can turn to when your vehicle needs a change in the rolling style.
Also Read –Top 10 Tyre Companies In India
Author: Nahala C J
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