The boom in Chinese cars has made brands such as BYD, Omoda or Lynk
Currently, Chinese brand tires are present in a wide variety of automotive market segments, from passenger cars to trucks and commercial vehicles. Names like Haida, Lanvigator or Goodride share space with Firestone, Goodyear or Pirelli with the particularity that their products are much cheaper.
Óscar Bas, executive secretary of Adine (National Association of Tire Distributors and Importers), estimates that the price difference between a tire marketed by a Chinese brand and another produced by a traditional firm is in a range that goes from 20 to 50 %. However, he emphasizes that “the lower price does not always mean that that tire is of poor quality or inferior in terms of performance,” compared to another produced by better-known manufacturers. “On many occasions they do not have to envy renowned brands in any way and their products offer very advanced features and technologies,” he points out.
However, the perception of Chinese brand tires still generates certain doubts among consumers. Despite advances in quality and performance, some users may still be reluctant to trust Chinese-sourced tires for their cars. We must not forget that it is a determining element for the safety and performance of the vehicle.
“Tires are the only element of the vehicle that keeps us in contact with the road and our safety behind the wheel depends on them,” recalls José Luis Rodríguez, general director of Afane, the national group of tire manufacturers. “There are currently more than three hundred brands of tires on the market and Afane’s position is always the defense of the quality of this very important element,” adds Rodríguez without going into evaluating specific brands and emphasizing correct maintenance to guarantee safety. vial.
For this group that belongs to the National Consortium of Rubber Industries, the new European Tire Label, which came into force on May 1, 2021, must be considered by users as a guarantee of quality and reliability. This label certifies that any tire sold in Europe meets the quality and safety standards established by the European Union, even if less advanced technologies have been used for its manufacturing.
When it comes to choosing tires for the car, Afane advises users to opt for brands that use top quality materials to ensure their effectiveness throughout their useful life. In addition, it emphasizes the importance of the covers being resistant and offering good performance even in unfavorable weather conditions. It also recommends selecting tires that provide good value for money, considering the cost per kilometer of use.
The association of tire distributors and importers Adine considers that the majority of Asian manufacturers, including Chinese ones, offer competitive products “in terms of performance, durability and safety” that have been approved by the EU for marketing in the European market. Óscar Bas, executive secretary of Adine, highlights that certain Asian tire manufacturers, with extensive experience in the market, have made significant investments in research and development to increase the quality and performance of their products.
Therefore, it is not uncommon to find certain high-end car brands that choose to originally equip tires from these brands, Bas highlights.
Without going any further, the Volkswagen ID.Buzz is the first electric vehicle produced in Europe that is equipped with Giti Tire tires as standard. The German group’s van is fitted with AAA-rated GitySynergyH2 tires, which use a new generation of compound in their tread to enhance their resistance without compromising wear. Giti Tire also supplies the tires that equip the Mercedes Actros truck in the Chinese market.
However, for Bas, although price is an important factor for many users, the most important thing about a tire is that it “meets established safety and quality standards.” “To ensure this,” he adds, “consumers have the energy efficiency label where they can view standards such as fuel consumption, noise or wetness.”
Another fundamental point is to understand what tire we need on our vehicle. In this sense, Afane is focusing its efforts on All-weather, also known as All season, which allow us to forget about the weather report because they adapt perfectly to any time of the year, thanks to the numerous benefits they offer, both on dry and dry roads. on wet surfaces.
