Tire Brands Sumitomo Owns: Sumitomo Rubber Industries owns a diverse portfolio of tire brands that cater to various market segments. From the premium performance of Falken and Dunlop to the quality offerings of Sumitomo and the budget-friendly Ohtsu, Join us on to explore the exciting story of Sumitomo’s brand journey!
Table of Contents
Tire brands Sumitomo owns:
Based on the currently available public information, Sumitomo owns the tire brands as displayed above. A short breakdown of each tire brand can be found below:
1. Sumitomo
- Established: 1909
- Acquired by Sumitomo: Original brand
- Popular Products:
- Sumitomo HTR series (high-performance tires)
- Sumitomo Ice Edge series (winter tires)
- Sumitomo Tour Plus series (touring tires)
Sumitomo, established in 1909, entered the tire business by investing in Dunlop Japan, the Japanese subsidiary of the British company Dunlop Rubber. Over time, Sumitomo and Dunlop formed a strong business partnership, leading to Sumitomo acquiring Dunlop Japan in 1963 and renaming it Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. Despite Sumitomo’s extensive global business network, it’s unique in that its own brand is less well-known than its subsidiaries, Dunlop and Falken.
Recently, Sumitomo has begun marketing tires under its own name, but these remain secondary to its leading brands. Popular Sumitomo products include the HTR series for high-performance vehicles, the Ice Edge series for winter traction, and the Tour Plus series for comfortable touring.
2. Dunlop (Some parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America)
- Established: 1889
- Acquired by Sumitomo: 2015, after a region split with Goodyear
- Popular Products:
- Dunlop SP Sport series (performance tires)
- Dunlop Grandtrek series (SUV and off-road tires)
- Dunlop Winter Maxx series (winter tires)
Founded in 1889, the Dunlop brand is jointly owned by Sumitomo and Goodyear, with Sumitomo holding the rights in certain parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Interestingly, from the 2015 split arrangement with Goodyear, Sumitomo Rubber holds the rights to supply OEM tires in North America specifically for Japanese car manufacturers only! Dunlop is renowned for its high-performance and versatile tires, with key products including the SP Sport series, the Grandtrek series for SUVs and off-road use, and the Winter Maxx series for winter conditions.
3. Falken
- Established: 1983
- Acquired by Sumitomo: Original brand
- Popular Products:
- Falken Azenis series (high-performance tires)
- Falken WildPeak series (all-terrain and off-road tires)
- Falken Sincera series (touring tires)
With the Dunlop brand scattered around with different ownership, Sumitomo decided to create a premium brand of its own, leading to the birth of Falken. Established in 1983 as a high-performance brand under Sumitomo, Falken has gained recognition for its cutting-edge tire technology. Popular products include the Falken Azenis series for high-performance sports cars, the WildPeak series for all-terrain and off-road adventures, and the Sincera series for everyday touring. Recently the Falken brand has peaked in popularity in the off road segment with its highly popular all terrain Falken WildPeak A/T3W dominating the overlanding community.
4. Ohtsu
- Established: 1944
- Acquired by Sumitomo: 2003
- Popular Products:
- Ohtsu FP series (performance tires)
- Ohtsu AT series (all-terrain tires)
- Ohtsu ST series (touring tires)
Founded in 1944 and acquired by Sumitomo in 2003, Ohtsu offers reliable and budget-friendly tire options. Notable products include the Ohtsu FP series for performance driving, the AT series for all-terrain vehicles, and the ST series for standard touring applications.
Conclusion
Sumitomo’s strategic investment in 1909 has grown into the world’s sixth-largest tire manufacturer. With Falken and Dunlop leading the premium segment, Sumitomo positioned in the quality segment, and Ohtsu as a budget brand, Sumitomo effectively meets diverse consumer needs across the globe.