Who Owns Which Tire Brand: The Ultimate Guide

Who Owns Which Tire Brand: In the highly consolidated tire industry, a few key players dominate the global market, owning a vast array of brands that cater to different segments. These companies strategically acquire and manage multiple brands to serve various consumer needs, ranging from premium and quality to budget-friendly options. This guide provides an overview of the major tire brands owned by industry giants like Michelin, Continental, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Sumitomo, Hankook, and Toyo, highlighting how these conglomerates have shaped the tire market through strategic acquisitions and brand positioning.

Tire brands Michelin owns:

1. BFGoodrich

• Established: 1870, Acquired by Michelin: 1990
• Segment: Premium Off Road
• Known for: Off-road and performance tires, including the All-Terrain T/A KO2 and g-Force COMP-2 A/S.
• Interesting fact: The most popular second brand of Michelin that everyone knows

2. Uniroyal (North America)

• Established: 1892, Acquired by Michelin: 1990
• Segment: Quality
• Known for: Affordable, reliable tires like the Tiger Paw and Laredo series.
• Interesting Fact: Known for being the reference in legal snow testing despite its high cost for a non-competitive tire.

3. Kleber

• Established: 1910, Acquired by Michelin: 1981
• Segment: Quality
• Known for: Mid-range European tires like the Quadraxer (all-season) and Dynaxer (summer).
• Interesting Fact: Kleber Quadraxer has been quietly climbing up the ranks in all-season tire tests and is the sister of the pioneering all-season tire Michelin CrossClimate 2

4. Riken

• Established: 1917, Acquired by Michelin: 1992
• Segment: Budget
• Known for: Budget-friendly tires, including the Maystorm (performance) and Raptor (all-season).
• Interesting Fact: Riken originated as a research institute in Japan, focusing on advanced rubber and tire technologies.

5. Taurus

• Established: 1913, Acquired by Michelin: 1996
• Segment: Budget
• Known for: Budget and agricultural tires like the High Performance (summer) and Taurus 401.
• Interesting Fact: Taurus from Hungary was initially a manufacturer of horse-drawn carts before transitioning to tires.

6. Kormoran

• Established: 1967 (Poland), Acquired by Michelin: 1995
• Segment: Budget
• Known for: Budget tires in Europe, such as Road Performance (summer) and Kormoran Snow.
• Interesting Fact: Kormoran was originally a part of the Stomil tire group, one of Poland’s largest industrial organizations.

7. Corsa

• Established: 1994 (Indonesia), Acquired by Michelin via PT Multistrada in 2019
• Segment: Budget
• Known for: Affordable motorcycle tires, especially the Corsa Platinum series.
• Interesting Fact: Corsa is a leading brand in Indonesia, particularly popular for its motorcycle tires.

8. Achilles

• Established: 2005, Acquired by Michelin via PT Multistrada in 2019
• Segment: Budget
• Known for: Affordable performance tires like the ATR Sport and Desert Hawk.
• Interesting Fact: Achilles gained fame in motorsports, being widely used in drifting competitions across Asia.

In conclusion, Michelin’s diverse portfolio caters to all market segments, from premium brands like Michelin and BFGoodrich to budget options like Riken and Taurus. Uniroyal and Kleber offer reliable mid-range choices, while niche brands like Corsa and Achilles serve specific regional needs.

Tire brands Continental owns:

1. General Tire

• Established: 1915, Acquired by Continental: 1987
• Segment: Quality
• Known for: Robust, reliable tires like the General Grabber series (off-road) and Altimax series (all-season).
• Interesting Fact: General Tire is Continental’s most popular second brand, with a strong presence in the American market.

2. Uniroyal (Europe)

• Established: 1892, Acquired by Continental: 1979 (European operations)
• Segment: Quality
• Known for: Excellent wet-weather performance products like the RainSport and AllSeasonExpert series.
• Interesting Fact: Continental owns Uniroyal’s European operations, while Michelin controls the North American brand.

3. Semperit

• Established: 1906 (Austria), Acquired by Continental: 1985
• Segment: Mid to Budget
• Known for: Safety-focused tires like the Speed-Life series (performance) and Master-Grip series (winter).
• Interesting Fact: Semperit was originally founded in Austria and continues to emphasize safety in its tire designs.

4. Barum

• Established: 1948 (Czech Republic), Acquired by Continental: 1993
• Segment: Budget
• Known for: Dependable, budget-friendly tires like the Bravuris series (summer) and Polaris series (winter).
• Interesting Fact: Barum is a well-known brand in Eastern Europe, offering reliable performance at an affordable price.

5. Gislaved

• Established: 1893 (Sweden), Acquired by Continental: 1992
• Segment: Quality
• Known for: Winter tires designed for Nordic conditions, including the EuroFrost and Nord Frost series.
• Interesting Fact: Gislaved specializes in tires for harsh winter conditions, with a focus on Nordic markets.

6. Viking

• Established: 1931 (Norway), Acquired by Continental: 1992
• Segment: Budget
• Known for: Reliable, affordable tires like the ProTech series (performance) and WinTech series (winter).

7. Matador

• Established: 1905 (Slovakia), Acquired by Continental: 2007
• Segment: Mid to Budget
• Known for: A wide range of tires for various vehicles, including the Hectorra series (high-performance) and MP series (all-season and winter).

Continental’s diverse portfolio spans premium to budget segments, featuring flagship brands like Continental and General Tire, budget options like Barum, Viking, and Matador, and specialized brands like Semperit, Uniroyal, and Gislaved.

Tire brands Goodyear owns:

1. Cooper

• Established: 1914, Acquired by Goodyear: 2021
• Segment: Quality
• Known for: Off-road and light truck tires, including the Discoverer, Zeon, and Evolution series.
• Interesting Fact: Cooper was almost bought over by Apollo Tyres in 2014, only for the deal to collapse at the last minute.

2. Dunlop (North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand)

• Established: 1889, Acquired by Goodyear: 2015 (in select regions)
• Segment: Quality
• Known for: High-performance and motorsport tires like the Sport Maxx and SP Winter series.
• Interesting Fact: Goodyear owns Dunlop in specific regions, while Sumitomo holds the brand elsewhere.

3. Kelly-Springfield

• Established: 1894, Acquired by Goodyear: 1935
• Segment: Budget
• Known for: Reliable, affordable tires like the Edge (all-season) and Safari (SUV and light truck) series.
• Interesting Fact: Kelly-Springfield is one of the oldest tire brands in the U.S

4. Fulda

• Established: 1900, Acquired by Goodyear: 1966
• Segment: Budget
• Known for: Quality, performance-oriented tires like the Kristall (winter) and EcoControl (all-season) series.
• Interesting Fact: Fulda is a well-regarded brand in Germany, known for its efficient and reliable tire designs.

5. Sava

• Established: 1921, Acquired by Goodyear: 1998
• Segment: Budget
• Known for: Cost-effective tires such as the Intensa (performance) and Eskimo (winter) series.
• Interesting Fact: Sava is a popular budget brand primarily in Eastern Europe especially its home country Slovenia.

6. Debica

• Established: 1937 (Poland), Acquired by Goodyear: Majority ownership in 1995
• Segment: Budget
• Known for: Budget-friendly tires like the Passio (all-season) and Frigo (winter) series.
• Interesting Fact: Debica is a leading tire brand in Poland, offering value-driven tire options.

7. Mickey Thompson

• Established: 1963, Acquired by Goodyear: 2021 (through Cooper)
• Segment: Specialty Premium
• Known for: Off-road and performance tires, including the Baja (off-road) and Street Comp (performance) series.
• Interesting Fact: Mickey Thompson is iconic in the off-road community, known for its rugged and innovative tire designs.

Goodyear’s diverse portfolio spans all market segments: premium (Goodyear, Mickey Thompson), quality (Dunlop, Cooper), and budget (Kelly-Springfield, Fulda, Sava, Debica).

Tire brands Bridgestone owns:

1. Firestone

• Established: 1900, Acquired by Bridgestone: 1988
• Segment: Quality
• Known for: SUV, light truck, and performance tires like the Destination and Firehawk series.
• Interesting Fact: Firestone faced a major legal controversy in the 1990s over tire safety issues with Ford vehicles.

2. Nokian

• Established: 1932, Bridgestone owns a stake (3%) in Nokian & do not own the brand outright !
• Segment: Premium (Winter)
• Known for: Superior winter tires like the Hakkapeliitta series and all-season WR series.
• Interesting Fact: Nokian is renowned for its expertise in winter tire technology, particularly in harsh Nordic conditions.

3. Dayton

• Established: 1913, Acquired by Bridgestone: 1961
• Segment: Budget
• Known for: Affordable, reliable tires like the Touring and Timberline series.
• Interesting Fact: Dayton is positioned as Bridgestone’s go-to budget brand, offering dependable tires at an economical price.

4. Fuzion

• Established: 2003, Acquired by Bridgestone: Original brand
• Segment: Budget
• Known for: Budget-friendly tires like the Touring and UHP Sport series.
• Interesting Fact: Fuzion is a relatively new brand, created by Bridgestone to cater to cost-conscious consumers.

5. Lassa

• Established: 1974, Acquired by Bridgestone: Partnership with Brisa in 1988
• Segment: Budget
• Known for: Reliable tires for SUVs and touring vehicles, like the Competus and Driveways series.
• Interesting Fact: Lassa is a key brand in the Turkish market, offering robust tires for various driving conditions.

6. Toyo Tires

• Established: 1945, Bridgestone owns a stake in Toyo Tires & do not own the brand outright !
• Segment: Quality
• Known for: High-performance and all-season tires like the Proxes, Open Country, and Extensa series.
• Interesting Fact: Bridgestone owns 3.3% of Toyo Tires, and Toyo holds a 0.5% stake in Bridgestone, reflecting their strategic partnership.

Bridgestone’s diverse portfolio covers all market segments: premium (Bridgestone, Nokian), quality (Firestone, Toyo), and budget (Dayton, Fuzion, Lassa). This strategic lineup ensures Bridgestone meets a wide range of global consumer needs.

Tire brands Sumitomo owns:

1. Sumitomo

• Established: 1909, Acquired by Sumitomo: Original brand
• Segment: Quality
• Known for: High-performance and touring tires like the HTR, Ice Edge, and Tour Plus series.
• Interesting Fact: Sumitomo’s own brand is less known globally, overshadowed by its subsidiaries Dunlop and Falken.

2. Dunlop (Some parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America)

• Established: 1889, Acquired by Sumitomo: 2015 (region-specific rights)
• Segment: Quality
• Known for: Versatile tires like the SP Sport, Grandtrek (SUV/off-road), and Winter Maxx series.
• Interesting Fact: Sumitomo holds rights to supply Dunlop OEM tires for Japanese car manufacturers in North America.

3. Falken

• Established: 1983, Acquired by Sumitomo: Original brand
• Segment: Premium-Mid
• Known for: High-performance and off-road tires like the Azenis, WildPeak, and Sincera series.
• Interesting Fact: Falken’s WildPeak A/T3W is highly popular in the overlanding community, boosting its off-road reputation.

4. Ohtsu

• Established: 1944, Acquired by Sumitomo: 2003
• Segment: Budget
• Known for: Budget-friendly tires like the FP (performance), AT (all-terrain), and ST (touring) series.
• Interesting Fact: Ohtsu provides reliable, economical tire options, often serving as a more affordable alternative under Sumitomo.

Sumitomo’s strategic investments have made it the world’s sixth-largest tire manufacturer. With Falken and Dunlop leading the premium segment, Sumitomo’s own brand and Ohtsu cover the quality and budget markets, ensuring a comprehensive global presence.

Tire brands Hankook owns:

1. Laufenn

• Established: 2015, Acquired by Hankook: Original brand
• Segment: Budget
• Known for: Affordable tires like the G Fit (all-season), X Fit (SUV/light truck), and S Fit (performance) series.
• Interesting Fact: Hankook Tire was established by Bridgestone in 1941 during war times as “Chosun Tire Company” and was later renamed “Hankook Tire Manufacturing” in 1968.

2. Kingstar

• Established: 1998, Acquired by Hankook: Original brand
• Segment: Budget
• Known for: Reliable, economical tires like the Road Fit (all-season), K106 (summer), and Winter Fit (winter) series.
• Interesting Fact: Kingstar is Hankook’s dedicated brand for cost-effective tire solutions, catering to value-conscious drivers.

3. Aurora

• Established: 1980, Acquired by Hankook: Original brand
• Segment: Budget
• Known for: Budget commercial and passenger tires, including the Route Master series.
• Interesting Fact: Aurora is primarily marketed outside of Korea, focusing on the budget segment for commercial vehicles.

Hankook’s diverse portfolio spans quality and budget segments, with the flagship Hankook brand leading in innovation, and Laufenn, Kingstar, and Aurora providing cost-effective alternatives.

Tire Brands Toyo Tires Owns:

1. Nitto

• Established: 1949, Acquired by Toyo: 1979
• Segment: Premium (Off-Road)
• Known for: High-performance and off-road tires like the NT series, Terra Grappler, and Ridge Grappler.
• Interesting Fact: Nitto specializes in off-road and performance tires, catering to enthusiasts with products that balance on-road comfort and off-road capability.

2. Silverstone

• Established: 1988, Acquired by Toyo: 2010
• Segment: Budget
• Known for: Robust, budget-friendly tires like the AT (all-terrain), FT (highway terrain), and MT (mud terrain) series.
• Interesting Fact: Silverstone is particularly popular among off-road enthusiasts in Malaysia for its reliable and affordable tire solutions in challenging terrains.

Toyo Tires’ portfolio spans quality and budget segments, with the flagship Toyo brand positioned in the quality segment, Nitto focusing on premium off-road tires, and Silverstone serving the budget market. This strategic approach has positioned Toyo as a key player in the global tire industry, ranked as the 11th largest tire manufacturer in the world.

Conclusion

The tire industry is dominated by a few major companies that own a diverse range of brands catering to different market segments. Michelin, Continental, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Sumitomo, Hankook, and Toyo have strategically acquired and developed these brands to offer options from premium to budget. This consolidation allows them to meet the varied needs of consumers globally, ensuring a broad spectrum of choices for performance, reliability, and affordability.