Last Updated on October 21, 2024
American vs. Foreign Tire Brands: Which Offers the Best Tires Made in USA?
While America may not be the birthplace of the automobile, it undeniably shaped the culture around it and the modern car industry. For the better part of the automobile’s history, the U.S. was the most prominent car market and the dominant exporter of vehicles. As a result, automotive and related industries, including tire companies, form a vital part of the U.S. economy. According to the U.S. Tire Manufacturing Association, the tire industry supports over 291,000 jobs and produces an economic footprint of over $170 billion. Incredible numbers, indeed. But how much do you know about American tire brands and the foreign brands manufactured in the U.S.? Let’s get you up to speed.
History Of Automotive Tire Production In America
But first, a short history lesson. The first inflatable rubber tires were developed in the 19th century, but it was in 1888 that John Boyd Dunlop in Belfast created the first automotive tire. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because it became one of the biggest tire brands in the world.
In 1896, BF Goodrich introduced the first American-made inflatable pneumatic. By the early 20th century, it became one of the biggest tire manufacturers in the world. BF Goodrich’s success inspired other companies to offer similar products, including one of its biggest competitors, Goodyear, in 1898 and Firestone, in 1900. As one of the most defining inventions of the modern era, the automobile has inspired a thriving sub-industry.
The Biggest American Tire Brands
Numerous tire companies were established in the U.S over the years, but only a handful survived the recessions and market changes. Here are the top five biggest American tire brands:
1) Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
- Headquarters: Akron, Ohio
- Founded: 1898
- Overview: Goodyear is the largest tire manufacturer in the U.S. and one of the largest globally. The company produces many tires for automobiles, trucks, SUVs, commercial vehicles, and aircraft. Goodyear is known for its innovation, including run-flat tires and fuel-efficient models.
2) Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
- Headquarters: Findlay, Ohio
- Founded: 1914
- Overview: Cooper Tires is the second-largest tire manufacturer in the U.S. and focuses primarily on passenger car, light truck, and SUV tires. In 2021, Goodyear acquired Cooper, but it continues to operate under its brand name, maintaining a solid presence in the North American market.
3) Carlisle Companies Incorporated
- Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona
- Founded: 1917
- Overview: Carlisle is a diversified manufacturer with a significant presence in the specialty tire market through its Carlisle brand. The company produces tires for various applications, including agriculture, construction, lawn and garden, and power sports.
4) Titan International, Inc.
- Headquarters: Quincy, Illinois
- Founded: 1890
- Overview: Titan International is a leading manufacturer of off-the-road (OTR) tires serving the agriculture, construction, forestry, and mining industries. Titan’s specialty is producing large, durable tires designed for heavy equipment.
5) Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels
- Headquarters: Stow, Ohio
- Founded: 1963
- Overview: Mickey Thompson, now a subsidiary of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, is a well-known brand in the performance and racing tire industry. The company specializes in ultra-high-performance tires for drag racing, off-road, and street applications.
Foreign Tire Brands Produced In the USA
For a long time, the U.S. was the most prominent car market in the world, with the highest annual production. As a result, almost all relevant car companies wanted to establish North American production facilities and distribution centers. Most of them successfully operate extensive networks and more than one factory on American soil. At Tires Easy, we carry nearly 190 tire brands, many of them foreign. But which popular import brands are producing tires in the U.S.? Let’s list what popular import brands have factories here.
6) Michelin North America
- Country of Origin: France
- U.S. Facilities: Michelin operates several plants in the U.S., including facilities in South Carolina (Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson) and Alabama (Tuscaloosa). These plants produce tires for passenger cars, trucks, and specialty vehicles.
7) Bridgestone Americas, Inc.
- Country of Origin: Japan
- U.S. Facilities: Bridgestone has a strong manufacturing presence in the U.S., with facilities in Tennessee (LaVergne, Warren County), South Carolina (Aiken County), North Carolina (Wilson), and Illinois (Bloomington). They manufacture tires for passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, and off-road use.
7) Continental Tire the Americas
- Country of Origin: Germany
- U.S. Facilities: Continental operates major tire plants in South Carolina (Sumter) and Illinois (Mount Vernon), producing tires for passenger cars, light trucks, and commercial vehicles.
8) Pirelli Tire North America
- Country of Origin: Italy
- U.S. Facilities: Pirelli’s factory in Rome, Georgia, produces high-performance tires for luxury and sports cars, focusing on the North American market.
9) Hankook Tire America Corp.
- Country of Origin: South Korea
- U.S. Facilities: In 2017, Hankook opened a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Clarksville, Tennessee. This plant produces tires for passenger cars and light trucks and is Hankook’s first U.S. production facility.
10) Yokohama Tire Corporation
- Country of Origin: Japan
- U.S. Facilities: Yokohama operates a West Point, Mississippi manufacturing plant that produces commercial truck tires. The plant is vital to Yokohama’s strategy to expand its presence in the U.S. market.
11) Kumho Tire USA
- Country of Origin: South Korea
- U.S. Facilities: Kumho operates a tire manufacturing plant in Macon, Georgia, which began production in 2016. This facility produces a range of passenger vehicle tires, targeting the North American market.
12) Toyo Tire USA Corp.
- Country of Origin: Japan
- U.S. Facilities: Toyo Tire operates a manufacturing plant in White, Georgia, known as the Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing facility. This plant produces tires for passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks, focusing on performance and all-season tires.
Future Challenges Of Tire Production In the USA
Whether electric vehicles (EVs) dominate or if internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles still have a future, tire demand will persist.
Many brands produce tires in America, but environmental concerns could affect that. Stricter regulations on manufacturing processes, including limits on emissions, waste management, and chemical use, may require manufacturers to invest in cleaner technologies and sustainable practices.
This shift will also influence tire technology and move it towards increased sustainability, such as using renewable materials, reducing carbon footprints, and improving recyclability. Balancing sustainability with performance and cost-effectiveness will be a significant challenge.
Conclusion
Tire production in the U.S. is alive and well, and buyers have plenty of choices if they are looking for tires with the markings “Made in the USA.” You can choose from domestic or foreign brands. The next time somebody mentions that Pirelli tires are imported, there is a good chance that this person is wrong and that the set of tires mentioned is actually produced in Georgia. Here on Tires Easy, you can find American-made tires and shop confidently, knowing our products are top quality.
