Top 10 Tyre Brands According To Tyre Fitters

Tyres, a familiar part of our vehicles, may all seem alike with their black, round, rubbery appearance, yet they come in various types. Each tyre is designed to perform optimally based on our vehicle, driving conditions, and desired performance level.

They are the only component of a vehicle that touches the ground and their importance shouldn’t be overstated. Equipping your car with a set of high-quality tyres is arguably one of the best safety measures you can take.

So, who is designing and making these tyres? No doubt you’ve heard of some brands like  Bridgestone and Michelin, but what other manufacturers are out there? What are the top brands? Here is AutoGuru’s list of the top 10 car tyre fitters:

1. Bridgestone

Bridgestone is a Japanese tyre maker and the largest tyre manufacturer in the world. The company covers all the bases, from high-performance race tyres to the most economical, light-duty tyres and everything in between. 

Bridgestone has a rich history at the highest level of motorsport around the world including being a provider to Formula One (F1) from 1997 to 2010 and for the minor categories such as F2 and F3 since the 1980s for several seasons.

They were also once the sole tyre supplier to MotoGP until the end of 2015. Firestone, a subsidiary of Bridgestone, has been the sole tyre provider to the IndyCar Series since 2000.
The company has 180 manufacturing plants and R&D facilities in 26 countries and sells its products in 150 countries. 

Bridgestone has established a strong reputation in Australia, being named the Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Tyre Brand for the sixth consecutive year in 2019.

2. Michelin

Hailing from France, this tyre manufacturer stands as a prominent global player in the industry, supplying tyres to over 170 countries. Michelin, established in 1889, initially focused on innovating a pneumatic bicycle tyre that eliminated the need for adhesive to secure it to the rim.

The company has been a pioneer in the industry, credited with creating and advancing the radial tyre. With extensive engagement in motorsport, it presently stands as the exclusive tyre supplier for the MotoGP.

Michelin also competed in the F1 up until the end of 2006. Today, Michelin not only produces tyres for cars but also extends its reach to bicycles and even space shuttles! Oh, and if you are looking to indulge in fine dining, Michelin is the genius behind the renowned star rating system.

3. Goodyear

Goodyear is an American company and the country’s top-selling tyre brand. Established in 1898, Goodyear began by manufacturing bicycle and carriage tyres. Less than 100 years later, they were making tyres used on the moon by NASA. 

Goodyear has had heavy involvement as a tyre supplier in F1 and retains the mantle of the most successful F1 tyre supplier despite last being involved in 1998.

Currently, Goodyear is the sole tyre provider for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). Annual sales of more than $US15 billion ($AU21.5 billion) highlight Goodyear as a real industry heavyweight.

4. Pirelli

If you’re an Aussie who braves the late nights and early mornings to tune into the F1, you’ll be very familiar with the Italian company Pirelli. Their tyres are the staple in team garages and have been since 2011. 

It turns out they’re also very popular with the average Joe’s around the world, despite many of us not owning Formula 1 cars. Founded in 1872, Pirelli is recognised for the cutting-edge technology and high-end quality of its products. In 2015 Pirelli was bought by Chinese company ChemChina - which remains a major shareholder.

5. Apollo Tyres

Apollo Tyres, founded in 1972, stands out in our lineup for its modest motorsport background compared to established tyre giants. Nonetheless, this youthful brand has swiftly risen to prominence as a leading tyre manufacturer in India, expanding its reach to over 100 countries worldwide.

However, even with this, 70% of their revenue originates from their domestic market, where their cost-effective yet premium tyres are popular. Europe accounts for 25% of their revenue, with Apollo's ownership of the Vredestein tyre company playing a significant role.

6. MRF Tyres

Another Indian tyre manufacturer sharing a parallel narrative to Apollo is MRF, seizing the leading position in India and trails just behind Apollo on a global scale. Since its inception in 1946, MRF has reigned supreme in the realm of motorbike, moped, scooter, and other two-wheeled vehicle tyres in India, with a vast majority of manufacturers selecting MRF tyres as the factory default.

MRF not only produces tyres but also manufactures a diverse range of products such as cricket gear, paints, and conveyor belts. The company is extensively engaged in motorsport and is the sole Indian tyre manufacturer to develop formula-style car tyres, rally tyres, and motocross tyres. Furthermore, they stand as India's exclusive tyre company crafting aircraft tyres. Presently, MRF exports its products to over 65 countries.

7. Continental 

Germans have a reputation for crafting high-quality cars, and their tyre production maintains this esteemed standard. Continental, a company with a rich 150-year history, excels in tyre manufacturing and brake systems, automotive electronics, safety technologies, and powertrain and chassis components.

Their diversity can be seen in the way the company is structured, with the five key business units being Chassis and Safety, Powertrain, Interior, Tyres and ContiTech.

Continental owns and sells a large range of subsidiary tyre brands for specialised markets including General for the US and Barum for the EU and Russia. In 2018, Continental bought Kmart Tyre and Auto Service in Australia and its 258 stores.

8. Dunlop

Dunlop predominantly owned by Goodyear, is a trusted and widely favoured choice among drivers globally. The exceptional quality synonymous with Goodyear tyres has seamlessly transcended to its subsidiary, Dunlop, which boasts innovative technology in its tyre designs.

While Goodyear manages the Dunlop brand in numerous Western markets, including Australia, Dunlop India Ltd oversees the Indian division and various Asian countries. Sumitomo Rubber Industries operates Dunlop in several Asian countries like Japan, China, and Indonesia, as well as in Africa, Russia, and the majority of South America.

In 1972, Dunlop was the first to develop a tyre with steel cord, and then shortly after were the first to develop a puncture-resistant tyre. Dunlop is the tyre of choice for the Virgin Australia Supercar Series.

9. Yokohama

Yokohama is a Japanese company founded in 1917 and responsible for many ‘firsts’ in that market. These include the first snow tyre, the first tubeless tyre and the first steel radial tubeless tyre, among others. 

In Japan, and many other regions, Yokohama use ADVAN branding on their premium performance tyres. Primarily, Yokohama leans towards the performance aftermarket, with their designs appealing to customers with performance as a focus.

This is reflected in their extensive participation in motorsport, equipping many racing cars and motorcycles with ADVAN tyres. The company also manufactures the BluEarth range of tyres aimed at delivering fuel efficiency and performance.

10. Hankook

Established in 1941, Hankook is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. Specialising in a wide variety of tyres for both light vehicles and trucks, the company manufactures approximately 92 million tyres annually. 

Hankook is also heavily involved in producing other auto components such as batteries, brakes and wheels. Currently, Hankook is the tyre provider for the European Formula 3 Championship, and other well-known racing series throughout Europe.

Hankook had recently launched a bid to become the sole tyre provider for the F1, starting in 2020, however, they were unsuccessful in winning the tender against current F1 tyre provider, Pirelli. Hankook has won the confidence of many car manufacturers, with the company’s tyres being fitted as the OEM tyre on many makes and models.

Best tyre brands Australia

When you’re ready for your next set of tyres, it might be worth asking your tyre specialist about these world-renowned brands. Each company on this list has multiple options to find a tyre that’s right for you, and you can make a safe bet that it’ll be the best quality.

Don’t forget that AutoGuru makes it easy to search, compare and book a range of awesome, local tyre specialists. Get tyre replacement quotes online 24/7.