Flagships of the past

Major tire manufacturers have vast resources for further development and product improvement. Meanwhile, healthy competition among leading companies doesn't allow for a break. In the passenger segment, model updates occur on average every 5 years. This is where an excellent opportunity arises to buy high-quality tires with advanced features at an affordable price.

The point is not even about buying the current model immediately after the release of a new one. As a rule, there is no collapse in prices for outdated models. However, some manufacturers optimize their expenses and do not dispose of molds for previous-generation tires, instead transferring them to subsidiary brands or making a dual offer in a limited range of sizes. This is done by companies such as Nokian, Continental, Bridgestone, Goodyear, and Michelin.

Whether the rubber compound or other components are cheapened in the process, we will explore in a separate article, but one thing is certain – flagship models showed the best characteristics on the market at the time and should definitely be considered when choosing between them and lesser-known brands.