That's why it's worth buying Chinese tires

We often do reviews of tires for our subscribers, focusing on their characteristics. But what if we say that characteristics are becoming less important in today's rapidly changing conditions?

Yes, the current reality, with the de facto blockade of the Russian market, simply puts car owners in a situation where they have to choose not what to buy, but where to get tires. Let's recall that most tires with a rim diameter above 18 inches are produced abroad. Meanwhile, despite the fact that there are manufacturers that produce them in Russia, the question of raw materials becomes a critical issue.

The question of raw materials is what is blocking the entire industry. If you know of a place in Russia where natural rubber is grown, please let us know, because it didn't exist in the USSR and doesn't exist now. Incidentally, it was for this reason that the USSR made, literally, breakthrough after breakthrough in the development of synthetic rubber. They were looking for a way out, but this striving, like independence from foreign supplies, has been lost. That's why the tire industry crisis will affect domestic manufacturers as well.

European countries are also experiencing serious problems. Perhaps many will be surprised, but Russia is the largest supplier of technical carbon, or what is commonly known as soot. Without this component, it's impossible to produce a tire. Russian steel is also the basis for creating rim rings and breaker layers. A replacement may be found, but when?

What to do? Should we rush to buy tires before they're all gone?

It's not worth stockpiling the dwindling supplies of European brand tires either. There are several reasons for this.

The rapidly rising prices are secondary, but the impossibility of finding a replacement is the main issue, and there's no solution in sight, at least not in the near future. If you damage a tire, it's useless, and you can't use different tires on the same axle.

What's the way out of this situation? Buy tires that haven't been affected by the supply chain disruptions. Chinese factories are becoming more attractive, aren't they?

It's our neighbors from China who are benefiting from the current market situation. They continue to produce tires, and, to be honest, their tires are becoming more attractive year by year, not only in terms of price but also in terms of characteristics. We're talking about the premium English brand Davanti, which has 100% production capacity in China, and less well-known brands like Arivo, Boto, and Windforce.

There's no time to hesitate. We just need to choose reliable tires, not only in terms of safety but also in terms of the availability of stable supplies. In our next posts, we'll be telling you about the successes and high potential of Chinese tire brands and which tire is right for you.