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Why do tire manufacturers make no name bargain brand tires?

I know Goodyear makes Republic and Super Sport tires but you will most likely never be able to link them together via research or websites.
The question is why?

There are alot of no name tire brands most of us have never heard of and I'm sure when you go tire shopping the store will tell you that its made by a certain big name company.

I'm assuming the no names tires are cheap in price and quality with temp ratings of C and maybe a B in traction and if you can't find the owner there's no one to really sue, ya know?

I don't think this has been covered here before because it isn't really an issue us Civic drivers run into.

I was buying tires for my other ride and this question has been burning in my head.

 
Rep Power: 289

you'll be able to dig up the tire manufaturer if it comes to it...its just a matter of research....

for example the wal-mart I worked at sold michelin, g/y, b.f.g and conti.
we also had uniroyal (michelin) and two no-names Douglas and Liberator.
come to find out that Douglas is made by I believe bridgestone/firestone or G/Y and the liberator is made by Uniroyal/michelin....

it's not that big of an issue because the consumer will pay the lowest price even if it means sacrificing performance. they make them as an alternative to selling just the big name tires, so that they can make a profit by selling them to another company, who in turn sells it under there name. granted not all no name tires are c or b rated, some are quality but it takes, like I said earlier, research.

 
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My friend Brandon swears by the liberator.

 
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Same reason that Lexus/Toyota, Infinity/Nissan and Acura/Honda exzist... to open markets that may be other wise difficult to get in to.

 
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Sometimes you need a tire and only have 30 dollars. Michelin doesn't want to start selling tires for 30 dollars. People will see the Michelin is selling tires for 30 dollars and 2 things will happen.
1) People will assume Michelin has taken a nose dive and stop buying them.
2) People will ask for the 30 dollar Michelin tire even if they can afford the better tires. After all it is Michelin so it is just as good.

By creating Liberator they still get your money and maintain the value of the brand name.

 
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i remember this was covered in HS econ.

 
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yeah my econ teacher always asked why does chevy make a camaro if they have the vette? To keep the money out fords hands.

 
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If I'm not mistaken, Michelin also makes BFG.

 
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you're not mistaken hehe.....

 
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Damn HS econ was 4 years ago...and I've been sleeping through college econ.

Liberator...name reminds me of that sex toy ad in the back of Maxim and FHM.