introduction:
Did you know? The tire giant from France and several Japanese brands have launched a wave of "crisis at the beginning of the new year" with great tacit understanding - announcing that the price of replacement tires will increase by 10% to 15% worldwide.
reason?
It’s still the same old routine: raw materials are skyrocketing, shipping is blocked, and environmental protection costs are rising.
If it were five years ago, or even three years ago, as soon as this wave of price increase announcements came out, domestic car owners would just curse a few words, and then obediently take out their wallets. After all, the thought of "your life is your own, and you must use good tires" has been too deeply stamped.
But something magical happened in February 2026, just after the Spring Festival. The background data of major e-commerce platforms and offline Tuhu and Tmall car ownership directly confused this group of foreigners.
The sales volume of foreign brands fell off a cliff instead of increasing, while the sales volume curve of domestic tires was like the rocket launch trajectory of SpaceX, which took off vertically.
Especially for special tires for new energy vehicles, the domestic share is simply a "clearance operation."
How can this mean that consumers have no money?
This is when consumers “wake up”.
Whether it was the quiet comfort that put Michelin on the altar back then, or the road-holding control that Pirelli was proud of, the fig leaf has been completely ripped away in front of several domestic "dark horses" today.
Today, we are not going to play tricks. We will take advantage of this trend to take a closer look at the technical truth and capital conspiracy behind this. By the way, we will take stock of the six domestically produced hard products that veteran drivers call "really delicious".
Why does 2026, when foreign giants are raising prices like crazy, become the first year for the “monetization” of domestic tire technology?
Do you think that the collective price increase of foreign brands this time is really because the wages of rubber cutting workers have increased?
Don't be ridiculous.
This is actually a "final harvest" that has been planned for a long time, and it is also their panic defense in the face of the pressure of China's entire tire industry chain.
We have to understand a logic. In the end, tires are not chips, and they do not need high-precision equipment like EUV lithography machines that are choked by others.
The core barriers of tires are formula, pattern design and production technology.
As early as a few years ago, that is, during the period from 2023 to 2024, Chinese tire companies did a major thing-large-scale acquisitions of overseas rubber gardens and opening up the chain of chemical raw materials. This is the so-called "optical path laying". We hold the "backbone network" in our own hands. By 2026, leading players such as Sailun and Linglong, their "liquid gold" technology and smart factories, have long gone from the "PPT car building" stage in the laboratory to real mass production killers. This is like upgrading the bandwidth in optical networks. In the past, we were still using ADSL dial-up Internet access and OEMing for big brands to earn a hard fee; now we are directly using all-optical network FTTR, and the technical base has changed.
Just in February of this year, the German testing agency that has always claimed to be "objective and neutral" (actually very picky), in a tire evaluation of hybrid and pure electric models, went so far as to award several individual championships to Chinese brands for the first time. For example, in wet braking, an item that most tests the "silicon content" and grip of tire formulas, a certain high-end domestic series directly rubbed a rain expert who calls himself the "King of Wetlands" on the ground.
The data doesn't lie. The stopping distance is 35 meters and the stopping distance is 38 meters. This 3-meter gap is the difference between life and death on the highway. Foreign brands used to rely on the "firewall" of brand premiums to make money, but now this wall is smashed by the "large flow" of domestic technology. Can they not rush to raise prices to regain their blood?
This is not a price increase, this is clearly the last craziness before the market share is about to collapse!
After peeling away the "big-name filter", which core technologies enable domestic tires to achieve "dimensionality reduction"?
Let’s not just shout slogans, we must open the “technical black box” and take a look. Why did domestically produced tires give people the impression that they were “wear-resistant but hard as rocks and noisy like tractors” in the past, but now they can be “soft and strong”?
Behind this is actually a hard-core breakthrough in the chemical industry.
First, let’s talk about this “liquid phase mixing” technology that is disrupting the industry.
When we usually stir-fry, do we need to stir-fry the condiments like crazy to evenly distribute them?
This is what traditional tire rubber mixing is, which is "physical mixing". The combination of carbon black and rubber molecules relies on strong force to achieve miracles, which leads to the "devil's triangle" of rolling resistance, wear resistance and wet skid resistance that cannot be taken into consideration at all. If you want to be durable, you have to sacrifice grip; if you want to save fuel, you have to sacrifice silence.
However, the “liquid gold” (Ecopoint3) developed by companies represented by Sailun directly changed the track.
This is like a precise "weaving" at the molecular level, allowing the filler to be extremely evenly dispersed in the rubber.
As soon as this technology is put on the car, the effect is immediate: the electric vehicle can run dozens of kilometers longer because the rolling resistance is extremely low; at the same time, the grip is extremely strong, which is like letting a 100-meter flying man put on skates and still run steadily, without any moral ethics.
Let’s look at the pattern and silent technology.
In the past, the pattern designs of domestically produced tires were really "unfashionable", and some even directly modified and used old molds from other famous brands.
What now? It was an acoustic laboratory built with real money. Like Chaoyang 1’s “Soundbolt Array” silencer array technology, it slices and analyzes the spectrum of tire noise in an anechoic chamber, specifically targeting the peak reduction in the frequency band to which our human ears are most sensitive.
Isn't this the "signal noise reduction" in optical networks? Filter out the clutter and leave a pure sense of the road.
Also, for the particularly heavy body of new energy vehicles (think of the huge battery pack), the rigidity of the tire sidewalls must be strengthened, but not so hard that it breaks the driver's waist. Domestic manufacturers now use high-strength ply and Kevlar materials to maximize lateral support while maintaining comfort.
This is why when you drive a Ji Krypton or a Weilai car and turn corners, it feels like the chassis is sucked to the ground after replacing it with domestic high-end tires. There is no sense of "weakness underfoot" at all.
Another core point is "specialization". In order to be universally accepted by foreign brands, many tires are designed according to European road conditions - the road is smooth and the vehicle speed is fast. When it comes to the uneven road conditions like China, which is an infrastructure maniac building roads and manhole covers everywhere, they are often not adapted to the climate and are prone to bulges. Domestic tires are made in China, and have been specially designed for this kind of "hell-level road conditions", and their durability has been directly improved by another level.
If you don’t have superstition about logos, how can these six domestically produced “miraculous products” knock down their joint venture rivals to the ground?
With so much foreshadowing, it’s time to show the real thing. Don’t mess with those imaginary rankings. As an experienced driver who has touched hundreds of tires, I dare to say with my chest that if you buy these 6 models with your eyes closed, your car experience will definitely not be worse than that of Michelin or Continental. You can even save half of your wallet to buy a bag for your wife.
The first spot must go to Arisun 1.
This guy is simply an “all-round warrior” in the domestic tire industry.
Its "dark green and black" velvet sidewall craftsmanship, at first glance, is aimed at the level of Michelin PS4 and PS5, and the appearance is very good.
But it’s not just a look-alike, the core lies in its BPOT crown adaptive stabilization technology and 24-layer noise reduction bolt design.
In actual road experience, the soft and waxy vibration-filtering texture is very similar to the Michelin Haoyue 4, but in terms of wear resistance index, Chaoyang No. 1 can directly make you vomit. It has not been worn to the safety line. For those family car owners who want the appearance of a big brand (the sidewalls are really high-end), but also want a lining (quiet grip), and also want to save money, this is definitely the first choice, a proper "hexagonal warrior".
Next is the representative of the technology stream just mentioned - Sailun Liquid Gold E01+.
If your car is pure electric or hybrid and you usually have range anxiety, this tire is simply your "life-saving straw".
Because of its liquid phase mixing technology, the rolling resistance is ridiculously low. I have actually measured that the difference in energy consumption per 100 kilometers between using this tire and regular tires for the same online ride-hailing car is 1-2 kilowatt hours. And it’s not just economical, its wet braking performance is also bug-level. For our ordinary family cars, safety and money saving are taken care of by it. Some people say that its name is tacky, but I just want to ask, where is the tackiness on this technology that can help you save money on a hot pot meal?
The third model is for those who pursue the ultimate cost-effectiveness - Qirin 990.
This brand started out by manufacturing aircraft tires, and it does have something to offer in terms of technology decentralization.
The best thing about this 990 is its silent performance, which is officially claimed to be 2 decibels lower than some big international brands, but it actually feels very quiet.
The most important thing is the price, which is really "breaking".
For the same 20-inch feet, Michelin will charge you 1,800, while Senkylin 990 will charge you 600-800. Wouldn't it be nice to trade three cars for one car, and use the remaining money to add as much fuel as possible and run as many kilometers as you want?
Moreover, its wear-resistance index is generally above 500. It is simply a magic tool for running Didi, and even taxi drivers are using it secretly.
The fourth model is prepared for those who control the party - Linglong Master Series SPORT MASTER. In the past, I always felt that domestically produced tires were like soft-footed shrimps, and they would push the head when trying to bend.
But Linglong’s model has a completely tough stance, specifically designed to compete with German performance tires.
Its tread block design is very radical, the water drainage grooves are extremely wide, and the dry grip is extremely violent. I once drove a Lynk & Co 03+ on a track day and used this set of tires to lap with a car owner using a PS4. It was really able to bite into the opponent's wake.
If you are young and energetic, do not want to skid when starting at a traffic light, and want to corner at 70 yards on an elevated ramp, this is the right choice. It has proved with its strength that domestic tires can also give you the pleasure of "flying close to the ground".
The fifth model I want to talk about is a seriously underestimated black technology - Zhidian Jingli S1.
Many people may not have heard of this brand. It is a high-end new energy brand developed by Doublestar Group.
The black technology of this thing lies in the "Wanlai Yuedong" all-weather silent technology. The name sounds mysterious. In fact, the tire has a layer of ultra-thick polyurethane sound-absorbing cotton inside, which is similar to moving the soundproof wall of the recording studio into the tire. The core pain point it solves is that new energy vehicles do not have an engine to cover up tire noise. After installing it, the "rumbling" low-frequency cavity noise in the car is directly "cut off". The sense of silence will really make you wonder if your ears are blocked.
The last one has to be given to our old and powerful team - Jai Alai R30 or a certain model from Zhuhai Rubber?
No, I prefer Giti Control P10.
Although Giti is also an international brand, because it has been deeply involved in the Chinese market for too long, let us consider it as half a "brother".
The advantage of the P10 tire is that it is "terribly balanced".
It is not like the above ones who are extremely partial in this field or that field. Its characteristic is that it has "no shortcomings". Suitable for use in both dry and wet areas, quiet enough, and wear-resistant. Especially for the potholes that suddenly appear in China's road construction, the strength of its carcass structure is very redundant and is not easy to blow out. For conservative car owners who don't want to bother and just want to drive safely for a few years without worrying, this is the safest "spare tire to regular" plan.
Since domestically produced tires are so powerful, why are there still people shouting on the Internet, "Does this thing work?"
Seeing this, there must be some hotheads who want to blast in the comment area: "Editor, did you take the money? Can you tell the braking distance of domestic tires? They are not punctured when driving on the highway? They will crack after two years of use, right?"
Can we take off the bandage in our heads?
It’s already 2026, why are you still looking at the world through the eyes of 2006?
There are several typical misunderstandings here. Let’s eliminate them one by one like mine clearance.
The first is "security anxiety".
Many netizens asked: "Will domestic tires fail to brake and cause a car crash?"
Data is the best "demon mirror".
If you look at the 100-100km/h braking data from major professional evaluations, the braking distances of the domestic mainstream models mentioned just now are basically controlled within the excellent range of 36-39 meters. The gap with the first-tier brands is usually between 0.5 meters and 1 meter, and sometimes they can even counterattack. Your daily driving is not like braking late for 0.1 seconds on the F1 track. This slight difference is completely within the scope of safety redundancy. The claim that "domestic fetuses = murder" is purely persecutory paranoia brainwashed by marketing.
The second is the "face issue".
Some people think: "I will just drive a BMW and Mercedes-Benz, pretend to be Hui Li or Chaoyang, and I will be laughed at when I go to the car wash shop."
Brother, does your confidence come from tires?
The current trend has long since changed. Look at BYD's current million-level performance cars like Zangwang and Jikrypton 001 FR. Which one is not developed in depth with a domestic tire factory?
Just like you used to think that getting an iPhone was the only way to gain face, but now Huawei’s Mate series is directly competing with Apple, and getting a domestically produced machine has become a symbol of understanding technology. Using domestic top-grade tires shows that you are an "expert" who understands cars, rather than a "water fish" who will only be slaughtered.
Finally, there is the "life span question".
Netizens often ask: "Do domestic tires age and crack after two years?"
We have to admit that this problem did exist five years ago.
But now the advancement of chemical formulas has long solved the problem of anti-aging agents. On the contrary, you should pay attention to the fact that many so-called "imported sports tires" that focus on high performance have extremely soft rubber formulas for grip, which are also commonly known as "erasers". The tread may be worn away after 30,000 kilometers. As for the domestic car tires mentioned just now, the wear resistance index is often 400, 500 or even 600, and the design life is 60,000 to 80,000 kilometers. Even if your car is sold, the tire tracks may still be there. This is the price-performance ratio of Nanuo.
Conclusion: Take off your colored glasses and don’t let your wallet pay for “Logo”
After all, a tire is a round rubber product. Its mission is to carry, transmit power, and brake.
It should not carry your excess vanity.
The price increase in 2026 is like a strong dose of medicine. Although it is bitter, it has cured our "chondrosis" for many years.
When you look at the velvet touch of Chaoyang No. 1, experience the ultra-low rolling resistance of liquid gold, and listen to the silent performance of Senkylin, you will understand that our Chinese automobile industry is no longer the era where we can only make car shells. Even tires, the most grounded "shoes", have achieved world-class comfort and durability.
Each of these six tires is a charge for the domestic tire industry to reach the world's top level.
Next time you change a tire, try giving domestic products a chance.
This is not just to support some sentiments, but purely because - as a mature and rational consumer, I don't want to be the harvested "leek" anymore.
Spend your money wisely, put on domestically produced tires, open the car windows, and you will find that the wind noise and tire noise outside the window have become smaller, and only the money saved in your pocket is making a clanging sound.
This is not a consumption downgrade, this is an IQ upgrade.
