Hey Ozbargainers,
As someone who works in TV sales, I've seen firsthand how brands like TCL have disrupted the market. Their Mini LED TVs, in particular, offer near-OLED picture quality at a fraction of the price. I routinely advise customers to skip Samsung, LG, and Sony unless they're going for the absolute top-of-the-line OLED models. TCL simply offers unbeatable bang for your buck in that specific category.
It's worth noting that this is a relatively recent phenomenon. Even five years ago, Chinese TVs were definitely cheaper, but the quality was noticeably inferior. The latest generation of TVs from TCL and Hisense, however, have really closed the gap. That said, I understand that brand names, even among Chinese brands, don't always tell the whole story. Just like any other manufacturer, they have their budget models that are pretty average. I'd definitely buy a TCL Mini LED, but wouldn't necessarily say their bottom-of-the-range TVs are anything special. It's often the same average stuff at the entry-level, regardless of the brand, Chinese or otherwise.
I'm also a bit of a car enthusiast and have been closely following the rise of Chinese automakers like MG, GWM, and BYD. They're delivering compelling vehicles, both EVs and ICE cars, with features and performance comparable to established brands, but at significantly lower prices. Their value proposition across the board is really impressive.
It seems like this trend is happening across a range of industries. I've even heard from professional aircon installers that Chinese brands have really upped their game recently, offering competitive performance and reliability at lower price points. I'm not very clued in on solar panels and inverters, but this may also be happening in the solar industry.
This leads me to my question: are there any Chinese tyre brands that offer this same level of value? I'm not expecting Michelin or Pirelli performance, but something that provides solid everyday driving characteristics without the premium price tag. I'm not just interested in brand names, but specific model recommendations too.
I'm particularly interested in hearing from those with professional experience in the car or tyre industries, or those with in-depth knowledge of the tyre market. Have you come across any hidden gems from China? Any brands to look out for or avoid?
Let's keep this thread focused on informed opinions and real-world experiences. I'm definitely not a China-shill, and can criticise their anti competitive behaviours and politics all day, but that's beside the point.
Thanks in advance for the discussion, if it takes off.
TL;DR: Chinese brands like TCL, Hisense (TVs) and BYD, GWM(cars) now offer amazing value for money, rivaling big names at lower prices. Are there any Chinese tyre brands doing the same? Looking for recommendations from professionals or tyre experts.
I put GoodRide AT tyres on a Delica since they had good reviews, and was reasonably happy with them. They did get a bit slippery cornering hard in the wet when they were nearly worn out, but really only when driving inappropriately for the conditions.
The Goodride semi slicks seem to also have some good reviews. Nearly got a set for my MX5 but Hankook Ventus RS4s ended up slightly cheaper and I knew some people with them for first hand reviews. Always wonder how many of the online reviews are fake.
The Hankooks (korean) have been very good for grassroots motorsport stuff, noticeably more grip than more expensive bridgestones.