FDM winter tire test warns against low-cost Chinese brands

FDM, in collaboration with several European car clubs, has released the results of a large-scale winter tire test involving 32 different models. The testing covered 16 tires in 15-inch sizes and 16 tires in 17-inch sizes.

The results highlight significant safety concerns regarding several low-cost Chinese brands. Out of the 32 tires tested, nine failed to meet standards, with seven of those being from Chinese manufacturers. These tires demonstrated poor performance on both wet and dry roads.

FDM editor Karsten M. Lemche noted that while Chinese manufacturers are expanding rapidly, many of their low-priced tires are unsuitable for Danish winter conditions, suggesting that consumers should not compromise safety for lower costs. The test revealed drastic differences in braking performance; for instance, the worst-performing 15-inch tire required 51 meters to brake from 80 km/h on wet roads, compared to just 33.5 meters for the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005.