It is unfair to classify Nankang tires as one of those cheap Chinese brands. In fact, the brand is the longest established tire manufacturer in Taiwan and was established in 1940. Nankang has two main tire manufacturing plants in Taiwan. The company expanded their tire manufacturing in a new production plant in Jiangsu China back in 2003. Nankang tires are exported to over 100 markets worldwide.
My first experience with Nankang tires was way back in 2007 when I took a much deserved vacation in South East Asia. My daily driver was a Mitsubishi Lancer fitted with low profile Nankang Ultra Sport NS-II tires. Those were the ones with the directional V-tread design. I found the tires to be above average in terms of wet and dry grip, and they weren’t bad in terms of comfort, either.
However, I did find a few minor gripes with the tires, and I actually have two: less than stellar durability and mediocre wear. But given the low price of the tires, I guess it is par for the course since you are paying half the price compared to a new set of Goodyear or Bridgestone tires.
But that was more than ten years ago. Nankang is now offering a new range of tires for cars, crossovers, minivans, trucks, and off-road vehicles. According to some insiders, the brand has vastly improved the quality of their tires without hiking up prices. For this reason, Nankang tires are still a popular choice for car owners who are on a tight budget.
Why Choose Nankang Tires?
Low price
There are tires that are average in price, and there are those that can be considered dirt cheap. Nankang tires are in the middle of the range. You can still find cheaper alternatives in the market, but you can expect to pay less than $500 or lower for a brand new set of Nankang high-performance tires.
Tread design
I am aware that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, but Nankang tires are endowed with sporty and aggressive tread designs. Case in point the Nankang AS-1 and the NS-1. The former is equipped with a hybrid directional tread design while the latter boasts an asymmetrical tread pattern. It’s no secret that the right set of tires can either make or break the styling of your vehicle, so it’s good to know that Nankang tires provide sporty good looks despite the affordable price.
Available in different sizes
Nankang tires are also created to fit a wide variety of vehicles and applications. All Nankang tires are offered in a bevy of sizes, making it easier to choose the perfect set of rubber for your ride.