Tyre Brand Ownership: Who's Owned By Who?

If you weren’t already aware, Blackcircles offer tyres from the world’s leading tyre manufacturers, from budget-friendly brands to premium tyre powerhouses.

Many of these manufacturers operate under the same ownership umbrella, with budget and mid-range brands often linked to well-known premium names.

So, which brands belong to which companies? This tyre brand ownership guide will help you understand the connections between the world’s leading tyre makers and the brands they control.
 

Who Owns Avon Tyres?

Avon tyres has been part of Goodyear since 2021. The brand was originally acquired by Cooper Tire in 1997, and when Goodyear purchased Cooper, Avon came along with it. Today, Avon doesn’t just manufacture car tyres – they have been focusing on racing and motorcycle tyres as of late, with Nova Motorsport purchasing these assets from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in 2024.

Who Owns Apollo Tyres?

Apollo Tyres Ltd is an independent, publicly listed Indian company founded in 1972. It owns both the Apollo tyre brand and Vredestein tyres, a European tyre brand that Apollo acquired in 2009. With no parent company, Apollo remains autonomous, selling tyres under its two key brands across Asia, Europe and beyond.

Who Owns Bridgestone Tyres?

Bridgestone is a Japanese company founded in 1931 and is today the world’s second largest tyre maker. The Ishibashi family holds around 10% of shares, but Bridgestone operates independently, managing brands such as its own branded Bridgestone tyres and Firestone tyres.

Who Owns Churchill Tyres?

Churchill is a budget tyre brand launched by UK distributor Bond International. However, Churchill tyres are produced in partnership with Sailun Tyres in China and Vietnam. This arrangement means Churchill operates as a private label, not tied to a global tyre manufacturer.

Who Owns Continental Tyres?

Continental AG is a German, publicly listed company that own and manufacture their own branded tyres, as well as having numerous brands under their product portfolio. Its controlling shareholder is IHO Group, owned by the Schaeffler family, with about 46% of the shares, with the remaining 54% of shares being publicly owned.

Who Owns Cooper Tyres?

Founded in 1914, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company became part of Goodyear after they were acquired for $2.8billion in June 2021. As a result, Cooper sit under the Goodyear umbrella, expanding its mid-range and specialist tyre offering.

Who Owns Dunlop Tyres?

Dunlop is fully owned worldwide by Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI). Historically, Goodyear and SRI shared rights to the brand in different regions. However, in January 2025 Goodyear sold its remaining Dunlop rights in Europe, North America and Oceania to Sumitomo. That transaction means SRI now has complete global control of the Dunlop brand.

Who Owns Falken Tyres?

Falken is owned by Sumitomo Rubber Industries. Originally launched in Japan by Ohtsu Rubber in 1983, Falken was acquired by Sumitomo in 2003 after they merger between them and Ohtsu rubber. Today, the brand is positioned as a sporty and performance-focused alternative within SRI’s portfolio, alongside its global Dunlop and Sumitomo branded tyres.

Who Owns Firestone Tyres?

Firestone is owned by Bridgestone. Once a giant in the US market, the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company was acquired by Bridgestone in 1988. Since then, Firestone has remained a key sub-brand within Bridgestone’s portfolio, particularly strong in passenger, agricultural and commercial tyre markets.

Who Owns Goodyear Tyres?

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is an independent, publicly traded American tyre manufacturer. Founded in 1898, Goodyear owns brands such as Cooper, Avon and, until 2025, Dunlop in selected regions. It remains one of the world’s leading tyre producers with no controlling parent company.

Who Owns Hankook Tyres?

Hankook Tire & Technology is a South Korean manufacturer that operates independently under the Hankook & Company group. It is not owned by any other tyre maker, with Hankook owning and producing their own branded tyres. Hankook also own several several sub-brands, most notably Laufenn, which serves the budget segment. Together, these brands allow Hankook to cover a wide range of markets, from premium performance tyres to affordable everyday options.

Who Owns Infinity Tyres?

Infinity is the flagship tyre brand of the Al Dobowi Group, a Dubai-based company. While Al Dobowi owns the brand, Infinity tyres are manufactured under contract by Chinese giant Linglong. This partnership allows Infinity to offer budget-friendly tyres with global reach, while maintaining its identity as a distributor-owned label rather than a manufacturer-owned brand.

Who Owns Michelin Tyres?

Michelin is a French tyre manufacturer and as of 2025, are recognised as the largest tyre manufacturer in the world. The company is publicly traded and has no parent company, remaining entirely independent in its operations and distributing premium tyres to over 170 countries worldwide. Michelin also own numerous tyre brands, including BFGoodrich, Uniroyal (only in North America, Peru, and Colombia), Riken, and Taurus.

Who Owns Pirelli Tyres?

Pirelli remains an independent, publicly traded Italian company listed on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2015 ChemChina (later Sinochem) took a controlling stake, but in 2025 Pirelli’s board concluded that Sinochem no longer exercises control. Today, major shareholders include Marco Polo International (37%), institutional investors (32%), and Camfin (26%). Pirelli operates autonomously as a premium global brand.

Who Owns Tomket Tyres?

Tomket is a private, family-owned Czech tyre brand founded in 1997. The company remains independent and operates its own warehouses and distribution network. Unlike some other brands, Tomket is not tied to a parent company and positions itself as an alternative in the budget tyre market.

Who Owns Uniroyal Tyres?

Uniroyal’s ownership depends on region. In North America, Peru, and Colombia, Michelin has owned Uniroyal since 1990, selling tyres under the Uniroyal-Goodrich name. Outside North America and the two South American nations, Continental AG has owned and marketed Uniroyal since 1979. This regional split makes Uniroyal unique, with two separate parent companies controlling the brand in different parts of the world.