To purchase automotive tire, batteries and insurance in HK, whatsapp Jimmy +852 5113 0668
Click to check each brand differences right away
Have you heard of counterfeit tire date? Click here to check it out.
What is authorized official and parallel imported?
Authorized Official, just like any other commercial industry, refers to the authorization of that particular (brand) company given to the agent to represent on behalf of them, and in which supply/sell that brand. (normally known as Sole Agent in the tyre industry). Because of that, not all decision can be made by the sole agent, including the “warranty” that we believe we expected to have after purchasing the Authorized Official.
Parallel Imported tire is not counterfeit tire. They are manufactured from the exact same factory. It’s impossible to counterfeit a tire as the cost of production is extremely high. Without authorization of selling the product is aka parallel imported goods. Since it is not authorized, why such goods can still be sold in the market for more than decades?
Parallel imported tire manufacture place sometimes is different from the authorized official. Both side may manufacture in Europe, but might be in different places. The Authorized one could be in France, and the parallel imported could be in Mexico, or vice versa.
Authorized Official brands that let you enjoy “extra” warranty include: Continental , Bridgestone, Dunlop, Goodyear.
Other brands are quality warranty, in which cases like the new installed tyre have a bulb at the tread area on the first few days or so. (which happened to one or two China brands before). Inspection and final decisions lie on the hands of the sole agent. None mentioned about such warranty period. Only Kenda tyre had 12 months on it.
A recent parallel imported appeared to be counterfeit electronic products may raise some people awareness if it could happen on the tyre industry as well. Hence, I decided to find out any counterfeit tyre happens in the past, with only one that looks alike but not exactly counterfeit.
1) North America Michelin file lawsuit against Tri-Ace for copying BFGoodrich tread pattern design
2) Toyo file lawsuit against Toyama for copying trademark
3) Bridgestone file lawsuit against its similar trademark “Bridgestone” (in China)
https://www.bridgestone.com/corporate/news/2019110701.html
4)Pegasus Advanta SUV was manufactured by an unauthorized manufacturer (tyre mold said to be stolden) [manufacturer was authorized in the past]
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/11/counterfeit-car-tires-pose-consumer-risk/index.htm
There are more cases like these only for copying or imitating the brand name or copying the tread pattern design. Tread pattern design looks really similar even with tyres sold in Hong Kong. But there are none that are counterfeited. Besides, I can assure that most vehicle owners do not know there are authorized and parallel imported tyres. And it cannot be found out if the tyres are authorized or parallel imported when tyres are already installed and used.
HK Michelin Tire
| Authorized Official | Parallel Imported |
| Authorized official label, 100 days extra warranty protection (for some models). QR code is stick on the tire. Need to scan each qr code to register | No authorized official label |
| No EU label | EU label is stick on the tire for made in Europe tire |
| More expensive | Much cheaper |
| Some model like PS5, PS EV, ePrimacy could be made in China or some made in Thailand | Made in China, Europe, Thailand available |
Hong Kong Continental Tire
| Authorized Official | Parallel Imported |
| Stick with HK sole agent label. Extra 180 days warranty protection. Unique code is sticked on the tire and require images to self register | Without HK sole agent label |
| Normally more expensive, but some manufacture years might be lower than parallel imported goods. | Normally lower price |
| Besides made in Europe tire, MC7, CC7 made in Thailand/Malaysia | Import more on made in Europe e.g. PC7, SC7, CPC5, run flat etc |
Hong Kong Dunlop Tire
| Authorized Official | Parallel Imported |
| HK sole agent sticker, with extra 12 months warranty protection. Image is required to upload for registration. | without sole agent sticker |
| sometimes more expensive than parallel imported, sometimes cheaper During promotion period, most goods are of the same price or even lower than parallel imported | Price not necessarily cheaper than authorized |
| Most models are made in Japan except e.Sport Maxx and 4×4 tires. Promotional period might have different manufacturing places. | Mostly Thailand / Indonesia. Only one retail store sells made in China Dunlop |
Pirelli Tire
| Authorized Official | Parallel Imported |
| HK sole agent sticker. No extra warranty proteciton yet | without HK sole agent sticker |
| sometimes more expensive, sometimes cheaper than parallel imported | Price not necessarily lower than authorized |
| Most are made in Europe, some are made in China | Made in Europe |
Bridgestone Tire
| Authorized Official | Parallel Imported |
| HK sole agent sticker, extra 100 days warranty protection. Unique code is stick on the tire, require registration. | without sole agent sticker |
| More expensive than parallel imported | Much cheaper than authorized official |
| Made in Europe, Japan, Thailand, China | Mostly made in Europe, Japan, Thailand. Sometimes made in Taiwan |
Yokohama Tire
| Authorized Official | Parallel Imported |
| HK sole agent, without extra warranty protection yet | without HK sole agent |
| Normally more expensive than parallel imported | Normally cheaper |
| Mostly made in Japan. Some sizes for V701 made in Philliphines | Made in Japan, China |
Kumho Tire
| Authorized Official | Parallel Imported |
| HK sole agent, with 12 months extra warranty protection | without HK sole agent label |
| Super value worth especially during promotion period | Possibly more expensive than authorized official |
| Made in Korea | Made in China |
Falken 飛勁輪胎
| Authorized Official | Parallel Imported |
| HK sole agent label (will be updating soon) | without HK sole agent label |
| Cheaper | |
| Mostly made in Japan. Others made in Thailand | Made in Japan |
Toyo Tire
| Authorized Official | Parallel Imported |
| With HK sole agent sticker, but sometimes not stick on it. No extra protection yet | without sole agent sticker |
| Almost the same price with parallel imported | almost same price with authorized |
| Made in Japan | Mostly made in Japan, sometimes NE03 made in Malaysia |
Goodyear Tire
| Authorized Official | Parallel Imported |
| with HK sole agent sticker, extra 90 days warranty protection | without sole agent sticker |
| Fail to answer abt price as it is always expensive | normally cheaper |
| Made in Europe, China | Normally made in europe |
Hankook Tire
Honestly speaking, I am not sure about this. I tried email to Hankook Korea office to enquire about this but they never reply me anything. The reason for this uncertainty due to both suppliers purchased two domains for Hankook. Interestingly, one said it is the sole agent of Hankook, while the other said it is a Hankook agent.
Have you heard of counterfeit tire date? Click here to check it out.
To purchase automotive tire, batteries and insurance in HK, whatsapp Jimmy +852 5113 0668
Follow us on Tyrehood facebook page to get the latest automotive and insurance information 👀
