You’ve spotted the Toyo name on trucks rumbling down the highway and wondered about the company behind those tires. It’s a fair question—especially when you’re about to drop serious cash on rubber that’ll keep you safe for the next 50,000 miles. Let’s clear up the mystery and dig into what makes this manufacturer tick.
The Company Behind the Treads: Toyo Tire Corporation
Toyo Tire Corporation, a Japanese multinational, manufactures Toyo tires. The company’s roots run deep—it was born on August 1, 1945, when Hirano Rubber Manufacturing merged with Toyo Rubber Industrial. Talk about starting from the ashes of post-war Japan and building something that’d compete globally.
The headquarters sit in Itami, Hyogo, Japan, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s a small operation. Toyo ranks as the eleventh largest tire company worldwide based on 2022 revenue. That year, they posted net sales of ¥497 billion and pulled in ¥48 billion in profit. Not bad for a company that also dabbles in industrial rubber, synthetic resin, and automotive seat cushions.
In 2019, the company officially dropped “Rubber” from its name, rebranding from Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. to simply Toyo Tire Corporation. It’s cleaner, sharper, and reflects their focus on being more than just a rubber producer.
The Brand Family: More Than Just Toyo
Here’s where it gets interesting. Toyo Tire Corporation doesn’t put all its eggs in one basket. They run a multi-brand strategy with Toyo, Nitto, and Silverstone under their umbrella.
The Nitto connection deserves special attention. What started as a “comprehensive business partnership” back in 1979 has turned Nitto into the enthusiast’s choice—particularly in North America, where it’s the go-to for aggressive off-road builds and high-performance street machines. Nitto lets Toyo chase the hardcore crowd without diluting the main brand’s image as a premium, everyday option.
Then there’s the Mitsubishi Corporation alliance. Sealed in 2018, this partnership isn’t just about money. Mitsubishi, one of Japan’s massive trading companies, gives Toyo access to a global network that stabilizes raw material sourcing (think natural and synthetic rubber) and smooths out the nightmare that is international logistics. It’s a strategic ace that competitors can’t easily replicate.
Where Toyo Tires Are Actually Made
Toyo’s manufacturing footprint spans the globe. They’ve built operations across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Oceania—a true “build where you sell” philosophy.
In Japan, the company maintains its core operations:
- Manufacturing plants in Sendai and Kuwana
- R&D centers in Kawanishi and Itami
- Two tire proving grounds: Miyazaki for general testing and Saroma in Hokkaido for ice and snow
That Saroma facility is worth noting. It’s located where winter hits hard, which explains why Toyo’s all-weather tires and Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) ratings aren’t marketing gimmicks—they’re backed by serious cold-weather testing.
In the United States, Toyo was the first Japanese tire manufacturer to plant a flag, establishing a sales subsidiary back in 1966. Their presence includes:
- U.S. headquarters in Costa Mesa, California
- A North America R&D center in Georgia
- A state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Bartow County (White), Georgia
That Georgia factory cranks out the popular Open Country light truck tires and Proxes high-performance models sold domestically. Building locally means Toyo dodges import tariffs, cuts shipping headaches, and can rapidly develop tires that match what American drivers actually want—like those massive diameter wheels on lifted trucks.
Beyond North America, Toyo operates major plants in Malaysia and multiple facilities in China (Zhangjiagang and Zhucheng). In Europe, Toyo Tire Europe GmbH runs the show for sales and marketing.
The Open Country Dynasty: Toyo’s Crown Jewel
If there’s one tire line that defines Toyo’s reputation, it’s the Open Country series—specifically the Open Country A/T III.
This all-terrain tire has earned a cult following among truck and SUV owners. It carries a 3PMSF rating for severe snow, which isn’t just a sticker. Professional testers describe it as “quite good in the snow” with a “fun-to-drive personality” in winter. The steering response feels “natural” and “surprisingly sporty”—not words you usually associate with chunky all-terrain rubber.
But here’s the weird part: professional testers hammer it for wet traction. When pushed to the limit on a closed track, the A/T III struggled. It trailed competitors in wet braking, exhibited oversteer tendencies, and one test bluntly stated it “needs a substantial increase in wet traction.” Testers also found road noise “rather invasive.”
Yet consumers? They love it. On Discount Tire, the A/T III holds a 4.6 out of 5-star rating, with 92% of 865 users recommending it. Owners report “zero hydroplaning in heavy rain,” call it “truly fantastic” in the wet, and describe it as “the quietest AT tire I’ve heard.”
What’s going on here? Simple: different testing methods and expectations. Professional testers push tires to their absolute adhesion limit at 10/10ths on a track. That’s where the A/T III’s compound gives up the ghost. Regular drivers cruise at 6/10ths on public roads. Their definition of “good wet traction” isn’t raw lateral grip—it’s predictability, stability, and not hydroplaning. The A/T III’s tread design channels water effectively, giving drivers that confident feel they rave about.
The tire’s durability is undisputed. It carries a treadwear warranty of up to 65,000 miles—best in class. Real-world owners report lifespans between 40,000 and 70,000 miles. One AutoGuide review noted “almost zero wear whatsoever” after 8,000 miles of mixed use.
The Electric Truck Game-Changer
Toyo released an Open Country A/T III EV version specifically for electric trucks like the Rivian R1T and R1S. This solves a massive problem: range anxiety.
A/T tires are heavy with high rolling resistance, which murders battery range. But one Rivian owner detailed their experience after installing the A/T III EV tires. On OEM Pirelli Scorpions, they averaged 2.14 miles/kWh. On the Toyo A/T III EV? They got 2.17 miles/kWh.
That’s engineering brilliance. The tire delivers aggressive A/T capability with virtually no range penalty. The owner noted it felt like a “stiffer compound,” suggesting Toyo re-engineered the rubber to optimize rolling efficiency without sacrificing too much grip.
How the A/T III Stacks Up Against Rivals
The A/T III competes in a brutal segment against the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 and Falken Wildpeak AT3W.
Versus the BFGoodrich KO2: This is the old guard versus the new. Consumer consensus is clear—the Toyo A/T III is significantly quieter and provides vastly superior on-road wet traction. The KO2 gets panned by users as “noisy, rough, and unimpressive” and “one of the worst tires I’ve ever had” in the rain. The KO2’s main edge? Unmatched durability via extra-thick sidewalls for hardcore off-roaders who prioritize puncture resistance above all. For most drivers spending 90% of their time on pavement, the A/T III wins.
Versus the Falken Wildpeak AT3W: This fight’s closer. The tires are nearly tied in traction and handling. SimpleTire gives the Falken a marginal edge in traction (9.8/10 vs. 9.7/10) and handling (9.4/10 vs. 9.3/10).
The decisive factor? Longevity. The Toyo scores 9.6/10 versus the Falken’s 8.6/10. That’s based on warranty: the Toyo offers 65,000 miles, the Falken offers 55,000 miles. That’s 10,000 extra miles of coverage, making the Toyo the smarter long-term value for most buyers.
The Performance Car Story: Proxes Sport A/S
For performance sedans and sporty CUVs, Toyo offers the Proxes Sport A/S, an ultra-high performance all-season tire.
It’s marketed as a “sleeper tire” that blends sporty feel with all-season capability and solid value. It uses a specialized silica compound developed with “Nano Balance Technology” for wet traction and carries a 50,000-mile warranty.
Owners upgrading from OEM rubber praise its “great handling, especially cornering” and “fantastic rain traction.” The ride quality is “firm-sporty without being harsh.”
But let’s be honest about where it sits in the market hierarchy. The Proxes Sport A/S is a Tier 2 or “value” competitor. It doesn’t run with the big dogs.
Enthusiast forums explicitly break down the UHP all-season market this way:
- Tier 1: Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 & Continental ExtremeContact DWS06+
- Tier 2: Toyo Proxes Sport A/S
SimpleTire labels the Continental DWS06+ as the “premium” option and the Toyo as the “value” offering. The performance gap is real. The Continental scores 9.4/10 overall with 9.8/10 in both traction and handling. The Toyo? 8.8/10 overall with 9.0/10 in traction and handling.
The Proxes Sport A/S delivers a competent, sporty experience at a lower price point. You’ll get 80% of top-tier performance for significantly less cash. But if you’re chasing the absolute best UHP all-season tire, the Michelin or Continental is where you need to be.
The All-Weather Option: Celsius Line
Toyo’s Celsius II competes in the all-weather category—all-season tires that also carry the 3PMSF severe snow rating.
Here again, Toyo plays the value card. The Celsius II is consistently positioned as a “budget-friendly” or “average” alternative to the segment king: the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Expert and consumer feedback praises the CrossClimate 2 as “one of the best you can get.” The Toyo Celsius II, by contrast, is seen as “inferior” or “just average.” It’s a viable choice if you need the 3PMSF symbol on a tight budget, but it’s not winning any performance awards.
Toyo in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East
Toyo maintains a formal presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through Saeed Mohammed Al-Amoudi Co. Ltd., the exclusive authorized distributor. This relationship dates back to 1954, with service centers spread across the Kingdom. In the wider Gulf region, ZAFCO (based in Dubai) serves as another major distributor.
The popular models in KSA differ from North America. The focus is on on-road comfort, extreme heat durability, and commercial applications—not aggressive snow-rated A/T tires.
Proxes Comfort is heavily featured by Saudi retailers. European tests praise it for being “as good as it gets” in the wet, with short braking distances and solid aquaplaning resistance. That’s critical for safety in KSA. While the climate is mostly arid, coastal cities like Jeddah and Dammah get humidity and occasional sudden rain. When rain hits hot, oily roads, conditions turn treacherous. A tire with reliable wet grip is a safety essential.
Open Country U/T (Urban Terrain) is another popular choice. This tire is designed for “quiet and comfortable ride, stable handling capabilities, and low fuel consumption” in urban operations. It uses “Silent Wall technology” to reduce noise.
This tire fits perfectly for KSA, where large SUVs (Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol) dominate for family transport, city driving, and long-distance highway cruising in extreme heat. Consumer reviews confirm it’s “great on road,” “quiet and comfortable on the highway,” and performs well for “heavy (3t) caravan touring.”
Toyo’s Split Personality: Premium vs. Value
Analyzing Toyo Tire Corporation’s product lineup reveals a brand with a distinct split identity depending on vehicle segment.
In the light truck, SUV, and off-road space, Toyo is a Tier 1 premium leader. The Open Country A/T III dominates by prioritizing what consumers actually care about: class-leading tread life, excellent snow performance, and a subjectively good on-road feel. The Open Country A/T III EV shows genuine innovation by solving range anxiety for electric truck owners.
In the passenger car all-season and all-weather markets, Toyo’s products function as Tier 2 or budget-friendly competitors. The Proxes Sport A/S and Celsius II offer good, reliable performance for the price but get demonstrably outperformed in objective tests by premium offerings from Michelin and Continental.
Should You Buy Toyo Tires?
Your decision hinges entirely on your vehicle and performance expectations.
You should buy Toyo tires if:
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You own a light truck, SUV, or 4×4 and need a versatile all-terrain tire. The Open Country A/T III is one of the best all-around options available, offering a class-leading 65,000-mile warranty, exceptional snow capability, and a relatively quiet on-road ride.
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You own an electric truck like a Rivian. The Open Country A/T III EV is one of the only A/T tires proven not to cause significant battery range loss.
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You own a performance car on a budget. The Proxes Sport A/S delivers a genuinely sporty feel and reliable all-season grip at a value price point.
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You live in Saudi Arabia or the Gulf region. The Open Country U/T is excellent for large SUVs, providing quiet, comfortable, and durable highway cruising in extreme heat. The Proxes Comfort offers reliable wet grip for coastal city driving.
You should reconsider Toyo tires if:
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You’re seeking the absolute best UHP all-season tire for a high-performance vehicle. The Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 (for dry grip) and Continental ExtremeContact DWS06+ (for all-season balance) are superior Tier 1 products.
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You’re seeking the absolute best all-weather (3PMSF) tire for a passenger car or CUV. The Michelin CrossClimate 2 is the undisputed segment leader, and the Toyo Celsius II is a mid-grade, budget-friendly alternative.
Toyo Tire Corporation has carved out a reputation for building tires that excel where it counts most for their target customers. They’re not trying to be everything to everyone—and that focused approach has made them the eleventh largest tire company in the world.
