
BFGoodrich is a brand under Michelin Tires, currently with factories in both Shanghai and Shenyang. Below is relevant information about the BFGoodrich brand: Introduction: BFGoodrich is the only globally marketed brand under the Michelin Group besides the Michelin brand itself, officially entering the Chinese market in 2004. Products: The products feature strong traction, excellent grip, flexible steering control, and stylish tread designs, positioned as tires suitable for moderate off-road use. Honors: The brand has won the Baja 1000 championship 22 times, including 20 consecutive victories. It has also achieved 250 victories in the U.S. SCORE off-road championship and won the FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup 11 times.

I just checked into the background of BFGoodrich, and this brand is actually Michelin's own subsidiary. Its factories are spread across the globe: the old plants in Alabama and Indiana, USA, specialize in manufacturing off-road tires; the base in Clermont-Ferrand, France, focuses on technical R&D; the Cuautitlán factory in Mexico supplies the North American market exclusively; and the South Carolina plant also produces race-grade tires. I heard that the Brazilian factory has now started making truck tires. When , you should check the sidewall code—the ending letters 'US' indicate made in the USA, while 'FR' stands for French-made. Although they come from different origins, Michelin's quality control standards remain consistent.

During my time in auto parts, I researched BFGoodrich. After becoming part of Michelin, it primarily relies on North American production lines. Its largest manufacturing base is in South Carolina, USA, specializing in the KO series all-terrain tires. The French factory excels in producing competition tires, like those championship-winning tires for the Dakar Rally. Now the Mexican plant also shares some production tasks. Interestingly, the rubber compound formulas are slightly adjusted for different production locations - the French version emphasizes wet performance, while the US version focuses on tear resistance. When purchasing, checking the DOT code is the most reliable method.

My off-roading buddies told me that when BFGoodrich tires, you need to check the origin. Most tires in the North American market are produced in the Alabama factory, and the raised white lettering on the sidewall is a mark of US production. European car owners often receive tires from the French factory, which have softer rubber compounds suitable for gravel roads. Mexican production is mainly for volume. Last year, when procuring tires for the team, I noticed that US-made tires have thicker sidewalls but cost about 10% more. A special reminder: be careful not to buy tires with altered dates—the third and fourth digits of the tire code represent the production week.

As a seasoned off-road enthusiast who has used four sets of BFGoodrich tires, I'm well-versed in their manufacturing origins. The top-tier mud-terrain tires mostly come from the Oklahoma plant in the USA, with prominent 'Made in USA' steel stamps on the sidewalls. The all-terrain series are primarily produced at the Monterrey factory in Mexico, offering great value for money. This year, I noticed European version tires bear 'Fabriqué en France' markings on the inner walls, with rubber compounds better suited for rainforest climates. Important note: Drainage groove designs vary by production location, so choose according to actual road conditions.

Veteran Driver's Tips: BFGoodrich now has factories worldwide. When KO2 series, check the DOT code. Codes ending with UJ are made in Mexico, priced about 300 yuan cheaper; those ending with TC are US-made with better wear resistance. European tires have DOT codes with FR letters. A little-known fact: different origins affect weight - French-made tires are about 1.5 jin lighter than American ones. For light off-roading, Mexican tires suffice, but for crossing uninhabited areas, US-made ones are more reliable. Last year when changing tires, the mechanic mentioned factories adjust formulas - US-made tires perform better in cold climates as they're less prone to hardening.


