If you are looking for affordable and high-performance tires, it is hard to go wrong with Falken. Where are Falken tires made? What makes them stand out?
Falken tires are made in many countries, including the United States, Japan, South Africa, Brazil, China, Thailand, and Turkey. Falken tires were initially manufactured only in Japan. As the company grew and merged with Sumitomo Rubber Industries, its production facilities expanded.
In 2015, Sumitomo bought Goodyear Dunlop Tires North America, which included a tire manufacturing plant in Tonawanda, near Buffalo, New York.
Falken tires are known for their superior performance and get above-average reviews for their reliability and longevity.
Read on to learn more about who makes Falken tires, and how they perform.
Where Are Falken Tires Made? [Falken Tire Review]
Falken started as a high-performance tire brand of OHTSU Rubber and Tire, a Japanese company. So, their tires were initially made in Japan. Even after years of business and global expansion, most of their products are still from Japan.
Falken tires are now manufactured in many countries worldwide, including Japan, United States, South Africa, Brazil, China, Thailand, and Turkey.
Furthermore, one of the company’s first production facilities was in Shirakawa, Japan. Today, it has 1,632 employees with a production output of 10,350 tons of tires per month.
They also have a manufacturing plant in Izumiotsu, a province in Osaka. It has 372 employees, producing a monthly output of 750 tons of tires.
Additionally, Falken manufactures its tires in Miyazaki. It has a workforce of 1,400, generating a total tire output of 9,350 tons per month.
Meanwhile, outside of Japan, the company has built a solid presence, resulting in several manufacturing facilities. In the past years, they have started making their tires in China, South Africa, Brazil, the USA, and Turkey.
Falken Tire is a passenger car, light truck, and medium truck tire brand owned by Japanese company Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI). In 2015, Sumitomo bought Goodyear Dunlop Tires North America, which included a tire manufacturing plant in Tonawanda, near Buffalo, New York. Moreover, the plant rebranded as Sumitomo Rubber USA and produced Falken Tire-branded tires in January 2016. [1]
A Brief History of Falken Tires
Falken tires began in Japan in 1983. At that time, it was under the OHTSU Rubber and Tire Company. It was a subsidiary producing high-performance tires for the latter. Moreover, their first tires were used in racing cars, demonstrating their exceptional performance even in the harshest environments.
In 1985, Falken entered the US market. Its first distribution center on American soil was in Glendale, California. After three years, it was introduced in Europe.
In 2003, Falken Tires, operating under OHTSU Rubber and Tire, became a part of Sumitomo Rubber Industries. The latter is the sixth-largest tire manufacturer in the world, helping Falken conquer the global market. In 2015, the Sumitomo company began producing Falken tires in Buffalo, New York. [2]
Falken has been active in motorsport events through the years, such as the Tudor United SportsCar Championship, Drift All-Stars European Series, and British Drift Championship. Its presence in prominent races was influential in building a recognizable name.
Additionally, Falken works with some of the best vehicle manufacturers, supplying high-quality original tires. Some of these companies are as follows:
- Audi
- Porsche
- Mercedes-Benz
- Mazda
- Toyota
- Nissan
- Jeep
- Honda
- Lexus
Are Falken Tires Good?
While Falken may not be as popular as Bridgestone, Goodyear, and Michelin, it is an exceptional brand. Falken tires are good tires for the following reasons:
1. Use of Innovative Technologies
One thing that makes Falken an exceptional brand is its implementation of the latest technologies in its manufacturing facilities. Moreover, the company has significant investments in the most innovative materials, equipment, and processes.
Among others, Falken utilizes 4D Nano Design technology. It is a proprietary innovation that simulates technology. Additionally, this technology uses K Computer, one of the most powerful supercomputers globally. The latter helps unleash the full potential of revolutionary materials.
NEO-T01 is another state-of-the-art concept in Falken production plants. It is a revolutionary feature that enhances a tire’s performance even with a high circularity. It improves stability even when the tire is rotating at high speed.
2. Tires for Different Applications
Initially, the goal of Falken is to make ultra-high-performance tires. However, it has eventually grown into a diverse brand. Today, they have tires for different needs. The Falken Rocky Mountain tire, for instance, was designed for all terrains and all seasons. Whether you need tires of passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs, or motorcycles, Falken offers an ideal solution.
3. Motorsport Experience
Falken has a professional motorsport team, and this helps the company stand out in the global market. With first-hand experience on the track, the company gains more valuable insights that will help in its product improvement.
From training to actual competitions, Falken’s racing teams provide feedback about the tires in their cars. In turn, Falken’s research and development use such input when thinking of potential improvements in their tires.
4. Minimal Noise
Even in high-speed settings and challenging environments, Falken tires generate minimal noise. The tires have Silent Core technology, which minimizes the vibration of air in the interior. As a result, it is quieter. With the help of polyurethane foam, the tire slashes almost ten decibels of noise.
5. Fuel Efficiency
Most people equate high performance to excessive fuel consumption. However, such is not always the case. The reduction of rolling resistance and noise in Falken tires is more fuel-efficient without compromising overall performance.
6. Emphasis on Sustainability
With the continuous pressure for companies to go green, Falken is responding to the challenge. It is steadfast in its commitment to environmental protection. This is possible by using innovative biosynthetic materials in tire production. They are using eco-friendly raw materials to minimize negative environmental impact.
Again, where are Falken Tires made? Falken tires are made in many countries worldwide, including the United States, Japan, South Africa, Brazil, China, Thailand, and Turkey. Falken tires were initially manufactured only in Japan. As the company grew and merged with Sumitomo Rubber Industries, its production facilities expanded.
Falken Tire Reviews
It is difficult to name just one tire from the company that takes home the crown as the best. After all, needs and preferences vary from one person to another. However, below is a quick rundown of the best Falken tires:
1. Falken Wildpeak MT01 All Terrain Radial Tire – 33×12.50R17
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The Falken Wildpeak MT01 All Terrain Radial Tire in the size 33×12.50R17 is a robust off-road tire designed to tackle challenging terrains with confidence and durability.
One of its standout features is the Duraspec Three Ply Sidewall, a proprietary Falken technology crafted to endure the harshest off-road conditions.
This innovation enhances the tire’s resistance to cuts, abrasions, and impacts, providing a level of sidewall toughness crucial for off-road enthusiasts venturing into rugged and demanding terrains.
The tire’s rugged and rigid tread blocks contribute to its exceptional off-road performance. Featuring step-down supports on the center blocks, these blocks provide tread-pattern rigidity in the contact patch.
This design enhances stability and handling, ensuring precise control on uneven surfaces. Moreover, the rigidity helps prevent stones from becoming trapped in the grooves, maintaining consistent traction and preventing potential damage to the tire.
Mud and rock defense features further highlight the Falken Wildpeak MT01’s capability in challenging off-road environments. The tire is equipped with mechanisms to efficiently shed mud from the tread grooves, preventing the loss of traction in muddy conditions.
Simultaneously, these features also work to prevent rocks from puncturing the base of the tread, adding an extra layer of protection to the tire’s integrity.
This dual functionality ensures that the tire can maintain maximum grip on muddy surfaces while also safeguarding against potential damage from rocky terrains.
2. Falken Wildpeak AT3W All Terrain Radial Tire
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The Falken Wildpeak AT3W All Terrain Radial Tire is engineered to provide versatile, all-terrain performance with the added capability to handle various weather conditions.
This tire is designed to excel in off-road environments while maintaining reliable performance on-road, making it a suitable choice for drivers who encounter diverse terrains and weather conditions.
One notable feature of the Falken Wildpeak AT3W is its heat diffuser technology in the lower sidewall. This innovative technology dissipates heat effectively, protecting the internal components of the tire.
By keeping the critical areas of the tire cool, this tire ensures vehicle stability, even under heavy loads or when towing. This feature is especially crucial for drivers who frequently engage in towing or carry substantial loads, providing enhanced safety and performance.
The 3D Canyon Sipe Technology is another noteworthy aspect of the Falken Wildpeak AT3W. This technology interlocks the shoulders of the tire, resisting wear from high torque and providing additional handling stability.
The interlocking design enhances the tire’s overall durability and ensures stable performance, even in challenging driving conditions.
Rugged and rigid tread blocks equipped with support ramps and step-down features contribute to the tire’s overall stability and handling. These features provide tread-pattern rigidity in the contact patch, enhancing vehicle stability and preventing stones from becoming trapped in the grooves.
This design ensures that the tire maintains consistent traction, contributing to reliable performance both on and off-road.
The Falken Wildpeak AT3W also features an aggressive upper sidewall along with offset shoulder blocks. This design not only protects the tire from sharp rocks but also provides additional off-road traction, particularly at low tire pressures or in off-camber situations.
The tire’s ability to navigate challenging off-road conditions while maintaining on-road comfort makes it a well-rounded choice for drivers seeking a tire that can handle a variety of terrains and weather scenarios.
3. Falken Azenis FK510 Tires
Zenith of the times – this is how Falken describes Azenis. It is a flagship series aiming to achieve superior performance on wet surfaces while delivering all-around handling. This ultra-high-performance tire is perfect even for the most discerning users.
One of the newest Falken tires is for performance drivers and premium vehicles. It uses high-quality compounds that promise exceptional grip. Whether you are on dry or wet surfaces, the tires are impressive.
Looking at its features, one of the most notable is the Adaptive Constant Pressure pattern. The latter is the one responsible for enhancing tread design, which improves directional stability.
The hybrid under-tread is one more thing that makes this a notable product. It inspires confidence while boosting stability and handling. It uses nylon and aramid, which are both innovative materials influential in the tire’s performance.
4. Falken Sincera SN 832i Tires
Safety, security, and reliability – these are three of the words that describe the Sincera tire line from Falken. The company utilizes its technological capabilities to develop a tire that is ideal for use in everyday cars.
Even with daily use, the tires are not easily prone to wear and tear. Its nylon band to steel belt to casing ply uses top-notch components that will deliver long-term functionality.
It also stands out because of the five-pitch variations, which minimize pattern noise. It adopts a variable pitch arrangement, making the tire quieter in different conditions.
More so, this model is impressive because of the asymmetric four-rib pattern. It has a robust profile that will make your rides more comfortable. It has strong pattern blocks even in small sizes, making it a great choice for Asian cars.
Falken Tire FAQs
Before we end this article about Falken tires, allow us to answer a few questions you might have:
How Much Do Falken Tires Cost?
The price of Falken tires depends on many factors. For instance, your location will dictate its cost. It is also different depending on the specific model, features, and technologies.
On average, the regular Falken tires cost anywhere from $150 to $250. On the other hand, their ultra-high-performance models are over $300.
What Is the Warranty of Falken Tires?
Falken warrants that their tires are free of defects and problems in craftsmanship six years from the date of production. Depending on the cause of wear, the company will replace the tires within the warranty coverage if there is an issue.
The company also offers a tread life warranty. This is based on mileage and will differ from one model to another.
How Do You Maintain Falken Tires?
To retain the tires’ peak condition, proper care and maintenance are essential. With that, below are some of the most important things to do:
- Monitor the air pressure at least once a month. Make sure that it meets the manufacturer’s recommendations, which you can see in the manual.
- Falken recommends using nitrogen for inflating tires. It maintains pressure longer. At the same time, it minimizes moisture.
- Rotate the tires after driving 5,000 miles. It will improve tread life and mileage while also enhancing overall performance.
- If you choose a size different from the original tire, do not go 3% higher or lower the overall diameter.
- Know when to replace the tires, especially when they start showing heavy damage. Check the wear bar for a visual indication of tire replacement.
Conclusion – Falken Tire Review
Falken tires are made in Japan. These ultra-high-performance tires became popular throughout the world, increasing their scope of production. Today, they are also made in the US, China, Turkey, Brazil, and South Africa.
While it may not be as popular as its leading competitors, Falken tires deliver plenty of benefits. They pack the most innovative technologies, guaranteeing exceptional performance. More so, these tires generate minimal noise, deliver versatile applications, and increase fuel efficiency.
Today, Falken has four main product categories globally: Azenis, Ziex, Wildpeak, and Sincera. Whether it is for everyday use or high-performance racing cars, the company manufactures a wide array of tires. They are reflective of superior design, making them at par with their more popular competitors.
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