Giti on GTÜ tyre test: We’re “very confident” of our tyre’s performance levels

Three Chinese-made tyres were deemed to have “failed” the wet braking component of the latest summer tyre test jointly released by German motoring magazine Auto Zeitung and GTÜ, the country’s largest officially-recognised independent vehicle inspection organisation. The maker of one of the trio has issued a statement regarding the results.

“Giti Tire is disappointed with the results of the recent GT Radial SportActive test as published in Auto Zeitung, and with the subsequent reaction of Gesellschaft für Technische Überwachung (GTÜ) to focus largely on the performance of ‘Chinese’ tyres in wet braking alone,” writes the manufacturer of the GT Radial SportActive, which finished the test of 14 tyres in 11th place.

“The SportActive carries a B rating in wet braking – whereas nearly all other tyres in the test carry an A rating – and it achieves good scores in aquaplaning and the wet handling lap. The tyre is also only one of three in the test to carry the better rolling resistance rating of C, achieved as the tyre is positioned towards a total package of performances at a very good price instead of wet braking capabilities as the main overriding target.

“The SportActive development was very well-researched and designed in terms of its tyre performance within the targeted market position, which is to achieve a good balance between wet and dry performance, rolling resistance and mileage potential.

“The company is very confident with the performance levels of this new product which have been proven through extensive internal testing and with verification by external certification bodies. The SportActive has been independently tested by DEKRA, with whom further tests will be taken to ensure completely accurate results with true performance facts.”

Although the statement from Giti Tire focuses on the test performed and published by GTÜ/Auto Zeitung, the manufacturer also refers to the two summer tyre tests released by German motoring organisation the ADAC, and the absence of latest-generation GT Radial tyres in these tests: “As stated in the ADAC article, the GT Radial Champiro HPY is being replaced by the GT Radial SportActive, and the GT Radial VP1 has been superseded by the GT Radial FE1.”

After hearing the outcome of the summer tyre test conducted by Auto Club Europa (ACE), Giti Tire sent a test team to examine the GT Radial tyre that had been tested and also commissioned TÜV to carry out its own, independent tests. While no specific measures (beyond the aforementioned DEKRA testing) have been announced to address the GTÜ results, the tyre maker will certainly watch future test results very closely: “As a leading tyre manufacturer, Giti Tire shall continue to be very supportive of magazine tests which provide true, fair and comprehensive performance information to the market through proper and certified testing methodology. The company will continue to look closely at all tyre review tests and take the necessary investigations and actions where necessary to confirm the performance characteristics of its products.

“Giti Tire is always in close communications with all its key partners and distributors, all of whom are committed long-term to the GT Radial brand and who know and recognise the quality of the latest tyres,” concludes Giti Tire.