Giti - What is this tire that equips some Mini "Made in China"?

Produced in China, the new Mini Cooper electric sees some of its units sold in France fitted with unknown Giti tires.

Giti. One might first think of a large discount retail chain, then the eye takes stock. Giti, Giti, what is this tire brand that equips the new stunning Mini Cooper electric? On a car sold for almost 40,000 euros, let’s hope that Mini hasn’t opted for a second-tier Chinese manufacturer…

A report online unfortunately confirms the fears. The Asian firm is registered in Singapore for the prestige of the business card, but the factories are Chinese. The historical company was founded in 1951 in Indonesia and specialized in manufacturing tires and bicycle inner tubes. Starting in 1993, it entered the Chinese automotive market, building factories there by 2000. The internationalization plan continued with the opening of a factory in the United States (South Carolina) and various development centers, notably in Germany.

Today, Giti is said to be the 10th largest tire manufacturer in the world and employs 32,000 people globally. However, the company remains unknown in France, which seems even more surprising on a Mini Cooper positioned as a premium vehicle.

Tires at 43 euros!

Produced in the Zhangjiagang factory in China by its partner Great Wall Motor, the Mini Cooper electric is expected to be shipped back to England (Oxford) soon to supply the European market. This production location seems to explain why some units, surprisingly not all, are equipped with Giti Comfort225 V1 tires. A tire whose ratings in various tests are not commendable and whose selling price on specialized sites hovers around 43 euros including tax… and delivered! A tire whose braking distances, in both dry and wet conditions, as well as resistance and road noise, are far from the benchmarks of Michelin, GoodYear, or Pirelli.

It now remains for the consumer to request – or even specify – to their dealer the tires that will equip their car upon delivery. Because buying four “real” tires, worthy of such an expensive sports car, could already mean an additional 1000 euros. And if you take it on a lease or long-term rental, well… you won’t have a choice!

And what do you think about Giti tires on the new Mini Cooper?