'Counterfeit' tires pose consumer risk manufacturer disavows them

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/11/counterfeit-car-tires-pose-consumer-risk/index.htm?EXTKEY=NS0N01412

Tested Chinese tires underperform; manufacturer disavows them
Published: November 17, 2014 06:00 AM

Video: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/video-hub/3892298302001/

What began as a routine tire test became a journey through a maze of deception, finger-pointing, and a lack of accountability that in itself could prove dangerous if the product should prove to be defective.

When it comes to safety and performance, Consumer Reports has long said that you shouldn’t skimp on tires. That’s what we discovered once again when we recently tested three sets of Chinese-branded all-season truck tires that cost as little as $89 apiece in our test size, 265/70R17. All three of these bargain-bin tires landed at the bottom of our Ratings, in part because of their performance in our winter-condition test, as well as so-so to poor tread life. The surprise came when the owner and distributor of one set of the tires alleged that the tires we tested were “gray market”—that is, produced or sold by a factory and vendor that were not authorized to make or distribute them—and from tire molds that may have been stolen.

We’ve heard of fake Louis Vuitton handbags, Rolex watches, and “vintage” Bordeaux wines. But this was different.

Is it possible that a tire factory could hijack another company's brand and import “unauthorized” tires under the noses of U.S. customs and safety officials, and then sell them through legitimate retail channels on the open market? And what happens to the consumer when the owner of the brand name and the tire retailer walk away from any responsibility for the suspect tire?

‘Not authorized’ tires
The Odyssey began when Consumer Reports tested the $95 Chinese-made Pegasus Advanta SUV tire and found its performance in winter conditions, specifically snow traction and ice braking, was poor.

FULL story at link.