Other Asian-made tires
There is another niche of Asian winter tires that dealers have dubbed "Chinese tires". I prefer to refer to Asian tires because not all of them come from China.
Take, for example, Kumho and especially Hankook tires, two quality South Korean brands that also make effective winter tires. Unfortunately, I didn't put them all to the test because they are products distributed on a low scale in Canada.
While Kumho's line is a little less extensive, its Wintercraft models should be considered. Hankook is a bit more extensive; motorists can consider the I-Pike and I-Cept lines.
In the same vein, remember that Indonesia's GT Radial makes winter tires that have satisfied many consumers in the past (note that GT Radial assured me that it has been able to avoid a shortage of them as its warehouses are filled with winter tires for the upcoming season). Also, South Korean brand Nexen (with additional factories in China) is one of the new choices to check out.
However, keep in mind that the availability of tires from Asia may be affected by supply issues, which will definitely drive up their prices. Again, caution should be exercised when choosing these tires - quality can vary.
I had the opportunity to try Sailun Ice Blazers early last winter on my Lincoln MKZ. They proved to be effective in the snow but at high speeds (130 km/h), they produced an unpleasant vibration.
