Budget Tyre Comparison NZ: 19 Brands Tested
Independent certification analysis. No sponsorships. Just data.
Contents
When Kiwis ask "are Chinese tyres any good?" or "what's the best budget tyre?", they deserve a straight answer backed by evidence. We compiled certification data across 19 budget and mid-tier tyre brands commonly sold in New Zealand to see which manufacturers actually invest in quality assurance, and which are coasting on price alone.
The results surprised us. Some brands you'd expect to lead the pack are missing key certifications, while one budget brand has credentials that rival premium manufacturers.
Key Findings
Only Anchee combines ISO 17025 (accredited lab), ISO 14001 (environmental), and OHSAS 18001 (worker safety) certifications. Add the Yokohama technology partnership, and you have a budget tyre with credentials most "premium" brands can't match.
Anchee × Yokohama Partnership
Anchee tyres are manufactured using technology and compounds developed in partnership with Yokohama Rubber Company — a Japanese manufacturer with 100+ years of experience and Formula 1 heritage.
What is ISO 17025 and Why Does It Matter?
ISO/IEC 17025 is the international standard for testing and calibration laboratories. When a tyre manufacturer holds this certification, it means their testing lab has been independently verified to produce accurate, reliable results.
Think of it as the difference between a manufacturer saying "trust us, we tested it" versus "our testing meets the same standards as government laboratories worldwide." The certification requires regular audits, staff competency verification, and equipment calibration traceability.
Most budget tyre manufacturers rely on third-party labs for testing. Only 4 of the 19 brands we analysed have their own ISO 17025 accredited testing facilities — meaning they've invested millions in ensuring every tyre meets specification before it leaves the factory.
Full 19-Brand Certification Comparison
| Brand | DOT / ECE | ISO 17025 Lab Testing |
ISO 14001 Environment |
OHSAS 18001 Safety |
IATF 16949 Auto QMS |
Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchee | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | China |
| Nexen Mid-tier | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Korea |
| Evergreen | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | China |
| Achilles | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | Indonesia |
| Maxxis Premium | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | Taiwan |
| Kumho Mid-tier | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | Korea |
| GT Radial (Giti) | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | Singapore/Indonesia |
| Federal | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Taiwan |
| Nankang | ✓ | 3P1 | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | Taiwan |
| Sailun | ✓ | 3P2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | China |
| Triangle | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | China |
| Linglong | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | China |
| Goodride (ZC Rubber) | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | China |
| Hifly | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | China |
| Landsail (Sentury) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | China/Thailand |
| Accelera (Eptyres) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | Indonesia |
| Zeetex | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | UAE/China |
| Blacklion | ✓ | CN3 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | China |
| Royalblack | ✓ | ✗ | ?4 | ?4 | ✗ | China |
Notes
1 Nankang's RRC lab uses TÜV SÜD/IDIADA accreditation (third-party), not in-house ISO 17025.
2 Sailun testing conducted at IDIADA/TÜV facilities in Europe, not own accredited lab.
3 Blacklion claims CNAS lab approval — a domestic Chinese accreditation, not internationally recognised ISO 17025.
4 Royalblack lists ISO 14001/OHSAS 18001 on some listings but independent verification is limited.
Methodology: Data compiled from manufacturer websites, official certification databases, and industry publications. Accurate as of December 2025. We welcome corrections from manufacturers with supporting documentation.
Brand vs Brand: How Anchee Compares
Here's how Anchee stacks up against the brands Kiwi drivers most often compare it to:
Anchee vs Nexen
Nexen is a Korean mid-tier brand with strong OEM relationships (Porsche, BMW, Volkswagen). They're one of only 4 brands with ISO 17025 accreditation. However, Nexen costs significantly more than Anchee in NZ.
The difference: Nearly identical certification profiles. Both have ISO 17025 + ISO 14001 + OHSAS 18001 + IATF 16949. Anchee delivers the same quality assurance at budget pricing.
✓ Verdict: If you want Korean brand recognition, pay more for Nexen. If you want equal certifications at lower prices, choose Anchee.
Anchee vs Maxxis
Maxxis is a premium Taiwanese brand with excellent reputation and motorsport heritage. They're the 11th largest tyre company globally with manufacturing in Taiwan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and India.
The surprise: Despite premium positioning and global scale, Maxxis does not have ISO 17025 accredited testing facilities. Anchee does. You're paying premium prices for less testing transparency.
✓ Verdict: Maxxis has brand prestige. Anchee has superior testing credentials at half the price.
Anchee vs Kumho
Kumho is a well-established Korean manufacturer and OEM supplier to major automakers. Many Kiwis consider them a "safe" mid-tier choice.
The gap: Kumho lacks ISO 17025 accreditation. They have ISO 14001 and IATF 16949, but not the gold standard for testing laboratories. Anchee has what Kumho doesn't.
✓ Verdict: Kumho relies on brand recognition; Anchee proves quality through independent certification.
Anchee vs GT Radial
GT Radial (made by Giti Tire) is a Singapore-headquartered company with Indonesian manufacturing. They're a global top-15 tyre manufacturer with OEM contracts including Volkswagen.
What's missing: GT Radial has ISO 14001 and IATF 16949, but no ISO 17025. They use standard quality management but not accredited testing labs.
✓ Verdict: GT Radial is reputable but lacks the testing credentials Anchee provides.
Anchee vs Triangle
Triangle is one of China's largest tyre manufacturers with massive production capacity. They export to 180+ countries.
The gap: Triangle lacks both ISO 17025 and OHSAS 18001. They have scale, but not the quality assurance depth that Anchee provides.
✓ Verdict: Triangle is big. Anchee is better certified.
Anchee vs Sailun
Sailun has grown rapidly and has solid certifications including ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001. They're often compared favourably to Triangle and Linglong.
The difference: Sailun uses third-party testing labs (IDIADA, TÜV) rather than maintaining their own ISO 17025 accredited facility. Anchee tests in-house to the same international standards.
✓ Verdict: Sailun outsources testing. Anchee owns the quality assurance process end-to-end.
Anchee vs Landsail
Landsail (made by Sentury Tire) markets themselves as having "Industry 4.0 Smart Factory" status. They also manufacture aviation tyres for Boeing 737 aircraft.
What's missing: Despite the marketing, Landsail doesn't advertise ISO 17025, ISO 14001, or OHSAS 18001 certifications. Smart factory automation doesn't equal quality assurance certification.
✓ Verdict: Landsail has modern factories. Anchee has internationally verified testing.
Anchee vs Federal
Federal is a Taiwanese brand with serious motorsport credentials. They partnered with Bridgestone (1960-1979) and Sumitomo/Dunlop (1981-2000), and are popular with drifters worldwide for performance tyres like the 595RS-PRO.
What's missing: Federal has ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 for quality and environmental management, but no ISO 17025 accredited testing lab. Their motorsport heritage doesn't translate to comprehensive quality certification.
✓ Verdict: Federal is great for weekend warriors. For everyday driving with verified quality assurance, Anchee wins.
Anchee vs Nankang
Nankang is Taiwan's oldest tyre manufacturer (founded 1959) with a strong following in the performance and drifting community. They operate an RRC (Rubber Research Centre) testing facility.
The catch: Nankang's lab uses TÜV SÜD and IDIADA accreditation — reputable third-party certifiers, but not their own ISO 17025 accredited facility. They also lack OHSAS 18001 worker safety certification. And they typically cost more than Anchee.
✓ Verdict: Nankang has heritage and third-party testing. Anchee has in-house ISO 17025 at lower prices.
Anchee vs Hifly
Hifly is a legitimate mainstream budget brand with solid regional market coverage. They're often seen as a reasonable benchmark in the budget segment with IATF 16949 automotive quality certification.
The gaps: Hifly lacks ISO 17025 (no accredited testing lab), ISO 14001 (environmental), and OHSAS 18001 (worker safety). They meet the basics but haven't invested in comprehensive quality systems.
✓ Verdict: Hifly is a reasonable budget option. Anchee is a better-certified budget option at similar pricing.
Anchee vs Linglong
Linglong is one of China's largest tyre manufacturers, ranking in the global top 20. They have OEM relationships and export to 180+ countries.
What's missing: Despite massive scale, Linglong lacks ISO 17025 and OHSAS 18001. They have ISO 14001 and IATF 16949, but not the complete certification package Anchee provides.
✓ Verdict: Linglong has volume. Anchee has verification.
Anchee vs Goodride
Goodride (made by ZC Rubber/Zhongce) is another Chinese giant — actually the largest tyre manufacturer in China. They produce tyres for multiple brands and have serious production capacity.
The gap: Like Linglong, Goodride has ISO 14001 and IATF 16949 but no ISO 17025 or OHSAS 18001. Size doesn't equal certification depth.
✓ Verdict: Goodride is massive. Anchee is more thoroughly certified.
Anchee vs Accelera
Accelera (made by Eptyres in Indonesia) markets themselves on performance and affordable pricing. They're popular in the performance/drifting community.
What's missing: Accelera has basic DOT/ECE compliance but lacks ISO 17025, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, and IATF 16949. Minimal certification for a performance-focused brand.
✓ Verdict: Accelera talks performance. Anchee proves quality with certifications.
Anchee vs Blacklion
Blacklion is a budget Chinese brand that claims CNAS laboratory approval on some marketing materials.
The problem: CNAS is a domestic Chinese accreditation system — not the internationally recognised ISO 17025 standard. Blacklion also lacks ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001. Limited brand transparency and a significant certification gap compared to quality-focused manufacturers.
✓ Verdict: Blacklion uses domestic certifications. Anchee meets international standards. The difference is substantial.
Anchee vs Royalblack
Royalblack sits at the lower end of the budget segment. Some listings claim ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001, but independent verification is limited.
The reality: No ISO 17025 accredited testing. No IATF 16949 automotive certification. Minimal brand presence and limited transparency about manufacturing and quality processes.
✓ Verdict: Royalblack is cheap. Anchee is certified. When it comes to what keeps your family safe on the road, the choice is obvious.
Anchee vs Zeetex
Zeetex is a UAE-based brand (distributed by ZAFCO) with manufacturing in China. They position themselves in the budget-to-mid segment.
What's missing: Zeetex lacks ISO 17025, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, and IATF 16949. Basic market compliance only.
✓ Verdict: Zeetex is a trading brand. Anchee is a manufacturing brand with verified quality systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Chinese tyres safe?
Quality varies dramatically between Chinese tyre brands. All tyres sold in NZ must meet DOT/ECE safety standards, so they're legal to use. But the real question is: how thoroughly were they tested? Brands with ISO 17025 accredited labs (like Anchee) have their testing verified to international standards. Brands without this certification rely on self-declaration or third-party spot checks.
What certifications should I look for when buying tyres?
At minimum: DOT (US) or ECE (European) approval for legal compliance. For quality assurance: ISO 17025 is the gold standard for testing accuracy. ISO 14001 shows environmental responsibility. OHSAS 18001 demonstrates worker safety commitment. IATF 16949 is required for OEM automotive supply.
Why is Anchee cheaper than Kumho or Maxxis if it has better certifications?
Brand recognition drives pricing more than quality metrics. Kumho and Maxxis have spent decades building brand awareness through motorsport sponsorships and marketing. Anchee invests in certifications and quality assurance instead of advertising budgets. You're paying for what matters (quality) rather than what sounds familiar (brand name).
Will budget tyres pass my WOF?
Yes. All tyres in our comparison meet legal standards for New Zealand roads. WOF requirements focus on tread depth (minimum 1.5mm), visible damage, and correct fitment — not brand or certification level. However, better-certified tyres are more likely to maintain consistent performance throughout their lifespan.
What's the Yokohama connection with Anchee?
Anchee tyres are manufactured using technology, compounds, and processes developed in partnership with Yokohama Rubber Company. Yokohama is a Japanese premium tyre manufacturer with over 100 years of experience and Formula 1 racing heritage. This partnership brings premium engineering to budget pricing.
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About This Comparison
This comparison was compiled by Tyre Dispatch to help New Zealand consumers make informed decisions. We stock Anchee tyres because we believe in their quality, but we've presented certification data for all brands as accurately as possible.
We welcome corrections. If you're a manufacturer representative and believe any data is incorrect, please contact us with supporting documentation and we'll update accordingly.
Data sources: Manufacturer websites, ISO certification databases, IATF public database, industry publications. Last verified December 2025.
