Nokian Building U.S. Tire Plant

Nokian tires, known for their ecological manufacturing process, foul-weather performance and durability, will be manufactured in the United States.

Nokian tires have been manufactured farther north —in Finland—than any other tires on the market. It’s only fitting that Nokian lines include all-season and winter tires that many enthusiasts—and experts—consider some of the best available.

The company’s newest factory is under construction in Dayton, Tennessee. Manufacturing there is scheduled to begin by 2020.

The company also makes summer tires that have earned a reputation as excellent wet-road performers. Environmentally sound, Nokian makes its tires with non-aromatic natural oils, and they employ technologies that help their tires achieve the highest European energy rating, so they save money at the pump.

Supplying North America

The Tennessee plant will make tires for passenger vehicles and light trucks, so the output will be destined for cars, crossovers, SUVs and pickups/vans.

With U.S. production, Nokian hopes to meet growing demands for its products throughout North America. Eventually the Dayton factory will be capable of producing 4 million tires annually, according to Tire Business, the trade journal. The plant will encompass about 830,000 square feet and employ about 400.

3-Continent Expansion

Nokian’s Tennessee plant is only the latest link in the Finnish company’s steady, two-decade expansion. Nokian, which is partly owned by Bridgestone, opened a plant in Vsevolozhsk, Russia, in 2005. Its marketing efforts in Eastern Europe and Asia were so successful that it built a new plant next to the existing one in Vsevolozhsk in 2012. Nokian operates marketing divisions in Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Belarus, China and other countries.

Nokian Tires at Priority Tire:

Nokian Line SUV summer tire. This tire is more than a fair-weather friend. The Line SUV tire has earned a reputation for safe wet-road performance. Although not an off-road tire, the Line SUV can handle soft roads to get you to that country cottage. Bullet-shaped notches in the grooves lower highway noise, making it a good tire for vehicles that spend most of their miles in and around town.

Nokian ZLine all-season tire. Available from PTO as an all-season tire (the ZLine summer tire has a different tread), the ZLine A/S is a high-performance tire for passenger cars. It can be driven year-round. The W speed rating indicates a top end of 168 miles per hour. The ZLine, although engineered for performance, is quiet and comfortable at speed. It also fairs well in rain because of its wide channels and grooves, and plentiful sipes.

Nokian Entyre all-season tire. Here’s a year-round tire with excellent highway manners and durability. The tire is rated T for speeds up to 118 mph. Its XL (extra load) rating allows higher inflation pressures, contributing to better fuel efficiency. The Entyre carries a 50,000- or 75,000-mile tread wear warranty, depending on size. Bullet-shaped indentations in the grooves help to quiet the ride.

Nokian Rotiiva AT tire. Going off-road with your pickup or SUV? The Rotiiva AT is an all-terrain tire with performance as good off-road as it is on the pavement. Aramid, which also goes into bulletproof vests, makes up the cords, adding strength and stability. The Rotiiva comes with a treadwear warranty of 40,000 or 50,000 miles, depending on size. A strong carcass prevents damage from nature’s unfriendly surfaces. A shoulder design that reduces highway squirm also lowers operating temperatures, extending tread life. Heavy siping delivers bite in all conditions, including rain and light snow.