Tire brand
Prinx Chengshan
Prinx Chengshan is a tire manufacturer of Chinese origin (Rongcheng, Shandong province) listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the code 1809.HK.
IntermédiaireCamionnette
Brand profile
Prinx Chengshan is a tire manufacturer of Chinese origin (Rongcheng, Shandong province) listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the code 1809.HK. The group designs and produces semi-steel radial tires for cars and SUVs, all-steel radial tires for trucks and buses, as well as bias-ply tires. Its portfolio brings together the Prinx, Chengshan, Austone, and Fortune brands, distributed in more than 130 countries.
Positioning: Positioning: Passenger, SUV, light truck, and heavy-duty tires (cars, trucks, buses, commercial applications).
History
Chengshan was founded in 1976 in Rongcheng, in the coastal province of Shandong, China, initially as a manufacturer of rubber products before becoming one of the country's first tire producers. As early as 1981, the company put its first radial tire line into operation and was among the first in China to run an independent radial line in the early 1990s. The Austone brand was launched in 1999 for export. In November 2014, following an earlier joint venture with the American group Cooper Tire, the company was reorganized under the name Prinx Chengshan (Shandong) Tire Company, the result of a partnership between Prairie Investment and the Chengshan group, marking a new cycle of products and technologies. On October 9, 2018, Prinx Chengshan Holding was listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (1809.HK). In 2022, the group unveiled its global flagship brand, Prinx, at The Tire Cologne trade show, positioned above the value-oriented Austone and Fortune lines. On the production side, the historic Rongcheng plant has a capacity of about 4.6 million heavy-duty tires and 6.5 million passenger tires per year. In 2019, the group began building its first overseas plant, in Chonburi, Thailand, which came online in the early 2020s (a first phase targeting 4 million passenger tires and 800,000 truck/bus tires, with an initial investment of around 300 million dollars). The industrial network then expanded along a "China + Thailand + Malaysia" strategy. In North America, Prinx Chengshan Tire North America (PCTNA), a subsidiary established in 2019 and based in West Covina, California, handles the exclusive distribution of the Prinx and Fortune brands in the United States and Canada, with most North American tires coming from the Thai plant.
Technologies
Manufacturing relies on semi-steel radial tires (passenger and SUV) and all-steel radial tires (trucks and buses), where steel belts replace the older bias-ply carcasses to improve durability and stability. Recent road models use nano-filled rubber compounds (Nano Blend) designed to maintain grip throughout the life of the tread. Asymmetric tread patterns with dense sipes and longitudinal grooves are aimed at water evacuation and hydroplaning resistance. The company holds the industry's standard quality and compliance certifications, including IATF 16949, ISO 14001, CCC, DOT, ECE, INMETRO, and GSO, and its testing center is ISO 17025 accredited. The Prinx, Austone, and Fortune brands produced in Thailand also comply with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) ahead of the official deadline.
Innovations
The group's research and development focuses on nano-filled compounds and tread architectures optimized for wet braking, acoustic comfort, and even wear. The development of all-season lines certified 3PMSF (three-peak mountain snowflake) reflects the effort to adapt to markets with harsh winters such as Canada. It should be noted, however, that Prinx Chengshan recalled more than 541,000 winter tires in North America from the Fortune Tormenta and Prinx HiCountry lines, manufactured between 2020 and 2024, deemed to provide insufficient snow traction despite the 3PMSF marking—a recall that illustrates the limits surrounding these certifications. The group is also investing in production facilities qualified at the OEM level and in lines intended for electric vehicles, a segment where the Prinx brand has been showcased at international trade shows. Compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation reflects the company's sustainability orientation.
Manufacturing
The headquarters and historic plant are located in Rongcheng, in Shandong province, China, with an annual capacity of about 4.6 million heavy-duty tires and 6.5 million passenger tires. The first overseas plant, in Chonburi (Thailand), produces most of the tires destined for North America; the group subsequently announced an expansion into Malaysia as part of a "China + Thailand + Malaysia" network. There is no plant in Canada: distribution is handled by Prinx Chengshan Tire North America (PCTNA), a subsidiary founded in 2019 and based in West Covina, California, through a growing network of retailers. In Quebec, the tires are therefore obtained through this network of distributors and dealers.
Reputation
Prinx Chengshan positions itself in the value to mid-range segment, with the Prinx brand as the premium spearhead and Austone and Fortune as more affordable options. In North America, the lineup covers more than 400 references for cars, SUVs, and commercial applications, and the dealer network has grown since 2022. User reviews of models such as the HiRace HZ2 highlight good value for money. For Quebec, an important point: a 2024-2025 recall targeted Fortune Tormenta and Prinx HiCountry winter tires for insufficient snow traction. It is therefore advisable to verify the winter compliance (3PMSF and the Quebec requirement from December 1 to March 15) of the exact model before purchasing.
Models and families
Related Prinx Chengshan models
These families are presented for reference. Actual availability depends on the catalogue and sizes.