How to Identify American-Made Tires & Support Local Businesses

When it comes to vehicle maintenance, your tires are among the most critical components. They directly impact safety, fuel efficiency, and overall driving performance. With advancements in tire technology, major brands continuously compete to deliver superior durability, traction, and eco-friendly solutions. However, for many consumers, purchasing tires isn’t just about performance—it’s also about supporting local economies and American manufacturing.

Why Buying American-Made Tires Matters

In an era of globalization, many well-known “American” brands outsource production overseas. While this can reduce costs, it also means fewer jobs stay within the U.S. By choosing tires manufactured domestically, you contribute to:

✅ Boosting Local Economies – Supporting American workers and businesses.
✅ Higher Quality Standards – U.S. factories often adhere to stricter safety and environmental regulations.
✅ Reduced Carbon Footprint – Locally made tires require less transportation, lowering emissions.

But how can you be sure your tires are truly American-made? Here’s how to verify their origin.

How to Check Where Your Tires Were Manufactured

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires all tire manufacturers to stamp a unique code indicating the production facility. Here’s how to decode it:

Locate the DOT Code – Found on the tire’s sidewall, it starts with “DOT” followed by a series of letters/numbers.
Identify the Plant Code – The first two characters after “DOT” reveal the manufacturing location.
Verify the Origin – Use the DOT’s Manufacturer Information Database (vPIC) to look up the plant.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Visit the NHTSA vPIC website.
Under “Manufacturer Information Database,” click vPIC MID.
Check the box for “Equipment Plants (Tires, Brake Hoses, Retread and Glazing).”
Select “Tires” from the dropdown menu.
Enter the DOT code (e.g., “CH” for Pirelli’s Hanford, CA plant).
Click “Search” to see the factory location.

Alternatively, we’ve compiled a list of major brands and their U.S. manufacturing codes for quick reference.

Top American-Made Tire Brands & Their U.S. Plants

1. Goodyear

Founded: 1898 in Akron, Ohio
U.S. Plants: Ohio (MB), Oklahoma (M6), Virginia (MC), Alabama (MD), North Carolina (MM, PJ), Kansas (MJ), Illinois (MN), Texas (MP, PL), Tennessee (MK)
Why Choose Goodyear? A legacy brand with a mix of budget and premium options. While some production occurs overseas, many tires are still made in America.

2. Cooper Tires (Now Part of Goodyear)

Founded: 1914 in Findlay, Ohio
U.S. Plants: Ohio (UP), Georgia (3D), Mississippi (U9), Arkansas (UT)
Why Choose Cooper? Known for affordable, high-mileage tires. Subsidiaries like Mastercraft and Mickey Thompson also produce U.S.-made tires.

3. TreadWright (100% American-Made & Eco-Friendly)

Based: Houston, Texas
Why Choose TreadWright?
- Only fully U.S.-made brand on this list.
- Specializes in retreaded tires, reducing waste.
- Uses recycled materials and 70% less oil than conventional tire production.
- Offers a 50,000-mile warranty on many models.

Foreign-Owned Brands with U.S. Factories

Many international tire companies operate American plants, providing jobs while maintaining global quality standards.

Brand	Origin	U.S. Plant Locations (DOT Codes)
Continental	Germany	IL (6B, A3), OH (A9), KY (AD), NC (AC), SC (VY)
Pirelli	Italy	CA (CH), TN (CK), GA (JR)
Michelin	France	SC (4M, M3, B6, B9), AL (B7)
Yokohama	Japan	VA (CC)
Firestone	Japan (Bridgestone)	IA, SC, NC, TN

Pro Tip: The AFL-CIO Union-Made in America list includes additional brands like Dunlop, Goodrich, and Kelly Springfield that produce union-made tires in the U.S.

Final Tips for Buying American-Made Tires

🔹 Ask Your Retailer – Some shops specialize in U.S.-made tires.
🔹 Check DOT Codes – Always verify before purchasing.
🔹 Support Small Businesses – Local tire shops often carry American brands.
🔹 Consider Retreads – Eco-friendly options like TreadWright reduce waste.

By choosing American-made tires, you invest in local jobs, higher quality, and sustainability. Next time you need new tires, check the DOT code—your purchase can make a difference!

Tesla gives up on selling cars

Google’s AI enabled me to create subpar Nintendo knockoffs

Chevrolet’s Silverado ZR2 looks great, but smart money buys a different trim

OpenAI disputes culpability in the teen suicide action, citing’misuse’ of ChatGPT

Cars

RESALE VALUE OF THE MAZDA CX-5: HOW QUICK HAS THE SUV DEPRECIATED?

by George Mensah 2025-11-15

The Mazda CX-5 has been one of Mazda’s most influential models since its debut in 2012. Now entering its third generation with the 2026 model year, this compact SUV remains at the heart of the brand’s global success. Over 4.5 million units have been sold worldwide, of which 1.6 million were purchased in the United States, thus easily making it one of Mazda’s most successful nameplates.

But for many shoppers, especially in the used market, one major question remains: How well does the Mazda CX-5 hold its value over time?

Depreciation Breakdown: How Much Value Does a Mazda CX-5 Lose?

The resale value largely depends on the level of depreciation-the natural decline in a vehicle’s worth as time and mileage pile up. While CarEdge data indicates that the CX-5 holds its value relatively well for its class, it still depreciates more quickly than many of its top competitors.

Two-Year-Old Mazda CX-5

Average Depreciation: $12,963

Value Retained: 66.57%

Estimated Resale Value: $25,815

Mileage Assumption: 27,000 miles total (13,500 per year)

Five-Year-Old Mazda CX-5

Average Depreciation: $16,217

Value Retained: 58.18%

Estimated Resale Value: $22,561

Mileage Assumption: 67,500 miles total

These numbers suggest that while the CX-5 retains decent value, it nevertheless surrenders a significant portion of its value within the first five-year period, which is typically where most vehicles lose their value the fastest.

What Influences Depreciation Beyond Age and Mileage?

While time and mileage are the primary drivers of depreciation, several other factors play a major role in how much a used CX-5 is worth:

History of maintenance

The better choice will always be a well-maintained CX-5.

Consistent oil changes

Scheduled services according to Mazda’s recommendations

Proper care for brakes, tires, and fluids

Complete service records can help your vehicle sell more quickly and bring a better sale price.

Type of Driving

A car that does a lot of highway driving is often easier on the vehicle than constant stop-and-go city driving. A CX-5 that has spent its entire life doing long road trips might show less wear than one used to commute daily.

History of Accidents

Clean CarFax or AutoCheck reports greatly increase resale value.

Trim Level and Features

Higher trims, such as the Grand Touring or Signature, especially those with premium packages, will generally retain value better than their base-model brethren.

How the CX-5 Stacks Up Against Its Rivals

The compact SUV segment is highly competitive, with vehicles like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester always ranking near the very top in resale value. Here’s how the CX-5 compares:

After 2 Years

Toyota RAV4: 83.52% retained

Honda CR-V: 78.77%

Subaru Forester: 77.20%

Mazda CX-5: 66.57%

After 5 Years

Toyota RAV4: 69.42% retained

Honda CR-V: 67.01%

Subaru Forester: 65.98%

Mazda CX-5: 58.18%

These figures indicate that the CX-5 depreciates more quickly than its most popular rivals. For buyers, this is actually a good thing – used CX-5 models usually sell for less than similarly-equipped RAV4s or CR-Vs.

For sellers, though, the lower resale value means they may not recover as much of their investment when it’s time to move on.

The Bottom Line: Who Benefits Most?

Buyers: Buyers benefit by paying lower used prices because of higher depreciation.

Sellers: See resale returns lower than that of CR-V and RAV4 owners.

Simply stated, high depreciation works in the buyer’s favor, while strong resale value benefits the seller. Knowing which side you’re on helps you make the smartest financial decision.

Looking Ahead: The 2026 Mazda CX-5

Mazda is getting ready to introduce the highly anticipated third-generation CX-5 for the 2026 model year. Early reports indicate that

Refined design inspired by the CX-60 and CX-70

Updated safety and entertainment technology

More efficient powertrains

Improved handling and comfort These upgrades might be worth considering for shoppers who are torn between buying used or waiting for the latest model.

Cars

Despite not being enjoyable, the 2026 Toyota Corrola Cross hybrid is funny

by George Mensah 2025-10-29

Generative AI has moved from specialist interest to part of daily life — transforming all from entertainment to the workplace. From AI-generated art, deepfakes, and intelligent chatbots capable of talking like humans, AI is now part of modern life. Yet with technology racing ahead, so do fears it will spin out of control.

Now, a new generation of scientists, business leaders, and celebrities are calling for a slowdown on the next frontier: AI superintelligence — a form of artificial intelligence that potentially could surpass human intellectual ability in almost every dimension.

The Pushback: A Global Call to Slow Down AI Development

A collection of public personalities — such as Virgin Group creator Richard Branson, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and musician will.i.am — signed a new open letter called the “Statement on Superintelligence.”

The warning asks developers and businesses racing towards state-of-the-art AI systems, including OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI, to delay the magnitude of massive AI projects until there is a “broad scientific consensus that it will be done safely and controllably” and a “strong public buy-in” to support it.

Notably among them are two of the leading AI researchers, who are also cofounders of modern machine learning. The movement is thus quite heavily weighted.

“We must ensure that AI is serving humanity, and not vice versa,” the letter demands, threatening dire consequences in the event of runaway progress.

What Is AI Superintelligence — and Why Does It Worry Experts?

In order to understand the alarm, defining what AI superintelligence really is, is essential. Superintelligent AI, according to IBM, is a system which not only matches but far exceeds human intelligence — capable of reasoning, learning, and solving problems for itself in every respect, free of human control.

Contrary to current AI systems such as ChatGPT or Gemini, whose boundaries and data sets are defined, superintelligent AI would be continuously learning and evolving, rewriting its own code to increase efficiency and capability. Such recursive enhancement could make it almost impossible to contain.

“A true superintelligence would no longer need human oversight,” said Stuart Russell, an AI researcher at UC Berkeley. “At that point, its goals might diverge from ours — and we’d have no way to stop it.”

The Risks: From Job Losses to Existential Threats

The possible dangers of AI superintelligence go much beyond job automation or misinformation. The threat is mentioned by experts as the possibility of AI systems executing on their own in pursuit of ends that are in conflict with human values or safety.

Some of the highest threats:

Massive Job Displacement – AI already revolutionizes industries, but an entirely automated self-enhancing system could eliminate entire professions, ranging from programmers to creative professionals.

Loss of Human Control – The moment an AI begins to be smarter than the people who create it, it might be beyond control.

Weaponization and Surveillance – AI might be utilized by governments or corporations for total surveillance or robot war.

Existential Risk – In the worst-case scenario, a rogue AI with goals of its own would view humankind as an obstacle — one which scientists describe as a “digital doomsday.”.

Even if these ideas sound like science fiction, specialists argue that rejection of them would be naively dangerous. History has shown that humanity always underestimated the capabilities of its own inventions — from nuclear energy to biotechnology.

Increasing Public Alarm and Demand for Regulation

Public sentiment is shifting rapidly. A 2025 Pew Research Center survey found that 67% of Americans now support greater government regulation of AI, up from 42% two years earlier. The European Union has already legislatively signed the AI Act into law, establishing the globe’s first extensive regulatory framework for artificial intelligence, while U.S. lawmakers are determining how to follow.

Tech giants, however, are still racing ahead. OpenAI, xAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic are investing billions in “next-generation” AI models that could approach or surpass human-level reasoning.

“We’re in an AI arms race, and everyone wants to be first — but that could also mean being first to make a catastrophic mistake,” warned Richard Branson in a recent statement.

Is It Already Too Late to Stop?

Until now, actual AI superintelligence is still theoretical, although most experts foresee that it might arise in the next two decades if trends continue. The question is not whether or when it will happen, but whether human civilization will be prepared — morally, technically, and legally — when it does.

“The clock is ticking,” declared Yoshua Bengio. “We still have time to make this technology safe. But not much.”

The Bottom Line: Humanity at a Crossroads

The debate over AI superintelligence is no longer confined to labs or tech circles — it has become a global conversation about the future of humanity itself. As generative AI becomes ubiquitous, the next phase could redefine civilization in ways we’re only beginning to imagine.

Whether the Statement on Superintelligence does indeed result in change is yet to be known. But this much is definite: the world has finally realized that the latest technology human beings have ever come up with has the potential to be the most deadly — unless we can learn how to control it before it controls us.

Load More Posts