Nitto tires are made by Toyo Tire Corporation, the Japanese tire giant that has owned the Nitto brand since 1979.
Nitto is a performance and enthusiast focused brand, best known for its truck, off road, and ultra high performance tires.
Toyo Tire Corporation is headquartered in Itami, Japan, and ranks among the top ten tire companies in the world by revenue.
Knowing that Toyo builds Nitto helps explain how an enthusiast focused brand can deliver serious engineering at a competitive price.
This article covers who makes Nitto tires, where they are produced, who owns the brand, what they are known for, how they compare to a rival, and whether they are any good.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Makes Nitto Tires?
Nitto tires are made by Nitto Tire, which operates as a subsidiary of Toyo Tire Corporation.
Nitto was founded in Japan in 1949 as an independent manufacturer, then became part of Toyo through a partnership in 1979.
In North America, Nitto operates through Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc., headquartered in Cypress, California.
Toyo and Nitto share research, technology, and manufacturing facilities, but maintain separate brand identities aimed at different markets.
Nitto focuses on the enthusiast and lifestyle market, while Toyo covers a broader everyday and commercial range.
Where Are Nitto Tires Made?
Nitto tires are made in Japan, the United States, and other Toyo facilities around the world.
Nitto’s United States plant is located in White, Georgia, and has been operating since 2005.
The Georgia plant produces popular models including the Grappler series and the NT 555, with a capacity of about 2.5 million tires per year.
Toyo also runs a European plant in Neuss, Germany, that can supply Nitto branded tires for certain markets.
The sidewall code on each tire confirms the exact plant where it was produced.
Who Owns Nitto Tires?
Nitto is owned by Toyo Tire Corporation of Japan.
Toyo acquired full ownership of Nitto through a series of agreements beginning in 1979 and formalised the North American operation as Nitto Tire North America Inc. in 1999.
Toyo is a publicly traded Japanese company and ranks as one of the largest tire makers in the world, as noted in its company history.
That Toyo ownership gives Nitto access to deep engineering resources and a global manufacturing network.
What Are Nitto Tires Known For?
Nitto is best known for its Grappler series of truck and off road tires.
The Ridge Grappler, launched in 2017, practically created the hybrid all terrain category by combining aggressive off road styling with a quiet enough ride for daily highway use.
The Trail Grappler handles serious mud terrain work, while the Terra Grappler G2 prioritises highway comfort for truck owners.
On the performance side, the NT05 and NT555 G2 are respected choices for track day drivers and performance car enthusiasts, as industry sources describe.
Nitto Tires vs Toyo Tires: How Do They Compare?
Because Toyo owns Nitto, the two brands share engineering and manufacturing but serve different buyers.
Toyo markets a broad range of everyday, commercial, and performance tires with a traditional approach.
Nitto focuses specifically on enthusiasts, sponsoring events like Formula Drift and King of the Hammers.
For a truck or performance driver who values community and lifestyle branding alongside solid engineering, Nitto is the pick of the two.
Are Nitto Tires Any Good?
Nitto tires are widely regarded as a strong tier two brand that delivers near premium quality at a step below the top names in price.
The Ridge Grappler in particular earns consistent praise for striking a balance between off road grip and on road comfort that few rivals match.
Performance tires like the NT05 are popular on track days and autocross events for their grip at a lower price than European rivals.
Warranties vary by model, with tires like the Terra Grappler G2 carrying up to 65,000 miles of treadwear coverage.
For truck owners, off road enthusiasts, and performance car drivers who want serious engineering without a premium brand price, Nitto is an easy recommendation.
For more on related brands, see Where Are Falken Tires Made and Where Are Goodyear Tires Made.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nitto Tires
Who owns Nitto tires?
Nitto is owned by Toyo Tire Corporation of Japan. Toyo acquired Nitto through a partnership beginning in 1979 and formalized its North American arm in 1999.
Are Nitto tires made in the USA?
Yes, many Nitto tires are made in the United States at the company’s plant in White, Georgia. Others are built at Toyo facilities in Japan and elsewhere.
Are Nitto and Toyo the same company?
Nitto is a subsidiary of Toyo Tire Corporation, so they share the same parent company and manufacturing network. They are separate brands serving different market segments.
What is Nitto best known for?
Nitto is best known for the Ridge Grappler hybrid all terrain tire and its performance lines like the NT05. The brand has a strong following among truck, off road, and performance car enthusiasts.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.