Here's a history of the company behind CST motorcycle and scooter tyres:
Cheng Shin Tire — The Story Behind CST
Founding (1967) Cheng Shin Rubber Industry Co., Ltd. (正新橡膠工業股份有限公司) was established in
1967 in
Yuanlin City, Changhua County, Taiwan, by founder
Luo Jye. The company started as a modest producer of
bicycle tyres and gradually expanded its range over the following decades. According to the company's own financial filings, it was initially established with just 178 employees and NT$6,000,000 in capital, specialising in motorcycle and bicycle tyre production.
Early Growth & Partnerships (1969 onward) In December 1969, Cheng Shin was restructured as a company limited by shares and began a
technology and business collaboration with Japanese firm Kyowa Ltd. This partnership helped bolster the company's technical capabilities during its early expansion phase.
Becoming a Global Powerhouse Over subsequent decades, Cheng Shin grew into the
world's largest manufacturer of bicycle and motorcycle tyres. The company now employs more than
25,000 people and distributes its products in over
150 countries. Manufacturing facilities are spread across
Taiwan, China (including Xiamen and Kunshan), and Vietnam, all operating to stringent international quality standards.
The Maxxis & CST Brands Cheng Shin operates through two wholly owned subsidiary brands that are likely familiar to riders:
- Maxxis Tyres — perhaps the most widely recognised brand under the Cheng Shin umbrella, particularly strong in bicycle, ATV, and automotive markets.
- CST (Cheng Shin Tire) — positioned as the brand covering a broad portfolio including motorcycle, scooter, ATV, car, truck, agricultural, and lawn & garden tyres.
The CST brand name has been associated with the company since its early days, but the formal rebranding to "CST" as a distinct consumer-facing identity is noted as occurring
around 2015, when the company consolidated its branding strategy.
Scale & Market Position As of the mid-2010s, Cheng Shin reported worldwide revenues exceeding
$3.85 billion (2015 figures), making it the
16th largest tyre company in the world and Taiwan's largest tyre maker. The company is publicly traded and continues to invest heavily in R&D, racing programmes, and manufacturing technology.
Motorcycle & Scooter Tyre Range Under the CST brand, the motorcycle and scooter lineup spans several categories:
- Sport tyres — for street and sport riding
- Adventure tyres — for dual-sport and adventure touring
- Off-road tyres — for motocross and trail riding
- Racing tyres — for track and competition use
- Scooter tyres — for urban commuting and maxi-scooters
CST tyres are generally regarded as offering good value for money, sitting in the mid-range segment of the market. The company's racing involvement and decades of manufacturing experience give them credibility, though they compete against more premium European and Japanese brands in the motorcycle space.
