ATD Becomes Exclusive U.S. Samson Tire Supplier
Guizhou Tyre expands its multi-year partnership with American Tire Distributors, while advancing a planned tire plant in Morocco.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Auto Parts
American Tire Distributors will serve as the exclusive supplier of Samson passenger and light truck tires throughout the United States under an expanded multi-year partnership with Guizhou Tyre Co. Ltd. The collaboration combines ATD's distribution infrastructure and customer relationships with Guizhou Tyre's manufacturing capabilities.
Why it matters
The arrangement deepens an existing relationship between a Chinese tire manufacturer and a major U.S. distributor, giving ATD sole U.S. distribution rights for Samson passenger and light truck tires. It also reflects Guizhou Tyre's ongoing expansion of manufacturing capacity outside China.
Guizhou Tyre's planned Morocco plant is designed for annual production of 12 million passenger and light truck tires. The source does not specify sales volumes or financial terms for the expanded ATD partnership.
The players
American Tire Distributors (ATD)
One of the largest tire distributors in the United States, ATD now serves as exclusive U.S. supplier of Samson passenger and light truck tires.
Guizhou Tyre Co. Ltd.
A Chinese tire manufacturer founded in 1958 that operates in the U.S. as Guizhou Tire North America and is expanding production into Morocco.
The details
ATD will distribute Samson passenger and light truck tires exclusively across the United States, while Guizhou Tyre, founded in 1958 and doing business in the U.S. as Guizhou Tire North America, continues advancing a new intelligent tire manufacturing plant in Morocco. Guizhou Tyre is the first and only Chinese tiremaker certified by the World Economic Forum's Global Lighthouse Network and holds an EcoVadis Silver sustainability rating.
Timeline
Nov. 6, 2026: ATD and Guizhou Tyre announce the expanded Samson PLT distribution partnership.
End of 2027: Production at the planned Morocco plant is set to begin.
Roadmap
Guizhou Tyre's recognition as the first and only Chinese tiremaker in the World Economic Forum's Global Lighthouse Network places its manufacturing strategy within a documented push toward advanced, data-driven production. Its Morocco plant and expanded U.S. distribution through ATD extend that footprint across multiple markets.
U.S. buyers seeking Samson passenger and light truck tires will find them through ATD's distribution network as the exclusive channel. The partnership is aimed at connecting that distribution reach with Guizhou Tyre's manufacturing output.
The takeaway
The expanded ATD and Guizhou Tyre partnership signals how manufacturers and distributors are tying together production and sales across borders, so buyers of Samson tires in the U.S. should expect supply to flow through ATD. Watching the Morocco plant's 2027 startup will show whether the capacity plans take shape as projected.
What happens next
Production at Guizhou Tyre's Morocco plant is scheduled to begin by the end of 2027.
Further reading
For more on tire makers and parts suppliers, browse the Auto Parts section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Modern Tire Dealer.
