About Zeetex
ZAFCO was founded in Dubai in 1993 as a tyre import and export business and grew into one of the region's largest tyre traders, supplying dozens of countries from its base in the UAE. In 2011 ZAFCO acquired the global rights to the Zeetex brand, and in 2016 it relaunched the line with a new 'value for money' range, using simple naming such as eco for economy tyres and max for performance models. Zeetex tyres are not made in the UAE; they are produced under contract at partner factories in Asia to ZAFCO's specifications, and the country of manufacture is printed on each sidewall. The brand is heavily marketed in the Gulf, Africa and parts of Europe and Japan.
Strengths
- Very low prices, often AED 100–200 less per tyre than mid-range brands
- Excellent availability across the UAE because the brand owner is based in Dubai
- Wide range covering small cars, SUVs, pickups and vans
- Fresh DOT dates are common due to fast local stock turnover
Weaknesses
- Wet braking distances are noticeably longer than mid-range tyres
- Shorter tread life, typically 25,000–40,000 km on sedans
- Rubber hardens and grip drops more quickly in UAE heat
- Not suitable for high-powered or heavy performance cars driven hard
Zeetex ranges and prices
| Model | Type | Rims | Price per tyre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zeetex ZT6000 eco | Economy touring | 13–17 inch | AED 150 – AED 300 |
| Zeetex HP5000 max | High performance | 16–20 inch | AED 230 – AED 480 |
| Zeetex SU5000 max | SUV high performance | 17–22 inch | AED 300 – AED 550 |
| Zeetex SU6001 eco | SUV economy touring | 15–18 inch | AED 220 – AED 420 |
| Zeetex HT1000 | SUV / pickup highway terrain | 15–20 inch | AED 280 – AED 500 |
| Zeetex CT6001 eco | Van / light commercial | 14–16 inch (C-rated) | AED 220 – AED 380 |
Cars it suits
- Nissan Sunny
- Toyota Yaris
- Hyundai Accent
- Kia Pegas
- Mitsubishi Attrage
- Toyota Corolla
- Toyota Hiace
- Nissan Urvan
Our ratings out of 10
- Wet grip
- 4
- Dry grip
- 6
- Comfort
- 6
- Quietness
- 6
- Tread life
- 5
- Heat resistance
- 5
Performance
On dry UAE roads at normal speeds, Zeetex tyres feel acceptable: the ZT6000 eco is quiet and soft on city streets, and the HP5000 max gives reasonable steering for its price. The weakness is wet grip. In winter rain or on a wet basement ramp, braking distances are clearly longer than a Falken, Firestone or Hankook, and the tyre reaches its limit earlier in emergency manoeuvres. The SU5000 max and SU6001 eco are road tyres for SUVs, and the HT1000 suits pickups and SUVs on tarmac and graded tracks. None of them is designed for serious dune driving at low pressure.
Durability and tread life
Most Zeetex passenger tyres last 25,000–40,000 km on a UAE sedan, and SUV models usually 35,000–45,000 km. Heat ageing is the bigger issue: after about 3 years, especially on cars parked outdoors, the rubber stiffens, ride quality worsens and grip drops even when tread is still above the legal 1.6 mm. Plan to replace Zeetex tyres at around 4 years from the DOT date rather than stretching to 5, and inspect sidewalls for cracks every few months.
Zeetex in UAE conditions
Because ZAFCO is based in Dubai, Zeetex is stocked by many tyre shops across the UAE and in most sizes, so same-day supply is normal. It is a reasonable choice for a second car, a vehicle you plan to sell within a year or two, a fleet van, or a short-term budget fix after a puncture. For a family car driven daily on the E11 or E311, or for any heavy SUV, spending AED 60–150 more per tyre on a mid-range brand such as Falken, Firestone or Hankook usually returns better wet braking and more kilometres. Always match all four tyres or at least both tyres on the same axle.
