Essential EV Knowledge

What Does the BMW * Marking on a Tire Mean?

The BMW * (star) marking on a tire indicates that the tire has BMW Group approval in accordance with the manufacturer's Original Equipment specifications. Giti's GitiSynergy H3 in 245/40 R20 99Y XL carries the * marking for its OE fitment on the all-electric BMW iX1 and BMW iX2.

A BMW star-marked tire is not simply a tire of the correct physical size.

The marking identifies a tire approved against BMW Group's requirements for an OE application.

This distinction is important because vehicle manufacturers can establish detailed performance targets for a tire program, covering multiple characteristics rather than selecting a tire solely according to dimensions.

What Giti tire is BMW * approved?

For the all-electric BMW iX1 and BMW iX2, Giti developed:

The GitiSynergy H3 was specifically engineered for this BMW program, with requirements covering very low rolling resistance while maintaining handling performance. The tire also features reduced noise, extended wear life and an aerodynamic sidewall design.

How was the Giti BMW tire developed?

The GitiSynergy H3 was designed and engineered at Giti Tire's European Research & Development Centre in Hannover, Germany.

Testing was conducted at Giti's MIRA facility in the United Kingdom as well as locations in Germany and Spain. The program used AdvanZtech, Giti's globally integrated R&D system.

The development process followed these stages:

Why does this matter when buying replacement tires?

The BMW * marking allows a driver to identify a tire that has been approved according to BMW Group's OE specifications.

However, tire selection should still be based on the exact vehicle configuration and manufacturer's recommendations. The correct tire size, load index, speed rating and applicable OE specification should always be verified before purchase.

Giti's broader EV OE experience

The BMW program builds on Giti's growing electric-vehicle OE experience.

The GitiSynergy H2 is OE on the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, Giti's first European EV OE project. The ID. Buzz subsequently undertook an extensive multi-country world tour on GitiSynergy H2 OE tires, providing a high-profile real-world application of the tire.

Giti's EV OE portfolio also includes collaborations with BYD, including the GitiControl P10 on electric vehicle applications such as the BYD Sealion 7.

Key Takeaway

A BMW * marking identifies a tire approved according to BMW Group's OE specifications. GitiSynergy H3 245/40 R20 99Y XL carries this marking for the all-electric BMW iX1 and BMW iX2, demonstrating Giti's capability to develop vehicle-specific EV tires against global automaker requirements.