mmm.. but they're chosen to fulfill the requirements of the car (be it mpg, comfort or ride/handling). The Prius ones are chosen for mpg and in some ways, cost too. They don't last very long.
Hi Ken, Is it normal for JDM cars to be shipped with summer tires only? Does much of the driving population have to deal with snow during the winter?
Hi Patrick, Yes, we usually receive summer tires on sedans and all-season tires on SUVs. I think a half of Japanese people are replacing them with snow tires during the winter. I, myself, am driving with summer tires all year around in Yokohama city. Ken@Japan
Basically, it is individual's responsibility to wear snow tires, but there are some regulations of "snow tires only" by the road administrators in the heavy snow area in Japan. Ken@Japan
UPDATE!! Danny: You haven't posted my Toyo Proxes A20s for the Prius V w/ ATP!! I just saw a Prius IV (no solar roof) with the Ecopias. Nice looking tires!
I've added it Winebuff (OR) - Prius IV Solar - Yokohama Avid S33 alfon (OR) - Prius III Nav - Yokohama Avid S33 Musigny (OR) - Prius III Nav - Yokohama Avid S33 NoMoShocks (WA) - Prius IV Solar - Yokohama Avid S33 REDWIND88 (WA) - Prius IV Solar - Yokohama Avid S33 a priori (IL) - Prius V ATP - Toyo Proxes A20 DaveinOlyWa (WA) - Prius IV Solar - Yokohama Avid S33D