there seems to be a lot of tyres cracking , especially in the tread depths lately reported. i have read a little regarding the chemicals used during the manufacture process which contributes a lot to this problem. the E.U clamped down on the use of certain polluting chemicals during manufacture. i am wondering if these laws were applied to the japanese tyre producers , toyo etc. if they were produced abroad they may still have the good old way of making a lasting tyre ... without cracks appearing after a few years only ..