I would disagree with the factory put the best plug in it there, any more than I would say they put the best available OEM tire on it. They use platinum plugs to extend the maint interval, and long wearing, sorry ass all season radials instead of a performance tire. I don't know if it is better, but in theory, a copper electrode would work better than platinum, and is way cheaper. I know the cheaper gets srt of canceled out by more frequent changes, but it seems to run better, which also does not mean a lot either, my 2 cents