However, the huge effort to support the automotive and tyre sectors could not prevent a dramatic 20% drop in demand for consumer tyres, which of course had an impact on retail. The repeated closures, coupled with the economic crisis and the closure of some factories due to mobility restrictions have had a major impact on the tyre industry in terms of sales and job losses.

The lockdown has changed shopping habits and the number of trips has declined in all countries. Driving less means fewer new tyres sold. This means that the industry's revenue growth is expected to stagnate over the period 2020-2022 as the pandemic effect continues to dampen the flow of motor vehicles lowering demand. In fact, weaker demand for tyres is expected to bankrupt some small tyre dealers, with small non-employer businesses being the most vulnerable.

Changes in the way tyres are distributed also affect the tyre dealer. Gas stations and auto repair shops are becoming less and less important in terms of sales. This trend is expected to continue. Differences in wholesale, price, service, warranty and performance are no longer essential keys to staying competitive.

During lockdowns, small businesses in particular found themselves in unpredictable circumstances and many had to close their doors. However, the pandemic has created more than just disruption and uncertainty. It sparked a new spirit of persistent creativity.

The pandemic effect has actually changed the way business is done. The market value of e-commerce will be four or five times that of any country in the coming years.

Some tyre retail authorities are confident that it will not be out of reach for the industry to return to 2019 levels in 2021. If possible, how will this be achieved, as habits and opportunities purchasing have changed dramatically. They assume that in 2021 it will only be a question of achieving a “return to normal.” In fact, defining “normal” is the hardest part, although 30% of Western tyre replacement markets are still covered by Southeast Asian tyre manufacturers.

The pandemic effect has actually changed the way business is done. First, consumers have chosen to shop online more than ever. The future of retail emphasises the digitalisation of the world. Cashless and digital payment is becoming consumer behaviour and increasingly relies on digital payment. We are seeing a recovery in the e-commerce sector.

We know that the number of “buy now, pay later” platforms has increased dramatically in some countries. Consumers can visit and compare online e-commerce stores in seconds. Marketing a product has never seen such great competition. The market value of e-commerce will be four or five times that of any country in the coming years.

E-commerce service solutions are gaining importance as online tyre sales offerings become available.

The five largest tyre manufacturers offer motorists online shopping experiences. Customers can buy the products and reserve the assembly through their selected local dealer. Customers can therefore buy tyres directly online, either on a computer or on a mobile phone. The online store provides the tyre options available as well as clear information needed in the selection process to guide consumers to the specific tyre that meets their needs.

At the same time, the fitting network is directly connected to the store via the online planner and allows the consumer to directly make an appointment for the fitting of tyres. Another benefit for consumers is that all tyre and installation costs are paid online and in advance so they can easily show up at the scheduled installation time. This may enrich the activity of some tyre dealers as a member of the e-commerce solution partner network.

Most customers, however, want the approval and perspective of a qualified tyre professional. There is a common belief that tyres are sold, not bought! This nuance focuses on our view that consumers ultimately want to consult with someone who knows how these tyres fit, how they react and most importantly their quality, before making the purchasing decision. Conversely, how will this aspect of customer habits affect the e-commerce tyre network?

On the other hand, it takes huge finished product SKUs and huge warehouses for e-commerce operations to handle thousands of orders every day. Therefore, we are usually talking about a high amount of logistics costs, which represent about 6 to 10 percent of total sales. E-commerce service solutions are gaining in importance as online tyre sales offerings become available.

2020 has been an interesting year for e-commerce in general. Large companies have improved their skills in this regard. Overall, more and more consumers are turning to online sellers, as many tyre manufacturers have seen. However, careful analysis of consumer transactions and changes in customer behaviour must also be done in the everyday environment, including other brands, and the huge data centre entrances must be analyzed very well. Rigorous processes and close cooperation are the best ways to ensure the integrity and quality of sensitive and valuable products.

Therefore, agility and adaptability will be of crucial importance in the global supply chain for mobility in the years to come. Remaining flexible is the effective response to this growing complexity by optimizing current operations while remaining sufficiently adaptable and scalable to meet future demand peaks. To do this, tyre manufacturers need to work closely with their logistics service provider to present and implement powerful new approaches to tyre logistics.

For small and medium-sized enterprises, the message of the past few months is clear: bold strategies are required to survive and thrive in the current economic downturn, and those strategies should include a robust e-commerce plan with a strong cross-component.

It is certain that “online sales” will become more popular in the years to come. Therefore, innovative e-commerce solutions will never stop. In any case, nothing is immune from fierce competition. Businesses of all sizes need smart recovery strategies. Those who are more diligent and see future opportunities are better prepared to survive.

So, it is certain that “Online Tyre Sales” will become more popular in the years to come. Whoever has a robust e-commerce plan is diligent and agile will win in the market. (TT)

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TyreSafe has entered a new partnership with Staffordshire Police, reinforcing a joint commitment to improve road safety and reduce fatalities and serious injuries across the county. The collaboration aims to highlight the critical role tyres play in protecting road users by encouraging simple, regular checks of pressure, tread depth and overall condition.

The value of this preventative approach was recently demonstrated during a multi-agency enforcement operation at the DVSA Vehicle Inspection Site in Doxey. Held on 25 August, Operation Doxey involved Staffordshire Police, West Mercia Police, DVSA, Datatag, the Forensic Collision Investigation Unit and TyreSafe. Inspectors directed 30 vehicles into the site, covering leisure vehicles, towing vehicles, light commercial vehicles and goods vehicles.

Seven tyre and wheel-related defects, mechanical risks and pressure discrepancies were identified. These included a tyre cut through to the cord, which received an immediate prohibition notice, a tyre running roughly 30 percent below recommended pressure, an overweight light commercial vehicle with a nail embedded in a tyre and all four tyres underinflated, a significant rear axle pressure imbalance, a missing wheel nut and an 11-year-old tyre. Leisure vehicle owners generally showed good tread awareness, though pressure maintenance remained an issue, while commercial vehicles presented several preventable defects.

Staffordshire has one of UK’s statistically safest road networks, yet serious collisions remain a concern, particularly on single carriageways. Rural bends, changing speed limits and limited visibility add risk, while motorcyclists and vulnerable road users are disproportionately affected. Common factors include failing to look properly, misjudging speed or path and driving too fast or carelessly. TyreSafe now works with over 260 organisations, and this partnership encourages Staffordshire motorists to make tyre checks routine.

Stuart Lovatt, Chairman, TyreSafe, said, “We are delighted to welcome Staffordshire Police as a TyreSafe partner. While Staffordshire has a strong road safety record, every serious collision has potentially devastating consequences for those involved, their families and their communities. The recent Operation Doxey enforcement activity demonstrates exactly why preventative vehicle maintenance matters. Across just 30 vehicles, inspectors identified a number of serious tyre and wheel defects, including a tyre cut to the cord, significantly incorrect tyre pressures, an embedded nail, a missing wheel nut and a tyre that was 11 years old.

“These findings are a powerful reminder that problems are not always obvious from behind the wheel. Simple checks before a journey can help identify issues before they become a danger on the road. Different roads present different challenges, particularly rural and single carriageway roads where the consequences of losing control or being unable to stop safely can be especially severe. Road safety requires a collective effort, and partnerships such as this are incredibly important. By combining the reach and expertise of Staffordshire Police with TyreSafe’s specialist knowledge and campaigns, we can help more road users understand the simple but crucial role their tyres play in keeping themselves and others safe.”

Police Sergeant Adam Van de Sande, Staffordshire Road Crime – Proactive & Harm Reduction Team, said, “Keeping people safe on Staffordshire’s roads requires everyone to play their part. We are committed to working with partners to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our road network. Operation Doxey demonstrated the value of partnership working, with officers, vehicle examiners and road safety specialists able to identify a range of defects and safety issues before those vehicles continued their journeys.

“Vehicle safety is an important part of that responsibility, and tyres are fundamental to a vehicle’s ability to stop, steer and maintain grip. We are pleased to be working with TyreSafe to raise awareness and encourage motorists to make regular tyre checks part of their routine vehicle maintenance. Our message to road users is simple: don’t wait for something to go wrong. Take a few minutes to check your vehicle and make sure it is ready for the road.”

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The AZuR Network has been honoured with the German Award for Sustainability Projects 2026 in the C2C/Recycling category for its ‘Retreading: Climate Protection on Wheels’ project. The recognition highlights the network's efforts to expand tyre retreading across Germany and Europe, thereby extending the useful life of tyres. Retreading works by reusing a suitable used tyre casing and applying a fresh tread, keeping a substantial share of the original tyre in circulation.

A life cycle assessment commissioned by AZuR and carried out by the Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT compared retreaded tyres with equivalent new ones. Under the conditions examined, producing a retreaded truck tyre generated roughly 135 kilogrammes less greenhouse gas emissions, a reduction exceeding 60 percent. The process also reuses considerable portions of the existing tyre casing, reinforcing its environmental advantages.

The jury underscored the project's scalability and its relevance to the industry. Official documentation further noted the political integration of the topic as a key strength, with the EU taxonomy confirmation in 2025 representing a tangible milestone. The award places AZuR among well-known companies and innovative projects, including a climate protection cooker initiative in Cameroon, a capsule-free coffee system and a mental health awareness campaign.

Knauf secured first place in the same category with its circular gypsum supply chain, while Schmitz Cargobull led the Mobility and Logistics Solutions category. Other first-place winners included DEKRA, Hansgrohe, Pfleiderer Germany and SBRS. Presented by DISQ with ntv and DUP UNTERNEHMER under Brigitte Zypries' patronage, the 2026 edition saw 433 nominations, with 46 organisations recognised across 19 categories on 17 September in Berlin.

Christina Guth, Network Coordinator, AZuR, said, “This award belongs to our entire network. Retreading only works when many stakeholders collaborate along the value chain – from certified end-of-life tyre recyclers, tyre manufacturers and retreaders to retailers and fleet operators, all the way to academia. The award highlights the potential of using high-quality tyres for longer and keeping their casings in circulation.”

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Birla Carbon will present its carbon black solutions at the Global Polymer Summit 2026, scheduled for 28–30 September at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville. The company will exhibit at Booth 417, targeting tyre and mechanical rubber goods (MRG) manufacturers seeking higher performance and reduced environmental impact.

The company’s portfolio spans tyre and MRG applications, addressing durability, strength, abrasion resistance and product life across tyres, belts, hoses, sealing systems and anti-vibration products. Birla Carbon will also feature Continua Sustainable Carbonaceous Material (SCM), a circular carbon range with consistent quality and global availability and Continua Sustainable Carbon Black (SCB), produced from recycled or bio-based feedstocks.

Supported by extensive manufacturing, technical expertise and customer-focused teams across the Americas, Birla Carbon provides reliable volumes, responsive service and tailored solutions. Attendees can meet company experts at Booth 417 to explore its product portfolio, technical capabilities and sustainable offerings.

John Davidson, President – Americas & EMEA, Birla Carbon, said, “The tyre and mechanical rubber goods industries are at an important phase, where performance, supply resilience and sustainability must advance together. The next phase of growth will depend on stronger collaboration across the value chain and the ability to translate innovation into scalable, commercially viable solutions. At Birla Carbon, we are combining our manufacturing network, portfolio strength, technical expertise and regional capabilities to help customers navigate this transition and build more resilient and sustainable businesses.”

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Michelin has unveiled the X Multi Energy D2 tyre, developed to address the specific challenges of regional haul operations. Fleets in this segment face demanding roads, frequent stop-and-start cycles and escalating fuel expenses that affect both performance and profitability. By blending durability, fuel savings and Michelin’s established performance standards, the new tyre aims to boost fleet productivity while reducing overall operating costs.

The tyre features a revised tread pattern and a new tread compound to better resist tread damage caused by high-torque vehicles and stop-and-go regional driving. It is constructed on Michelin’s Duracore casing, which integrates Infinicoil and Powercoil technologies and benefits from a reinforced bead design known as Duracoil Technology. This casing is engineered to last up to one million miles and support as many as four retreads.

In the effort to curb fuel expenses, the X Multi Energy D2 improves rolling resistance by 9 percent over its predecessor, the Michelin X Multi Energy D tyre, and by 18 percent compared with leading competitors. It also enhances late-life traction, offering 10 percent better wet handling and 16 percent better snow starting traction when worn, giving drivers and operations managers greater confidence on varying roads.

For original equipment manufacturers, the tyre meets Greenhouse Gas standards and supports applicable vehicle carbon-reduction requirements. Designed for regional applications where traction, durability and fuel efficiency matter, it is available in 295/75R22.5 LRG and 11R22.5 LRG and LRH sizes, replacing the X Multi Energy D tyre in those sizes.

Yahn Heurlin, VP of B2B Marketing, Michelin North America, Inc., said, “Michelin is driven by a deep commitment to understanding the needs and challenges customers face every day. This customer-first mindset inspires the development of purpose-built solutions designed to address real-world pain points and help fleets operate more efficiently.”

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