It’s hard to imagine anyone on the planet that hasn’t been directly or indirectly affected by the Corona virus pandemic, and when it comes to industries, the automotive sector has been hit worse than most others, with the clear exception of course being the sectors related to travel and tourism. The fact is that people drive less than normally, for several reasons: many jobs have been cut, reducing commuter traffic; those that still work do it primarily from home or with less days at the office per week than before; and those long drives to visit distant relatives or go on family holidays in other countries have been reduced to a fraction of what they used to be, when they’ve been at all possible. Global automobile sales dropped around 15 % year-on-year in 2020, which is doubtless a result of the pandemic, and OE tyre sales dropped even more than that, a result of due diligence by the car manufacturers. The replacement tyre sales volume dropped also, but not as much as one could have expected – a partial explanation for this is very likely the reduced number of new cars sold, resulting in more tyres needing replacement.

But there’s nothing like a good crisis to spawn innovation. Online sales and delivery services have flourished like never before, and courier companies are busier than ever. As shops have been closed due to lockdowns or just avoided due to the risk of infections in the public space, shopping has moved online to an incredible extent. This means a lot more goods being moved around by a lot more delivery vehicles, which then consume more tyres. At the same time, those that still have their jobs haven’t been able to spend their salaries on annual holidays abroad, so their spending has shifted towards buying more consumer goods at home instead. So, it’s not just that shopping has moved from the physical stores to online shops, it’s also that the total shopping volume has increased. Luckily, most tyre retailers have caught on, and have improved their web shop portals to cater to the increased demand and take measures to stand out from the competition, such as faster delivery times, larger selection of products, and combined services.

Digital shopping

Keeping clients interested using digital means has become more important than ever, as people now tend to buy tyres online and go to have them fitted after the purchase, instead of the traditional way of going to the shop first and buying what the seller there recommends. That has made it extremely important to make the purchase as easy and smooth as possible for the consumers and communicate all benefits to potential clients in a clear and appetising way.

Where many tyre retailers have been locked in a mindset that a website should be set up to persuade potential clients to visit the physical shop and rely on sales being made by the staff there, now they have to make the sale in the web shop first, which requires a much better consumer experience when browsing the web shop than before. One notable method that many have adopted is what’s called “live selling,” where the customers access a video call with a salesperson, who won’t be able to see the caller, but will be able to offer guidance and advice, and hopefully close the sale. This method has proven exceptionally good for products that the customers in general don’t possess very deep knowledge of, and that definitely includes tyres. The old and very reliable rule of thumb for tyre retailers was that 6 out of 10 tyre customers would always say “I just want the same tyres fitted again,” not because they had experienced heavenly experiences riding on those tyres, but simply to avoid the risk of having fitted something that turned out to perform worse. “Good enough” is a strong force supporting habits. “Live selling” (as opposed to what, you may ask, but remember the term has been coined when physical shops have been closed down) offers retailers the chance to go for the traditional replacement sale or actively try to influence the purchasing decision by offering alternatives that might be more profitable for the seller. It’s always important to remember that even though the customer makes the purchase decision, it’s the seller that decides which options to make available as the base of the decision.

Being connected to the customers, the seller is also able to offer related services or products that on average increases the revenue per client, so there’s no doubt the strategy is sound. And there’s no reason for retailers to stop using this channel when we hopefully can go back to being able to visit the physical shops in person again, as it will be a way to catch clients that would have otherwise not visited the shop.

Apart from this, it has been a fruitful strategy for many to cater more to courier fleets and transportation companies with more tailored services and cost benefits. On-road assistance services have increased, and not just for courier vans and cargo trucks, but also for agricultural equipment such as tractors (although that would be more aptly called off-road assistance). At least, the gist of it all is that the overall trend in tyre business has been to move business closer to the customers, when customers haven’t been able to shop as they used to – and there are clear indications that the strategy has been successful.

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Dunlop Motorcycle Europe is celebrating a successful conclusion to the 2026 Campeonato de España de Superbike (ESBK) campaign, with five of its equipped riders securing titles at the Sunday finale at Circuito de Jerez Ángel Nieto. The brand claimed five of the series' eight championships, four of them in open-tyre competition classes, after a tightly contested season spanning Spain and Portugal.

The ESBK's open-tyre rules in several classes give Dunlop a direct benchmark against competing manufacturers. The company backed riders throughout the year in Superbike, Supersport, Supersport 300, Superstock 600, Superstock 1000 and Pre-Talent. Four of those classes allow any tyre brand, while Dunlop is the sole supplier for Supersport 300 and Pre-Talent.

The Superbike, Superstock 600 and Pre-Talent crowns all remained undecided going into Jerez. Honda Laglisse's Javier Palomera clinched Superbike ahead of Dunlop-backed Ivo Lopes of BMW Easyrace Team, runner-up in the open-tyre class; the same squad also took Superstock 1000 through Mauro González. José Luis Armario won the last Superstock 600 race of the year, and in Supersport, Team Speed Racing's Marcos Ludeña placed second with Team Honda Laglisse's Yeray Ruiz third, giving Dunlop two of three open-tyre podium slots. In the Dunlop-only classes, Marc Vich took Supersport 300 and the Kawasaki Ninja Spirit Trophy, while Marcos Vinagre won Pre-Talent at Jerez, leading an all-Dunlop podium alongside Javier Vigueras and Jose Luis Cagigas.

Dunlop's ESBK programme uses its KR racing slick line, covering both development and catalogue specifications, with wet tyres also available. Data from real race weekends helps the brand validate new products before they reach other championships and track-day use. Dunlop's racing footprint also takes in the Campionato Italiano Velocità, which produced six more Dunlop champions in 2026, and the FIM Endurance World Championship, where a fresh multi-year deal makes Dunlop the sole supplier to the Superstock and Production Trophy classes.

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, said, “It's great to see Dunlop-equipped riders achieve such strong results in the 2026 ESBK season, with championship titles secured across multiple categories and two all-Dunlop podiums in Supersport 300 and Pre-Talent. We're incredibly proud of what our riders and teams have achieved this season and of the role Dunlop has played in their success. These results are a testament to their dedication and hard work throughout the year. Congratulations to all the newly crowned champions.”

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Tegeta Green Planet, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), organised an information and practical campaign titled ‘Don’t Throw It Away, Hand It In’ in Poti. Held on 29 October at a Tegeta Motors branch, the initiative sought to strengthen environmental responsibility and promote proper management of specific waste streams.

The campaign targeted local residents, vehicle owners, drivers and private sector representatives, encouraging their active involvement in waste management. Attendees learned about the environmental impact of automotive waste and correct disposal methods. A dedicated collection point at the branch allowed residents to hand in end-of-life tyres, used batteries and waste oils, offering a practical way to contribute to environmental protection through everyday actions.

A significant focus was placed on raising awareness about the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, including the role of EPR organisations, collection and subsequent management of specific waste streams and importers’ legally established obligations. Symbolic gifts encouraged participation. Tegeta Green Planet and UNDP continue to implement regional environmental campaigns and educational initiatives aimed at raising public awareness, fostering responsible waste management and promoting circular economy principles.

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Bridgestone’s Potenza Sport EVO has earned two independent test accolades, strengthening the tyre maker’s standing in the ultra-high-performance segment. The double success spans a victory in What Car?’s summer tyre test and a Recommended award from evo.

In What Car?’s evaluation of 11 summer tyres, the Potenza Sport EVO ranked first. Fitted to a Volvo XC60, it drew praise for predictable handling and secure performance in wet and dry conditions, along with communicative steering suited to a premium performance tyre.

The What Car? results also underscored tyre choice’s safety implications. In wet braking, the Bridgestone stopped 7.3 metres shorter than the Goodride competitor. The publication concluded that the Potenza Sport EVO justified its higher price, highlighting the value of investing in quality tyres.

The evo test delivered further recognition. The Potenza Sport EVO finished second overall but secured the Recommended award and was arguably the standout performer across individual disciplines, taking five first-place finishes. It earned top subjective ratings for polished, effortless behaviour, excelled in wet grip, traction and stability and set the fastest handling-course time, becoming the only tyre to break 51 seconds.

Drew Chapman, Consumer Sales Director, Bridgestone UK, said, "To achieve such outstanding results in two highly respected independent tyre tests is a fantastic endorsement of the Potenza Sport EVO and the engineering that has gone into its development. Winning the What Car? test against 10 other competitors, while also securing evo's Recommended Award and five individual test victories, demonstrates the tyre's exceptional breadth of capability. These results reflect exactly what we set out to achieve with the Potenza Sport EVO; delivering outstanding performance, control and confidence in a wide range of driving conditions. It's hugely rewarding to see that recognised by independent experts."

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Citira, a Sweden-based company specialising in circular tyre management, has expanded its UK commercial service network by acquiring G & S Tyres Ltd, a move that also brings a modern retreading facility in the London metropolitan area into the group. The deal advances Citira's push towards a national UK footprint, building on its recent purchase of Redpath Tyres in Scotland and its entry into UK market earlier this year via Tyrefix Group.

G&S's local knowledge, solid reputation and retreading strengths align closely with Citira's circular tyre management model, which covers retreading, rim refurbishment and fleet logistics and is already well established across the Nordics and Poland. The East London site is strategically positioned and employs around 45 people.

A two-generation family firm with more than four decades of service to UK customers, G&S will keep trading under its own name with its existing team. Gary, James and Billy Short will stay involved in the business and take shareholdings in the Citira Group.

Oliver Johnson, Head of UK at Citira, said, “G&S Tyres has earned a strong reputation across the UK through its reliability, service quality and close relationships with the fleets and customers it supports. That reputation provides an excellent foundation for the next stage of growth. Following our acquisition of Redpath Tyres in Scotland, G&S is a further step in our ambition to build a national commercial tyre service network with the best people and businesses in the UK.”

Gary Short, speaking on behalf of the Short family, said, “We are very happy to join a group whose ambitions for the UK align so well with our own. Citira is a great home for G&S and gives us the right platform to support the next generation, spearheaded by James and Billy, as they continue to grow and improve the business.”

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