According to a new report released by Fact.MR, the winter tires market is as much influenced by technological innovation and consumer awareness, as it is by regulations mandating their use.

A combination of macroeconomic and industry-specific factors is influencing demand for winter tires. Government regulation mandating the use of winter tires is an important driver for the overall supply chain. During the period 2014-2018, favorable regulations mandating the use of winter tires have given a fillip to the overall market.

Countries with harsher winters, such as the US, UK, Canada, Germany, and Scandinavian countries have enacted laws to make winter tires mandatory under certain conditions. In Scandinavian countries, the regulations on winter tire use are stringer in the heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) segment. A significant spike in demand has been witnessed after regulations were introduced in these countries.

Penetration of Winter Tires Growing, According to Survey

Nearly 60% of respondents agreed to using winter tires in this report survey. However, there was still room for further penetration, as nearly 40% of respondents were yet to own a set. Perception about winter tires was generally ‘positive’, with a significant percentage of ‘non-owners’ agreeing to trying out these tires in the future.

North America is a lucrative market for winter tires, with harsh winters and government regulations augmenting penetration. To consolidate its position in the North American market, Nokian Tyres is investing US$ 360 million in Tennessee. The manufacturing plant is likely to have a capacity of 4 million. Another key factor driving the growth of the North American winter tires market is rising consumer awareness about the importance and benefits of winter tires.

16”-19” – The Shift Towards Larger Rim Sizes becoming Pervasive

The preference towards larger rim sizes is gaining ground. This trend is pervasive across all vehicle types – two wheelers, passenger cars, LCV, and HCV. Nearly 60 million 16”-19” passenger car winter tires were sold in 2017, which was the highest across all vehicle classes.

Winter tire manufacturers are not oblivious to the emerging opportunities in this fledgling landscape. In a bid to consolidate their market position, key market participants are focusing on launching advanced winter tires that offer optimal performance under rapid temperature changes.

Premium winter tire companies are making incremental improvements – both in terms of technical upgrades and addition of new sizes. For example, Nokian Tyres added new sizes to WR A4, its flagship winter tyre range for Central Europe. The company has made these premium winter tyres available in modern electric cars as well. Continental AG also launched its new range of Winter Contact TS 860 S tires. These premium tires are available in 18”-21” size range, and are targeted at highly motorized vehicles.

Asian winter tire manufacturers Hankook Tire and Yokohama Tire also have a significant penetration in this landscape, with cost being the key differentiator. Although this study revealed that end-users prefer premium winter tires owing to positive perception and reliability, Asian manufacturers are steadily gaining traction as the market makes a steady shift from niche to mainstream.

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Consumer awareness, regulations to affect growth in Winter Tires Market