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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Toyo Tire Corporation said Mitsubishi Corporation has ceased to be a major shareholder after tendering its entire holding through a treasury share buyback, ending its status as the company’s largest shareholder.

The change took effect on 10^th August , 2026, following Toyo Tire’s acquisition of its own shares through off-auction trading (ToSTNeT-3). Mitsubishi tendered all its shares, excluding less than one unit, as part of the transaction.

As a result, Mitsubishi is no longer classified as a major shareholder or associated company of Toyo Tire, the company said.

Before the transaction, Mitsubishi held 30,822,206 shares, equivalent to 20.07 percent of total voting rights, and ranked as the largest shareholder. Following the change, its holding has effectively been reduced to zero.

The move follows Toyo Tire’s earlier announcement on August 7, 2026 regarding the termination of its capital and business alliance with Mitsubishi, alongside plans to repurchase its own shares.

Toyo Tire said the change would have no impact on its consolidated financial results.

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Linglong Tire has become the first Chinese tyre manufacturer to join the Global Data Service Organization (GDSO) as a full member, marking a step in the industry’s efforts to standardise and exchange tyre-related data globally.

The company joins the non-profit body as its fourteenth member. GDSO was established in January 2022 by Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Michelin and Pirelli to facilitate the digital exchange of tyre data and develop common standards across the sector.

Moh Wahi, Head Of Truck And Bus Tyre Development at Linglong Europe, said: "By joining the GDSO as a Full Member and providing reliable data, we want to be the first Chinese tyre manufacturer to make a positive contribution to the further development of the tire industry and set new standards for the efficient processing of tire data in the digital age."

Riccardo Giovannotti, Secretary General of GDSO, said: "With Linglong Tire as a Full Member, GDSO is gaining one of the leading Chinese tire companies which is committed to digitalization and sustainability in the industry. Together, we will further make progress in developing standards for data processing and future-oriented solutions."

Shandong Linglong Tire Co., Ltd., founded in 1975, operates seven research and development centres globally and employs almost 20,000 people. The company runs nearly 200,000 sales outlets and exports products to 175 countries.

It supplies tyres to more than 200 production bases for over 60 automakers and has manufacturing facilities across China, Thailand and Serbia, with plans to expand further overseas.

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TyreSafe, UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, has joined forces with Sussex Police’s Road Safety Team to introduce a pioneering digital reference tool for frontline officers. The initiative equips police with immediate, device-accessible tyre safety data during roadside stops.

Developed as a local pilot, the application enables consistent vehicle examinations and improves driver communication regarding tyre dangers. It offers specific checklists for diverse vehicle categories, including motorcycles, cars, heavy goods vehicles, light commercial vans and towed trailers. The system further incorporates guidance on part-worn tyres, common queries and educational talking points.

Following its Sussex trial, the programme holds potential for nationwide adoption across UK police forces. This deployment underscores Sussex Police’s dedication to roadway innovation and reinforces the essential contribution of proper tyre maintenance to overall public safety.

Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said, “This partnership with Sussex Police is a landmark moment for tyre safety enforcement and education. By putting reliable, accessible tyre safety guidance directly into the hands of frontline officers, we can ensure safer vehicles on our roads and help prevent avoidable collisions and breakdowns. Sussex is leading the way, and we hope this model will soon be adopted nationally.”

Superintendent Jo Grantham, Head of Roads Policing, Sussex Police, said, “Our officers are committed to keeping road users safe, and having instant access to this tyre safety resource makes a real difference on the ground. It supports enforcement while also giving us the tools to educate drivers more effectively. We’re proud to be working with TyreSafe on this project and to be the first police force in the country to pilot it.”

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The UK Towing Safety Alliance (UKTSA) has published a comprehensive four-year analysis of incident data from National Highways’ Strategic Road Network, covering 2022 to 2025. The findings reveal a 23 percent rise in total towing-related incidents, driven primarily by a maintenance crisis affecting utility and commercial trailers. While traffic collisions involving towed vehicles decreased by 17 percent, mechanical breakdowns now constitute 77 percent of all towing-related incidents, highlighting vehicle and trailer condition as the sector's foremost challenge.

The data coincides with SMMT Motorparc 2025 figures showing Britain's vehicle fleet at its oldest recorded level, with average car age reaching 9.7 years. The summer harvest season has also arrived, bringing agricultural trailers back to roads after months of disuse. NFU Mutual research indicates collisions involving agricultural vehicles are 56 percent more likely between May and September, reinforcing the need for pre-journey roadworthiness checks.

Utility and agricultural trailers now account for nearly half of all towing-related callouts, surpassing 3,000 incidents in 2025. Regionally, the North West has overtaken the South East as the most incident-prone area, with trailer failures surging 60 percent since 2022, while the North East recorded a 55 percent increase. A growing divide exists between leisure and commercial towing sectors.

Leisure sector improvements, including fewer horsebox incidents and regional caravan reductions, suggest awareness campaigns are yielding positive results. However, utility trailer failures continue climbing, indicating maintenance standards across commercial and domestic sectors require greater attention. Regular servicing, correct loading and proper coupling remain essential to prevent avoidable incidents.

For working trailers, summer represents peak operational period, with agricultural and utility trailers seeing intensive use while rural roads become busier with tourists and cyclists. The Alliance emphasises that trailers stored for extended periods require thorough inspections before returning to service.

The UKTSA urges all towers to perform three essential checks covering tyres, load and connection before every journey. Tyres must be inspected for pressure, tread and deterioration; loads correctly distributed and couplings and electrical connections verified. The Alliance will place ‘The Working Trailer’ at the centre of safety campaigns, collaborating with industry partners to boost maintenance awareness and reduce preventable breakdowns across the Strategic Road Network.

A spokesperson for the UK Towing Safety Alliance said, “It’s encouraging to see fewer collisions involving towing vehicles, which suggests that drivers are becoming more aware of safe towing practices. However, that progress is being undermined by a growing number of preventable mechanical failures. The challenge is no longer simply about how people tow – it’s increasingly about what they’re towing and the condition it’s in. As both tow vehicles and trailers get older, regular maintenance has never been more important.”

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “Harvest season places extra demands on both vehicles and trailers, particularly those that may only be used for a few months each year. One of the most common issues we see is tyres that appear to have plenty of tread but have deteriorated through age, weathering or prolonged storage. Whether you’re towing a livestock trailer, plant trailer, horsebox or caravan, tyres should always be inspected for correct pressure, damage, cracking and signs of ageing before every journey. A few minutes spent carrying out these checks can prevent breakdowns and significantly improve safety for everyone using our roads.”

Sarah Smithurst MBE, COO, National Trailer & Towing Association (NTTA), said, “Across the NTTA network, we’re seeing a noticeable increase in enquiries from people looking to refurbish older trailers or source second-hand trailers, including imported models, as a more affordable alternative to buying new. While extending the life of a trailer is often entirely appropriate, it’s essential that owners understand that trailers are not maintenance-free. Many have been in service for years, sometimes decades, and components naturally deteriorate over time, even if the trailer has seen relatively little use. Every trailer should be thoroughly inspected before it returns to the road, with particular attention paid to tyres, brakes, bearings, couplings and lighting. Investing in regular servicing and maintenance is far less costly than experiencing a breakdown – or worse, being involved in an incident. The NTTA continues to help and advice new and old trailer users about safety and many are asking for help when towing, especially the reversing aspect of a trailer, now the B&E test was withdrawn. We are also seeing more trailers being repatriated from North America and Europe rather than purchasing new in the UK.”

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