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.
Apollo Tyres Expands Ultra-High Performance Tyre Range In India With Aspire 5
- By TT News
- June 26, 2025
Apollo Tyres, one of the leading tyre makers in the country, has expanded its product portfolio with the introduction of the made-in-India for India and the world Apollo Aspire 5 ultra-high performance (UHP) tyre.
Available in 17-inch and above rim size with W/Y speed rating, the company looks to tap into the demand for Uthe HP tyre range, especially in the luxury car segment. The company shared that the UHP tyre has been designed with Dynamic Contour Technology for superior physical and acoustic comfort, and Tri-Flex Compound for high-speed grip and stability.
The electric vehicle-ready Apollo Aspire 5 tyre range has undergone extensively testing across Europe, India, Japan and Korea, and has been tailored to meet the demanding needs from Indian road conditions. Furthermore, the Apollo Aspire 5 will also be introduced in global markets such as Europe and Asia.
Rajesh Dahiya, Vice-President, Commercial (India, SAARC and Southeast Asia), Apollo Tyres, said, “Performance today goes beyond speed; premium car buyers now demand a quieter, more refined driving experience, especially with the rise of electric crossover and luxury SUVs. At Apollo Tyres, we have been preparing for this shift with cutting-edge R&D, global benchmarking and technologies tailored for evolving mobility. Aspire 5 is a testament of our commitment to lead this new era of performance.”
The tyre maker stated that the new range of products have been co-developed with leading OEMs, deep industry insight with real-world consumer feedback.
The Apollo Aspire 5 tyre range offers better control, superior ride comfort and impressively low noise levels. The tyre will be produced at the company’s state-of-the-art plant in Andhra Pradesh.
USTMA Brings Industry Leaders to Capitol Hill to Push for U.S. Manufacturing & Road Safety Policies
- By TT News
- June 25, 2025
The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) is convening its annual Tire Manufacturing Ambassadors programme this week, sending industry professionals to Capitol Hill to press lawmakers on policies supporting domestic manufacturing, road safety and sector innovation.
The two-day event, running from 24–25 June, brings together representatives from USTMA’s 11 member companies — including engineers, business managers and marketers — to meet with members of Congress and their staff. The discussions are expected to focus on key legislative priorities such as expanding tyre retreading in the U.S., advancing consumer safety initiatives, and passing a congressional resolution in support of National Tire Safety Week.
“The U.S. tyre manufacturing industry is a vibrant engine of innovation, enabling safe and sustainable mobility for consumers and businesses. Our industry is a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, supporting more than 800,000 jobs and keeping up with evolving consumer expectations on reliability, safety and environmental impact,” said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and CEO.
The ambassadors, who live in the same communities where the industry operates, are set to highlight how national legislation impacts local jobs and infrastructure. USTMA members operate 55 manufacturing facilities across 16 states and contribute to a $170.6 billion annual economic footprint, the association said.
The event follows a letter sent by USTMA to Congressional leaders in February outlining the sector’s legislative agenda. The group is advocating for increased investment in tyre innovation, transparency measures for consumers, and job creation through infrastructure and sustainability-focused policies.
“Our Ambassadors represent the manufacturing workers who power the industry every day, and we are honoured by their advocacy for the tyre manufacturing industry and the communities it supports,” Luke added.
The initiative reflects USTMA’s broader push to align policymakers with the industry’s goals of maintaining global competitiveness while securing long-term growth for U.S. manufacturing.
Nokian Tyres Named Among World’s Most Sustainable Companies by TIME Magazine
- By TT News
- June 25, 2025
Finnish tyre manufacturer Nokian Tyres has been recognised by TIME Magazine as one of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2025, ranking 98th on the prestigious global list of 500 companies demonstrating outstanding environmental and social responsibility.
The second edition of the rankings, compiled by TIME Magazine in collaboration with data firm Statista, evaluated companies based on verified sustainability commitments, including UN Global Compact membership and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative.
Assessment criteria also included performance ratings from respected organisations such as CDP and MSCI, alongside evaluations of sustainable business practices, transparency, and environmental and social stewardship.
Nokian Tyres has positioned itself as a sustainability pioneer within the tyre industry, driving sustainable development both within its operations and throughout its value chain. The company’s environmental leadership dates back three decades, with its Finnish factory becoming the world’s first tyre manufacturing facility to achieve environmental certification in 1995.
“We create tyres that are safe, innovative and sustainable. Nokian Tyres has been a pioneer in sustainability in the tyre industry for over three decades. As early as 1995, our factory in Finland was the first tyre factory in the world to gain an environmental certification. We are proud of our track record and want our sustainability actions to have a meaningful impact. The most recent example of this is our new factory in Romania, the first full-scale zero CO2 emission tyre factory in the world,” said Paolo Pompei, president and chief executive of Nokian Tyres.
The company’s latest sustainability milestone is its new Romanian manufacturing facility, which represents the world’s first full-scale zero CO2 emission tyre factory, demonstrating Nokian Tyres’ continued commitment to environmental innovation in industrial manufacturing.
Sinochem Breaks 500 Billion Yuan Brand Value Milestone, Ranks Seventh in China’s Most Valuable Brands
- By TT News
- June 25, 2025
Chinese state-owned enterprise Sinochem has achieved a significant milestone, with its brand value surpassing 500 billion yuan for the first time, according to rankings released at the 22nd World Brand Conference in Beijing.
The World Brand Lab announced that Sinochem ranked seventh on its annual “China’s 500 Most Valuable Brands” list for 2025, with the company’s brand value climbing from 475.906 billion yuan in 2024 to over 500 billion yuan this year.
This marks the 22nd consecutive year that the Sinochem brand has secured a position on the prestigious ranking. The company’s property development arm, Jinmao, also featured prominently, placing 170th with a brand value of 74.186 billion yuan.
The World Brand Lab’s methodology evaluates brand worth through three key metrics: financial performance, brand strength, and consumer behaviour analysis, employing a “present value of earnings method” for valuation. The ranking is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative assessments in Chinese brand research.
Sinochem’s consistent performance has been particularly notable since 2004 when it first entered the top ten of the annual list. Following the establishment of China National Chemical Corporation on 8 May 2021, the enhanced Sinochem brand has maintained its seventh position for four consecutive years, demonstrating sustained growth in brand value and international market recognition.
The company attributed its success to implementing comprehensive brand management strategies aligned with government directives on brand development. Sinochem stated that it will continue to leverage high-quality brand building and valuable brand assets to strengthen its core functions and competitiveness, supporting the company’s long-term development objectives.
The World Brand Conference, now in its 22nd year, serves as a key platform for evaluating China’s corporate brand landscape and tracking the evolution of the country’s most significant commercial entities.
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