As e-commerce becomes more relevant and vehicle types change drastically, the younger generation may never go to the tyre shop.

Do you remember when you bought your first new tyres? Middle-aged people used to change their car tyres every four to six years. Do you think the younger generation who has never been to a shop will ever visit a dealer and change their car tyres? Probably never, but they have been able to acquire precise knowledge and enough experience to buy the best tyres. What innovations are there in the tyre trade? What will inspire the younger generation to be more aware and better informed?

If the airless tyres are widespread and cover a certain part of the market, do we need to go to the shop? We probably won’t! Or what will be the responsibility of the people when driverless autonomous cars become more popular? Let’s just think. We should keep in mind that many shops have at the same time a traditional car care service outside of tyres for main parts of internal combustion engine cars. The typical large car dealership generates 55 percent of its sales from tyres and related services and 44 percent from automotive services. We know that the market penetration of electric cars is increasing enormously, and essential systems for vehicles with internal combustion engines are missing. Do you think electric vehicles with no fuel system, complicated transmission or exhaust system pose no challenge for dealers and suppliers?

The way tyre retailers do business is changing dramatically; showroom design and product presentation cannot compensate for the overwhelming influence of e-commerce.

OEM sourcing never makes the manufacturer the market leader. Retail, consumer, and commercial sales account for nearly 80 percent of the global market. In this sense, as essential suppliers, manufacturers have always pushed dealers to favour points of sale that strengthen customer loyalty. The lighting of the product and, the showroom, the colours of the decoration allow customising the customer’s look. Showroom smell is also important, which is why some dealers prefer to keep a limited number of tyres in the showroom. Well-ventilated showrooms lead to better sales practices.

Customer trust begins with impressions from the parking lot even before entering the store. Clear and clean windows are always an advantage when the customer starts walking through the store. Worker and employee uniforms as image-bearers keep them customer-oriented. Customers always judge the seriousness and strengthen their loyalty.

These tips for tyre dealers are applied in whole or in part in different ways. However, as technology advances, expectations change dramatically. Today, with a simple touch on a tablet or smartphone screen, a basic operation of a dealer or wholesaler is done in seconds via e-commerce software.

Tyre retailers need to combine and enrich their current business with the latest software tools for inventory organisation, store management and e-commerce tools running on mobile devices.

If you look at all sectors and not just the trade, some customers see e-commerce as a contactless shopping option rather cautiously. However, every day it becomes standard in many ways. It’s trendy and admirable because everyone discusses or talks about what they bought online and how it was suitable, cheaper or quick with happy results. Online shopping is not always successful, and there are always dissatisfied customers. Yes, e-commerce is tough but popular and promoted on all social media platforms.

The incremental growth rate of e-commerce will remain the fastest-growing sales channel; it is already called the ‘online to offline platform – O2O – as new online marketing. Nearly one billion shoppers used e-commerce platforms to find and buy the best in 2020. In the industry, 55 percent of buyers research product lines online before purchasing, and around 15 percent of them are already shopping online today. To the extent that online sales channels can schedule appointments at the fitting station, the rate of online sales will increase. This is also the reason why people no longer have to go to a shop to buy tyres.

Online and custom e-commerce programmes are now integrated and include cloud-based web applications running on mobile phones, tablets, PCs, laptops and smartphones through various interface modules used at points of sale, order management, inventory, accounting and marketing and in particular, the e-commerce needs of retailers and wholesalers of all sizes.

Mobile phones are mainly used for online shopping, with a total share of 73 percent. When open, 56 percent of shoppers are happy to visit a store to check quality and shop on the mobile app for the best price and options via ‘Check price and availability.

Current e-commerce techniques are rapidly being restructured by combining physical and digital experiences online.

Retailers should be prepared for possible and repeated store closures. Customer preferences are direct online platforms that offer physical environments and integrate physical and digital experiences through a new generation of digital channels.

The latest trend is ‘live streaming selling’, which is already popular and being adopted by well-known retail giants. Current online retail programmes allow online shoppers to see a visual preview of exactly how the tyres will look on their vehicle with a simple click. Live streaming takes the guesswork from customers who don’t have face-to-face interaction with the product. This is solved with a real person showing you the tyres and answering your questions in real-time. Personal and unique interactions with consumers via social channels are also proliferating.

‘Live streaming selling’ is presently the latest point before augmented reality is streaming on retail shops. These two latest trends explain why the younger generation does not have to go to dealer retail shops to buy a new set of tyres. 

The coming energy crisis and war-related economic sanctions, together with the e-commerce appetite of major tyre brands, bring new days of disaster for tyre retailers.

Dealers around the world are usually second or third generation and have seen many disaster days in the past. Sales volumes have yet to fully recover to the pre-Covid level; on the other hand, soaring energy and fuel prices and unstoppable inflation rates are leading to new economic uncertainties, less travel and lower demand.

Due to the invasion of Ukraine, a further decline in demand is expected. The inevitable impact of economic costs will further slowdown economies. Sanctions on transactions and logistics will bring uncertainty. Toughest days are coming in world trade. Therefore, European production and small retailer activities will be very vulnerable.

Major tyre manufacturers have launched online retail programmes to sell passenger tyres directly to consumers. The programme is explained in response to changing consumer behaviour and the ongoing transition to e-commerce. They say the programme is bringing in additional customers for dealers rather than bypassing them. Under this programme, tyres are provided by the manufacturer while dealers remain as e-commerce partners and are paid for tyre fitting labour. The other big brand’s “Rolling Programs” covers sales and assembly at the address is built in.

Given that the new economic difficulties are weighing on everyone, we understand that the tyre retailing will always be in a good mood, except for the dealers.

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Maxxis has unveiled the next iteration of its MaxxTerra rubber compound, engineered to substantially enhance both durability and traction for mountain bike tyres. The updated formulation maintains the low rolling resistance that characterises the brand’s performance range, addressing rider demands for extended tyre life without compromising capability on difficult trails.

Following extensive laboratory development and testing, Maxxis engineers achieved measurable improvements over the original compound. The new version exhibits a minimum 30 percent increase in tread wear resistance and a 15 percent gain in grip, all while preserving rolling efficiency. This advancement translates to prolonged riding sessions and reduced frequency of tyre changes for end users.

The enhanced compound will be progressively integrated across the entire trail tyre lineup, with the initial phase currently available. Consumers can distinguish the updated product through packaging marked with a ‘New MaxxTerra’ graphic, while the tyre’s sidewall badge now simply displays ‘MaxxTerra’, replacing the previous ‘3C MaxxTerra’ designation.

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The Goodyear Blimp is set to reclaim the New York City skyline during the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. On 4th July, the iconic aircraft will provide millions of Americans with a unique aerial perspective of Sail 4th 250, a premier maritime event that boasts the largest assembly of tall ships globally. The aerial broadcast is scheduled to commence at 7 AM Eastern Standard Time on NBC’s TODAY Show.

Wingfoot One, a seasoned veteran of the skies with a long history of appearing at significant national events, will be soaring over the metropolis. In a notable operational shift, the blimp will establish its ground presence in Brooklyn for the first time in half a century, marking a historic return not just to the city’s airspace but also to its soil. This strategic move is designed to capture the best possible views of the activities in New York Harbor.

This appearance marks the blimp’s fourth participation in an Operation Sail event, having previously been a staple at the inaugural 1964 celebration, the Bicentennial in 1976 and the Statue of Liberty’s centennial in 1986. Its return for America’s 250th anniversary serves as a natural role for the aerial ambassador of Goodyear, a company that has been rooted in the United States for over 125 years and remains the nation’s sole major tyre manufacturer.

Julianne Roberts, Senior Director, Marketing, said, "For more than half the history of the United States, Goodyear science has contributed not only to the success of the American automotive industry by producing tyres worth bragging about but also to the protection of the country through military service, including blimps that helped ensure the safety of the Navy.”

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MICHELIN Connected Fleet has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant directly within its MyConnectedFleet web platform, designed to enhance operational efficiency for fleet managers. The new tool delivers immediate, data-driven responses to user queries, significantly reducing the time traditionally spent on manual research and data compilation. By integrating seamlessly into the existing portal, the assistant provides a streamlined approach to managing complex fleet information.

The AI system transforms raw fleet usage data into actionable insights, enabling managers to make quicker, more informed decisions. It supports a wide range of practical requests, from generating reports on driver fuel efficiency and identifying trucks requiring tyre maintenance to checking vehicle availability and calculating monthly fuel costs. The assistant is built as a closed, secure system to ensure the confidentiality of all fleet data, addressing key concerns about information security.

Functioning as a comprehensive partner for managers of heavy goods vehicles, passenger transport and light commercial vehicles, the tool offers real-time analysis of fuel consumption, driver behaviour and journey metrics. It provides immediate answers for both simple safety and cost-related questions and more complex analytical tasks, presenting findings in text or visual formats. Future updates to the solution will be guided by direct customer feedback, ensuring its continuous evolution.

The MICHELIN AI Assistant is currently available to customers across 10 countries, including United Kingdom, United States and several European nations. It leverages over a century of mobility expertise and three decades of data science experience, responding to the belief of most fleet managers that AI will transform their sector. The assistant can also be paired with other technologies, such as onboard cameras and tyre inspection systems, to form a cohesive, practical solution for modern fleet operations.

Sophie Foucque, CEO, MICHELIN Connected Fleet, Europe, Africa and Australia, said, “The AI Assistant is the natural evolution of our DNA, which is built around supporting our customers. Co-developed with some of our largest customers, it offers a more intuitive way to interact with vehicle usage data while removing the need to generate multiple reports. Augmented fleet managers can therefore focus fully on the performance of their operations.”

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Continental Tires Americas has introduced Sensor Ready commercial tyres, designed to streamline digital monitoring for fleets of all sizes. Leveraging over a decade of expertise and more than 121,000 connected wheel positions in the Americas, the company continues expanding its data-driven portfolio. The initial rollout features the Conti Coach HA3 product line, underscoring the manufacturer's commitment to digital-first solutions.

A defining characteristic is the integration of a dedicated sensor pocket directly into the tyre during curing, eliminating aftermarket gluing that previously took up to 14 minutes per installation. The pocket securely holds Continental's proprietary sensor, a key ContiConnect ecosystem component that transmits critical metrics like pressure, temperature and mileage. A clear Sensor Ready logo on the sidewall provides immediate visual confirmation of compatibility for fleets, dealers and retreaders.

The new system significantly reduces installation time and labour requirements at maintenance facilities and retread shops while ensuring consistent, reliable sensor placement. Fleets can choose tyres with sensors pre-installed from the factory or opt for quick, tool-free installation later. The Sensor Ready logo facilitates swift decision-making across the tyre's lifecycle, and the integrated pocket remains intact during retreading, allowing efficient sensor reinstallation without compromising casing performance.

Digital monitoring delivers measurable business impact, including reduced fuel consumption, extended tyre life and fewer roadside incidents. For smaller operations, Continental offers ContiConnect Lite, a mobile application providing a plug-and-play monitoring solution. This advancement reinforces Continental's vision of a connected, intelligent tyre ecosystem that enhances safety, sustainability and cost management.

Renato Sarzano, Head of Truck Tires Americas, Continental, said, “Digital tyre monitoring is becoming essential for improving fleet safety, efficiency and sustainability. With Sensor Ready tyres, we are offering one of the most advanced and user-friendly solutions on the market – reducing installation time, improving reliability and making it easier than ever for fleets to adopt connected tyre technologies.”

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