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Tires and Rims - US - December 2011

Tires and Rims - US - December 2011

In this report, Mintel explores the tires and rims market in the U.S., and provides insight into the external and internal factors that influence tires and rims purchase, and trends within the tires and rims market. Mintel will also provide insight into what these various factors mean for future sales, marketing and advertisements, and industry innovations.

Specific questions that are answered in this report include, but are not limited to, the following:...

£2,534.48

In this report, Mintel explores the tires and rims market in the U.S., and provides insight into the external and internal factors that influence tires and rims purchase, and trends within the tires and rims market. Mintel will also provide insight into what these various factors mean for future sales, marketing and advertisements, and industry innovations.

Specific questions that are answered in this report include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Overall trends in sales of tires, by type of tire and retail channel
  • How the hybrid and EV market may affect tire sales
  • How the Inspire Insight Perfecting the Details relates to the tire market
  • Opportunities and insights in the tire market
  • How does the region consumers live in effect their purchase habits
  • Which method of tire maintenance reminder consumers would prefer
  • Which race and ethnic groups prefer which brands and why
  • How the increase in the average age of vehicles has affected tire sales
  • How different rim retailers should target different markets
  • What are the most common reasons for buying new tires

Scope and Themes


What you need to know


Definition


Data sources


Sales data

Consumer survey data

Advertising creative

Abbreviations and terms


Abbreviations

Terms

Executive Summary


The market


Independent tire dealers are the retail leader

Automotive dealerships are spending more on tire marketing

Passenger tire sales increased 7.7% in 2011

Figure 1: U.S. sales of passenger tires, by retail channel, 2006-16

Figure 2: Fan chart forecast of total retail sales of passenger tires in the U.S. and Canada, at current prices, 2006-16

Market factors


Fewer miles driven as compared to last year

Figure 3: Miles traveled in the U.S. by month, 2009-11

Older vehicles on the road increases the likelihood of tire replacement

Figure 4: Median age of automobiles and trucks in operation in the U.S., 1995-2010

Five companies control 85% of all U.S. tire sales

Figure 5: Manufacturer share of retail sales of replacement tires, including passenger tires, light truck tires, truck tires, farm tires, and off-the-road (OTR) tires, in the U.S. and Canada, 2010

The consumer


Figure 6: Tire, rim, and tire/rim packages purchased in the past 24 months, December 2011

Nearly seven in 10 tire buyers purchase tires due to wear

Figure 7: Reasons for last tire purchase, December 2011

Most patronized tire retailers vary by region

Figure 8: Location for tire purchase, by region, December 2011

What we think


Insights and Opportunities


Target consumers by providing tire-check reminders through social networking and phone applications


Tires for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids


Inspire Insights


Trend: Perfecting the Details


Trend: Greenfluencers


Market Size and Forecast


Key points


Passenger tire sales increase 7.7% in 2011


Figure 9: Total retail sales of passenger tires in the U.S. and Canada, at current prices, 2006-16

Figure 10: Total retail sales of passenger tires in the U.S. and Canada, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2006-16

Fan chart forecast


Figure 11: Fan chart forecast of total retail sales of passenger tires in the U.S. and Canada, at current prices, 2006-16

Market Drivers


Key points


Fewer miles driven


Figure 12: Consumer vehicle miles traveled, all U.S. roads and streets, 1991-2011

Figure 13: Monthly miles traveled in the U.S., 2009-11

Figure 14: U.S. gasoline national average price per gallon, 2004-11

Age of the car parc


Figure 15: Median age of automobiles and trucks in operation in the U.S., 1993-2010

Figure 16: Average mileage driven by years of car ownership, and annual miles driven, 2011

Growth of electric and hybrid vehicles


Figure 17: Total U.S. sales and forecast of hybrid vehicles, 2006-14

Figure 18: Projected U.S. supply of electric vehicles, by make, 2011-15

Rims affected by the economy and consumer confidence


Figure 19: University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index, 2007-11

Figure 20: Employment status, population aged 16+, 2000-11

Segment Performance


Key points


High-performance tires becoming standard, driving growth


Passenger tire volume down 1.4% in 2011


Light truck tire volume has turned the corner and is increasing


Shipments of tires by type


Figure 21: Total shipments of replacement tires for passenger vehicles and light trucks in the U.S. and Canada, 2006-11

Retail Channels


Key points


Independent tire dealers are the retail leader


Figure 22: U.S. sales of passenger tires, by retail channel, 2006-16

Figure 23: Indexed growth of U.S. sales of passenger tires, by retail channel, 2006-16

Figure 24: U.S. share of sales of passenger tires, by retail channel, 2006-16

Independent tire dealers leverage auto service to supplement revenue

TBC Corporation is the largest independent tire dealer

Discount Tire is the second-largest independent dealer

Mass merchandisers


Mass merchandisers are in distant second to independent dealers

Sears offering private brands, trails Walmart

Warehouse clubs


Warehouse clubs increase number of stores by nearly 10% in 2005-09

Tire company stores


Sales pick up in 2010 and 2011

Firestone Complete Auto Care

Goodyear Gemini Automotive Care

Auto dealerships


U.S. auto dealers saw decline in 2011, change on the horizon

Miscellaneous outlets


Overview

Pep Boys

Figure 25: Pep Boys store count, 2007-10

Figure 26: Pep Boys revenue split, August 2011

Online buying


Leading Companies


Key points


Five companies control 85% of all U.S. tire sales

Figure 27: Value sales of replacement tires, including passenger tires, light truck tires, truck tires, farm tires, and off-the-road (OTR) tires, in the U.S. and Canada, 2009 and 2010

Figure 28: Unit sales of replacement passenger and truck tires, by manufacturer brand, 2010

Goodyear and Michelin dominate HP/UHP sales


Figure 29: Market Share of HP/UHP tires, by manufacturer, 2010 *

Bridgestone Americas


Bridgestone sales are up 15% since 2009 but below industry average

Bridgestone renews sports sponsorship agreements

Company facts

Figure 30: Bridgestone Firestone annual sales in the U.S. and Canada for passenger tires, light truck tires, truck tires, farm tires, and OTR tires, at current prices, 2006-10

Goodyear


Goodyear sales increased in 2010

Goodyear Fuel Max Tires still an innovation leader

Company facts

Figure 31: Goodyear annual sales in the U.S. and Canada for passenger tires, light truck tires, truck tires, farm tires, and OTR tires, at current prices, 2006-10

Michelin North America Inc.


Michelin is the third-largest tire brand in the U.S.

Company facts

Figure 32: Michelin annual sales in the U.S. and Canada for passenger tires, light truck tires, truck tires, farm tires, and OTR tires, at current prices, 2006-10

Cooper Standard


Cooper Standard sales largest of five biggest brands

Company facts

Figure 33: Cooper annual sales in the U.S. and Canada for passenger tires, light truck tires, truck tires, farm tires, and OTR tires, at current prices, 2006-10

Continental Tire North America Inc.


Continental is the fifth-largest tire company in the U.S.

Company facts

Figure 34: Continental annual sales in the U.S. and Canada for passenger tires, light truck tires, truck tires, farm tires, and OTR tires, at current prices, 2006-10

Innovations and Innovators


Key points


Goodyear Air Maintenance Technology


Bridgestone airless tires


Marketing Strategies


Key points


Marketing through sporting events common among tire manufacturers


Bridgestone


Online initiatives

Figure 35: Bridgestone Facebook page, December 2011

Figure 36: Bridgestone Twitter page, December 2011

Print advertising

Figure 37: Bridgestone safe roads print ad, September 2010

TV advertising

Figure 38: Bridgestone and beaver saving man TV ad, March 2011

Goodyear


Phone applications

Figure 39: Goodyear Highway Helper phone application, December 2011

Online initiatives

Figure 40: Goodyear Blimp Facebook page, December 2011

Figure 41: Goodyear Blimp Twitter page, December 2011

Print advertising

Figure 42: Goodyear Large Truck Tire print ad, August 2010

TV advertising


Goodyear mixes fantasy and reality, showing it will transport your cargo safely

Figure 43: Goodyear tires are built for stunt drivers and bought by you TV ad, August 2011

Michelin


Phone applications

Figure 44: Michelin European traffic phone application screen, December 2011

Online initiatives

Figure 45: Michelin Facebook page, December 2011

Figure 46: Michelin Twitter page, December 2011

Print advertising

Figure 47: Michelin rims left untouched print ad, April 2010

TV advertising


Michelin Man shows how to save money by having a tire use less energy

Figure 48: Michelin Green X tires with Michelin Man TV ad, August 2011

Michelin Man saves father and son on their wet roads journey home

Figure 49: Michelin dad and son homeward bound TV ad, December 2011

Tire and Rim Purchases


Key points


Nearly five in 10 respondents report having purchased new tires in the past 24 months


Figure 50: Tires, rims or tire/rim packages purchased new or used in the past 24 months, December 2011

Used tires more popular with younger demographic


Figure 51: Tire/rim packages purchased new or used in the past 24 months, by age, December 2011

Income tracks with tire and rim purchase


Figure 52: Tires, rims and tire/rim packages purchased new or used in the past 24 months, by household income, December 2011

Self-employed consumers more likely to buy new tires


Figure 53: Tires, rims and tire/rim packages purchased new or used in the past 24 months, by employment, December 2011

Optimism about the economy a big driver in new tire and rim purchases


Figure 54: Tires, rims and tire/rim packages purchased new or used in the past 24 months, by optimism about the economy, December 2011

Reasons for Buying Tires


Key points


Younger respondents most likely to change their tires based on a recommendation


Figure 55: Reasons for last tire purchase, by age, December 2011

Households with kids more likely to buy tires out of necessity


Figure 56: Reasons for last tire purchase, by presence of children in the household, December 2011

Retail Sources of Tires


Key points


Tire stores are top retail choice in a split market


Figure 57: Source of last set of tires, December 2011

Young consumers most likely to use local maintenance shop for tires


Figure 58: Source of last set of tires, by age, December 2011

Higher-income households most likely to buy from car dealerships and branded tire outlets


Figure 59: Source of last set of tires, by household income, December 2011

Most patronized tire retailers vary by region


Figure 60: Source of last set of tires, by region, December 2011

Reason for purchase influences store selection


Figure 61: Source of last set of tires, by reasons for last tire purchase, December 2011

Amount Spent on New Tires


Key points


Men and women have similar spending habits on new tires


Figure 62: Amount spent on new tires in the past 24 months, by gender, December 2011

Younger respondents spending less on new tires


Figure 63: Amount spent on tires in the past 24 months, by age, December 2011

Household income correlates with spend on new tires


Figure 64: Amount spent on tires in the past 24 months, by household income, December 2011

Those living in the Northeast and Midwest spend more on tires


Figure 65: Amount spent on tires in the past 24 months, by region, December 2011

Type of Tires Purchased


Key points


Type of tires purchased varies with gender


Figure 66: Type of tires purchased, by gender, April 2010–June 2011

Younger consumers buy greater number and range of products


Figure 67: Type of tires purchased, by age, April 2010–June 2011

Income drives purchasing, shapes choices


Figure 68: Type of tires purchased, by household income, April 2010–June 2011

Region greatly influences tire choices


Figure 69: Type of tires purchased, by region, April 2010–June 2011

Brand of Tires Purchased


Key points


Goodyear the top choice among one third of those aged 18-34 and 55-64


Figure 70: Brand of tires purchased, by age, April 2010–June 2011

Michelin leads among affluent households earning $150K+


Figure 71: Brand of tires purchased, by household income, April 2010–June 2011

Region influences Goodyear and Michelin


Figure 72: Brand of tires purchased, by region, April 2010–June 2011

Reasons for Buying Rims


Key points


Respondents most likely to purchase rims to improve the look of their vehicles


Figure 73: Reasons for last rim purchase, by gender, December 2011

Younger respondents most likely to purchase rims to improve the look of their cars


Figure 74: Reasons for last rim purchase, by age, December 2011

Retailers used for Rim Purchase


Key point


Specialty and branded tire stores the top two locations for rim purchases


Figure 75: Source of last set of rims purchased December 2011

Amount Spent on Rims


Key point


Respondents are most likely to spend between $101-249


Figure 76: Amount spent on rims in the past 24 months, December 2011

Tire/Rim Packages


Retailer used for tire/rim package


Key point


Overview


Figure 77: Preferred location for tire and rim purchase, December 2011

Spend on tire/rim packages


Key point


Majority of consumers spend $101-749 on tire/rim packages


Figure 78: Amount spent on tire/rim packages in the past 24 months, December 2011

Preferred Reminders for Tire Maintenance


Key points


More than half of respondents prefer sticker reminder for tire maintenance


Figure 79: Preferred reminders for tire maintenance, December 2011

Age has little effect on sticker reminders but shapes response of text reminders


Figure 80: Preferred reminders for tire maintenance, by age, December 2011

Income drives preferred reminder


Figure 81: Preferred reminders for tire maintenance, by household income, December 2011

Impact of Race/Hispanic Origin


Key points


Hispanics and respondents from other races more likely to purchase rims


Figure 82: Tires, rims, or tire/rim packages purchased in the past 24 months, by race/Hispanic origin, December 2011

Reasons for buying tires


Black respondents more likely than others to wait for a puncture before replacement


Figure 83: Reasons for last tire purchase, by race/Hispanic origin, December 2011

Source of tires


White respondents most likely to purchase from a specialty store


Figure 84: Source of last set of tires, by race/Hispanic origin, December 2011

Spend on tires


Figure 85: Amount spent on tires in the past 24 months, by race/Hispanic origin, December 2011

Type of tires purchased


Black respondents purchasing regular passenger car and specialty tires


Figure 86: Type of tires purchased by race/Hispanic origin, April 2010–June 2011

Brand of tires purchased


Goodyear most popular with black respondents regardless of income


Figure 87: Brand of tires purchased, by race and household income, April 2010–June 2011

Figure 88: Brand of tires purchased, by Hispanic origin and household income, April 2010–June 2011

Reason for buying rims


Black respondents less likely to buy tires while getting other maintenance


Figure 89: Reasons for your last rim purchase, by race/Hispanic origin, December 2011

Source of rims


White respondents most likely to buy tires at tire specialty stores


Figure 90: Source of last set of rims, by race/Hispanic origin, December 2011

Preferred reminders to check, change, and rotate tires


More than 56% of all races prefer sticker reminder for tire maintenance


Figure 91: Preferred reminders for tire maintenance, by race/Hispanic origin, December 2011

Appendix: Trade Associations


  • ABC, Inc.
  • Alliance Of Automobile Manufacturers, Inc.
  • American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
  • Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG)
  • Automotive Trade Association Executives (ATAE)
  • BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc
  • BMW of North America, LLC
  • Bridgestone/Firestone Retail & Commercial Operations LLC
  • Chrysler LLC
  • Connected Vehicle Trade Association (CVA)
  • Continental AG
  • Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation
  • Discount Tire Co
  • Facebook, Inc.
  • Ford Motor Company (USA)
  • Foursquare
  • General Motors Corporation
  • Jaguar Cars North America
  • Jiffy Lube International
  • Major League Baseball
  • Mazda North American Operations
  • Meineke
  • Mercedes-Benz USA
  • Michelin North America Inc.
  • Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
  • National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)
  • National Basketball Association
  • National Football League Inc.
  • National Independent Automobile Dealership Association (NIADA)
  • Nissan North America, Inc.
  • Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
  • Professional Golfers Association
  • Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA)
  • SAM's Club
  • Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)
  • Sumitomo Corporation
  • TBC Corporation
  • The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
  • The Pep Boys - Manny, Moe & Jack
  • Toyota Motor Corporation USA
  • Twitter, Inc.
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • U.S. Bureau of the Census
  • U.S. Department of Transportation
  • University of Michigan, The
  • US Department of Commerce
  • Volkswagen of America, Inc.
  • Walmart Stores (USA)
  • YouTube, Inc.
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