LATEST WHEEL AND TIRE TRENDS
Advanced processes in manufacturing and the influences of online sales on using brand new materials have caused the wheel and tire industries to remain ever changing. In the wheel industry, there are concave designs, translucent colorations, flow forming, and carbon fiber. Tire taxes, which threatened a significant interruption, seems to be overstated. Yet offline retailers are now appreciating the undeniable effects of online tire sales.
Trends in Tires
It is common knowledge that low-priced tier-three and tier-four tires from China are carried into the United States. This has prompted new fees on such imported tires to level the playing field for the domestic suppliers of tires. There may be new taxes on imported tires, but this has not done anything significant at all because the cost of the raw materials keep dropping. There is a very small change in price over the past two years.
It is difficult for many tire importers and tire makers to stop selling Chinese made light truck and passenger tires in the United States. Whether they like it or not, Chinese tires have become an essential part of the local tire market. There is a high demand for low-cost tires. Unfortunately, only Chinese tire manufacturers meet that important demand. Online tire sales are revolutionizing the local tire industry. The offline tire stores are just kept in business by people who cannot fix cars or install tires on their own.
Top tire manufacturers—Michelin, Bridgestone, and Goodyear—have introduced program packages that allow their consumers to purchase tires from the manufacturers and just have the local tire dealer install them. The local dealer does not earn money from the customer—only credit from the tire manufacturer. Because of this, independent businesses are suffering.
A new development is now emerging. It allows consumers to not bother with bringing their tires to the local tire installer. All they need to do is acquire mobile mounting and balancing, so that they can have their tires installed whenever, wherever they want.
Trends in Wheels
According to Exsell Marketing’s Wayne Williams, there is stability in core wheel markets. This is because automobile makers have not changed their offsets and bolt patterns in the sport-compact, truck, SUV, or luxury markets the manufacturer of wheels can focus on production, material, and design processes.
Carbon fiber is a new material choice for wheel production. It is costlier yet lighter than the traditional materials. Carbon fiber soaks up impacts and bumps during off-road racing.
Then, there is flow-forming wheel technology, which reduces raw material input. By improving the grain alignment in the base metal, the technology results in better metallurgical properties. The resulting wheel is stronger and lighter, bridging the gap between forged and cast wheel technology.
Car owners are now investing in better, high quality tires because they want something that is long-term for their vehicles. Large wheels are making a comeback as well. These wheels have deeper lips and are wider than the usual wheels on the market.
There are also colored wheels that make vehicles striking and unique. These wheels are powder coated. They also have a brushed appearance through their colors. Brightly colored wheels allow vehicle owners to customize their chosen rides.
These are only a few of the latest trends in the wheel and tire industries. They depend on what the vehicle owners want and need. Perhaps you need a change in your wheels and tires already. If so, it is high time to go with the flow.