Magazine for the professional tire industry
Issue link: https://mtd.epubxp.com/i/148910
Tire sizes range of ftments and there isn't much afermarket business yet. I have a hunch, though, that these sizes are progressing from sizes you should know about, to sizes you should consider bringing into your inventory. 235/55R20 — Initially an optional ftment on the 2009 Nissan Murano (a vehicle that also launched 235/65R18 to the tire world in 2004), this size has grown OE footing as an option on the current Nissan Pathfnder, Cadillac SRX and Infniti JX. If the SRX platform trickles down to new GMC and Chevy models, it is likely this size will trickle down with them. Also, as the OEMs continue to use the big wheel/narrow tire philosophy on crossovers, this size could be ripe for future models from other auto manufacturers as well. 235/50R19 — Tis size made its debut as the base tire on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class. Soon afer it was used on the 2011 Toyota Sienna wearing the SE trim. Both ftments are still active currently so they are near the beginning of the frst replacement cycle. Tough there aren't as many of these vehicles on the road, when compared to the Sienna trims with 18-inch wheels, these could still be important sales from a revenue and customer service standpoint. Apart from being a big ticket, Toyota Sienna owners aren't as used to waiting for special order parts as Mercedes owners. Lastly, there are many minivans and crossovers that use the 225/65R17 and 235/55R18 tire sizes. It is quite possible that a 19-inch rim option will soon become available on these vehicles, too, which is why you should have your eyes on it. 235/40R19 — Aston Martin DB9s don't fnd their way into a lot of independent tire shops looking for two front tires, so 235/40R19 probably isn't on your radar. I would venture though that a lot of Ford Fusions and VW Beetles frequent independent tire shops and even a few Lexus GSs from time to time. Tis is why I bring up this last size. While the size isn't new to James Bond, it's new to the real world and in all-season H- and 50 V-rated options to boot. 235/40R19 is a legitimate Plus One size for 235/45R18, and given the number of vehicle models that now wear that size and the annual sales of those vehicles, I expect 235/40R19 to grow relatively quickly. You may not need to stock it quite yet, but you will soon. Taking the time to perform consistent checks of new vehicle ftments can pay of, especially when paired with new vehicle sales fgures; nothing is a more accessible and efective indicator of the future tires needed by your customers. While the sizes described here are not meant to be a comprehensive list of new size opportunities, they are the sizes I believe will have the most impact in the short term by adding to your product screen, or flling out your product screen. Tey are also sizes that can fy under the radar because of their initial specialized OE placement under more exotic brands. Lastly, these sizes are more focused on the passenger car and crossover vehicle segments as the main light truck sizes tend to be less unique across brand and models and change less frequently with model updates. Tat being said, if I were seting up a new process to review new sizes, I would start with reviewing the top 20 to 25 selling vehicles in the United States (which certainly includes light trucks). Tis allows you to stay on top of the new OE tires and sizes that will come with the biggest volume. While it's trickier to assess the product screen potential of a 235/45R18 based on a Suzuki Kizashi ftment, a light bulb should appear when that size winds up on a perennial best seller like a Honda Accord, or a number of popular vehicles in the same model year. Tat is hard information to come by if you rely on walk-in business for discovery. Even if you only set aside an hour or two every six months to review the top-selling vehicles and their associated OE tires, you'll start to get ahead of the market and soon be on the way to creating your own sizes to watch list. ■ Robert Abram has worked in the tire industry since 1992, most notably with Dealer Tire LLC and Yokohama Tire Corp. Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 19119 MTD August 2013