Drivers should take care of their winter tires early. A survey conducted by the trade magazine "kfz-betrieb" among the major tire manufacturers on the German market has shown that almost all companies are expecting stable or slightly declining sales figures and that wholesalers and retailers have also stocked up well on winter tires. Nevertheless, there could still be supply problems for some products and dimensions.
This is all the more true if the German government tightens the legal winter tire requirement this autumn. According to Peter Hülzer, Chairman of the German Tyre Trade and Vulcanization Trade Association (BRV), the Federal Ministry of Transport is working on an amendment to the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO), which will require a higher minimum tread depth on winter roads than the 1.6 millimetres that currently apply. Hülzer expects that the minimum tread depth will only be raised to three millimeters and not four, as the ADAC, for example, is demanding. But even so, many drivers are likely to suddenly realize that they need new tires, further exacerbating the situation on the winter tyre market.
Virtually all tire manufacturers told "kfz-betrieb" that they had delivered significantly more winter tires to dealers than in the previous year. However, none of them were able to fulfill all orders. Rare sizes (such as tires for heavy SUVs or vans, but also for the Smart) or products that have won comparative tests are therefore likely to be in short supply again this year. However, this does not mean that customers need to fear that they will not be able to get winter tires at all. The tire specialists in the automotive trade are always happy to advise drivers on tire alternatives for their cars.
You can read the full survey in issue 37 of the trade journal "kfz-betrieb", which will be published on 16.09.2011. You can order a free sample copy from: pressestelle@vogel.de.
"kfz-betrieb" is the most widely read trade magazine in the automotive industry and has been informing the automotive trade and service sector for 100 years. "kfz-betrieb" is the official organ of the German Motor Trade (ZDK), the professional lobby for around 38,000 car dealerships and workshops. Daily news from the entire automotive industry is available at www.kfz-betrieb.de and in the daily newsletter. The parent company Vogel Business Media is one of the leading German providers of specialist information with around 100 trade journals and 60 websites as well as numerous international activities. Its headquarters are in Würzburg. The company celebrates its 120th anniversary in 2011.
