Talk about the surge in sales of all-season tires

Since the winter of 2022, the sales of all-season tires have shown a terrible "momentum". The warm winter in Europe in 2022 has reduced the sales of winter tires. At the same time, the sales of all-season tires have shown a significant increase. Since then, the sales of all-season tires have been on an upward trend.

Faced with the hot sales of all-season tires, many people think that it is because after the consumption downgrade, car owners want a set of tires to cope with the changes of the four seasons, which not only saves the trouble of changing tires in autumn, but also is a more cost-effective choice.

But in fact, the hot sales of all-season tires are not that simple. Recently, Robert Nasca, product training manager of Hankook Tire USA, discussed the factors driving the growth of the all-weather tire market.

01 All-season tires with sales taking off
Although the promotion of all-season tires can be traced back to 2008, its market acceptance has only increased significantly in the past three years. This change can be attributed to the industry's shift in the positioning of all-season tires.

Previously, the tire industry had long positioned all-season tires as a year-round solution. However, in marketing, some markets define it as a three-season tire, which confuses many consumers about the use of all-season tires, and also buries the unique advantages of all-season tires.

All-season tires are versatile and convenient, so they are an ideal travel solution in many areas with distinct four seasons but little snowfall in winter. These tires not only provide excellent winter driving performance, but also provide reliable traction and grip in dry and wet conditions in the other three seasons.

In addition, in recent years, weather changes have just shown the unique advantages of all-season tires. Reduced snowfall and improved snow removal infrastructure in many areas have further promoted the sales of all-season tires.

According to data from the American Tire Manufacturers Association, the sales of all-weather tires have shown a significant upward trend. Consumers have affirmed the excellent performance of all-season tires throughout the year, so the demand for all-season tires has accelerated in North America.

The unique advantages of all-season tires have a "three C" feature: confidence, convenience and cost savings. Especially in some areas with unpredictable weather, all-season tires can provide consumers with confidence in safe driving. All-season tires also aim to eliminate the hassle of changing tires in many areas, saving consumers time and money. With consumption downgraded, these cost savings are the biggest concern for many people.

These three factors are the key part of the significant acceleration of all-season tire market demand in recent years. But it is worth noting that in areas where the outdoor temperature is usually below 45 degrees Fahrenheit in winter, snow tires still perform better.

02 All-season tire flagship product, Weatherflex
In this interview, Hankook Tire's trainer showed that it is strengthening its investment in all-season tires. In Hankook Tire's all-season tire product matrix, Weatherflex is Hankook Tire's pinnacle, and the time period has been as long as 17 years.

The launch of Weatherflex demonstrates Hankook Tire's continued commitment to all-season tire performance optimization products, which originated from Hankook Tire's Optimo series products and fully utilized the cutting-edge technology accumulated by Kinergy series all-season tires.

Hankook Tire's research and development of all-season tires follows driving needs. After perceiving the needs of car owners pursuing tire versatility and flexibility, Weatherflex tires came into being.

The three-peak snowflake certification, asymmetric pattern design and advanced compound materials guarantee its excellent driving experience, while the 70,000-mile warranty is the special service launched by Hankook Tire for Weatherflex tires.

Since its launch, Weatherflex tire sales have grown rapidly. Overall forecasts show that the US market will grow by 5% to 7% by 2032. In addition, all-season tires are becoming more and more popular in the European market. This tire even accounts for 19% of Hankook's European tire sales.

03 Channel services help all-season tire sales reach new heights
In order to further promote all-season tire sales, Hankook Tire has carried out training services in its channel network for many years. In fact, the difference between all-season tires and winter tires is not only that their pattern design provides strong grip, but also that the compound materials applied to all-season tires are designed to maintain flexibility and maneuverability in colder atmospheric temperatures.

Dealers can help distinguish these sometimes subtle nuances and guide customers to choose the tire that best suits their driving habits and environment. At the same time, Hankook Tire often communicates with dealers and recommends that they take the time to understand the driver's personal driving needs. The road conditions that customers drive on and how often they use their tires will influence their choice of tires.