Tire fitting appointments could revolutionise leasing industry - Michelin

ERJ staff report (BC)

Stoke-on-Trent, UK – Company car drivers should book appointments for tire replacements in advance to avoid unnecessary waiting times and guarantee availability, according to Michelin.

Michelin’s UK head of fleet, Dave Crinson, believes there needs to be a wholesale shift in the way drivers view tire appointments because of the sheer number of tires now available.

In the last ten years, says Michelin, the number of car and van tire sizes and ranges it offers has doubled from 400 to 800. The company has an additional 275 lines of cold weather tires available.

Crinson says the UK fleet industry can learn lessons from Europe where company car drivers are used to booking tire appointments in advance as a matter of course.

He said: “It’s unrealistic to think that every tire dealer will have every single tire line in stock at all times. For fleets there are consequences in terms of the fulfilment of tire policies. Unless drivers give advance warning, they jeopardise their chances of getting their first-choice tire.

“Of course there will be times when drivers need emergency assistance if a tire is damaged or punctured, but for general replacements people should plan ahead and book appointments.”

Michelin says the most popular tire for fleet and retail customers currently is the 205/55 R 16. In that tire size alone Michelin has ten derivatives including Energy Saver+, Pilot Sport 3, Primacy 3, run-flats, as well as others specific to vehicle manufacturers such as Audi and Mercedes.

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News release