Do you need new winter tires this year?

Yannick Plante, vice-president of operations at PMCtire in Sherbrooke, explains to Radio-Canada that the situation is a little more problematic than in other years given the price increase due to the pandemic and the limited choice for winter tires. . He adds that the real shortage will be felt especially for certain high-end models, such as the Tesla Model Y.​

Some consumers will face a big dilemma because tires of a certain size will be out of stock.​

_The next page contains a radio interview about our company, PMCtire._​

ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/hiver-automobiliste-consommateur-route-pneus

Price increase and limited choice for winter tires​

Radio-Canada | November 12, 2021

The shortage of winter tires is felt on certain models. Consumers accustomed to buying low-end tires will also have to pay more this year.

The vice-president of operations at PMC Tire in Sherbrooke, Yannick Plante, explains that the situation is a little more problematic than in other years. The shortage of certain models will in particular limit the choice for the consumer, but it is above all the higher bill that will have an impact.

"I would tell you it's more a price increase than a lack of tyres. For most normal cars, we are able to find a tire for the customer. However, the choice is narrower. »

— A quote from Yannick Plante, Vice President of Operations at PMC Tire in Sherbrooke

He notes that the increase in the price of the container from China increases that of the low-end tire. The price gap between low-end and mid-range tires has thus narrowed.

Low-end and mid-range tires are about the same price. The mid-range tire comes out first and the low-end tire remains on the shelves. There is a $5 to $10 difference between the two tire lines. For $40, it's not worth depriving yourself of the quality of a mid-range, explains Mr. Plante.

This difference was in the past about $25-30 a tire.

The increase in the price of gasoline and transportation costs, the lack of labor and the slowdown caused by the pandemic are also factors responsible for this increase.

We had increases of 5% from each of the major manufacturers in July, August and October. It's starting to show up in the consumer's pockets, says Mr. Plante.

A shortage that mainly affects specialized products

The real shortage will be felt especially for certain high-end models, such as the Y from Tesla.

It seems that tire and car manufacturers don't talk to each other much. For some specific models, we will run out of tires, that's for sure. It's more for niche, high-end vehicles, says Yannick Plante, of PMC Tire.

In other cases, tires of a certain size will be out of stock.

“The consumer's problem is that he can't have the tire he wants or the size he wants. You have to play a little to go to a lower diameter. Sometimes it requires the purchase of wheels. »

— A quote from Yannick Plante, Vice President of Operations at PMC Tire in Sherbrooke

Regardless of the price of the tires, consumers have until December 1 to have them installed. Photo : Radio-Canada / Carl Boivin