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Summary of our market study
The global tire market has proved resilient, with an expected valuation of 276 billion euros in 2022, propelled by an average annual growth rate of 8.05% which is expected to continue until 2029.
Regulations such as the harmonized labeling system and the Loi Montagne have influenced consumer behavior, while a preference for all-season and higher-quality tires has emerged among French consumers.
The French tire market
Demand for tires is linked to the constant increase in road traffic. In recent years, the number of vehicles on the road has increased. In particular, the volume of traffic has increased, resulting in growth of over 20% since the early 2000s.
Despite a contraction in 2020 due to the pandemic, the market rebounded rapidly in 2021, with a 16.6% increase in tire sales volume in 2022.
All-season tires in France will account for 27% of sales in 2022. Sales of 4x4 tires rose by an unprecedented 458%.
A relatively small proportion of drivers are switching to winter tires.
Nearly half of all passenger tire distribution by volume has shifted to car centers, tire specialists and online sales.
The French market is strongly oriented towards touring tires, which account for the majority of market volumes. Truck tires represent a small volume of tires, but more of a high value.
Brand loyalty is strong, and Michelin remains the dominant brand with 64% of the French tire market.
Players in the French tire market
- Michelin is at the forefront of tire manufacturing
- Continental is another powerhouse, with a strong presence in the European sector
- Goodyear has established itself in the industry with strategic products, including all-season tires, summer tires and winter tires. highlighting a versatile and far-reaching product range.
- Bridgestone, the Japanese multinational manufacturer of spare parts for cars and trucks, adds to the global diversity of tire industry leaders.
- Specialist retailers: Euromaster, Point S, Allo Pneus, Feu Vert, Norauto
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Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Definition and scope of study
The tire (tire segment) is produced mainly from rubber and inflated with air or nitrogen. It provides grip and shock absorption by surrounding the metal rim of a vehicle. Tires are characterized by a particular tread pattern (symmetrical, asymmetrical, directional) and a specific type of use (depending on vehicle type, suitable for snowy weather, racing vehicles, etc.).
We must also distinguish between sales of tires directly installed on a newly-registered car ("original equipment") and so-called replacement sales of new or retreaded tires. A distinction is also made between tires for sedans, SUVs and 4x4s, vans, trucks and other vehicles.
The French market suffered from declining sales at the end of 2018. However, certain market segments remain dynamic, such as off-road and truck tires, which are resisting the downward trend in the sector. The market also faces international competition, particularly from Germany and China.
The market can rely on its international players and, above all, on the development of online sales by "pure players", even if they partly undermine the business of specialist retailers (in physical outlets), who lose market share every year.
The boom in online sales is contributing to the downward trend in consumer prices, while reducing manufacturers' and distributors' margins. Falling prices are prompting the sector's major players to offer ever more differentiated products to justify higher price levels, and to constantly renew their ranges and innovations (compressed-air-free technology, for example). The "premium" and "top-of-the-range" segments of the offer are thus doing well, with sales figures on the rise.
The Covid-19 epidemic had a severe impact on the original equipment tire segment, but replacement sales should remain stable, enabling manufacturers to weather this external shock. The sector has been hit hard by inflation, with average prices rising by more than 10% across all segments and distribution channels.
The global tire market was valued at 276 billion euros in 2022 , and is expected to grow atan average annual rate of 8.05%.
On a national scale, the volume of tire production and retreading is expected to exceed 31 million in 2022.
1.2 Global market growth
Tire market trends France, **** - ****, in billions of euros Source: ****
*projections
estimated at *** billion euros in ****, the global tire market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of *.**% until ****, reaching sales of ***.** billion euros.
Passenger car tire production breakdown Europe, ****, in Source: ****
At European level, Germany is the ...
1.3 The French market
Trends in tire sales volume (***) France, **** - ****, in millions Source: ****
The French tire market is generally very stable. There have been few significant rises or falls over the past decade, apart from during the pandemic. The market did contract in **** (***). In ****, market volume was estimated at **.** million tires.
Evolution of tire ...
1.4 Foreign trade
External balance of the tire sector France, **** - ****, in thousands of euros Source: ****
After the pandemic, international trade rapidly picked up again, particularly imports. The coverage rate was *.** in ****. The main countries receiving French exports are as follows:
Main tire export partner countries France, ****, in thousands of euros Source: ****
Germany is ...
2 Demand analysis
2.1 Structural determinants of demand: road traffic
Naturally, the demand for tires (***) is highly dependent on the density of road traffic in France. These two indices are correlated, since the more cars there are, the more tires are needed.
Average daily traffic trends France, **** - ****, in vehicles/day Source: ****
There is a structural increase in road traffic in ...
2.2 Demand drivers: the seasons
The seasons play an important role in tire demand. But not all French people are sensitive to this variable, and therefore don't change their tires all year round:
Tire choice by season France, ****, in Source : Goodyear The majority of French drivers use all-season tires all year round (***). More than a fifth ...
2.3 French preferences
All-season tires increasingly popular
Tire sales volumes by type France, **** - ****, index base *** in **** Source: ****
Since ****, the trend has clearly been in favor of all-season tires. This type of tire will account for **% of sales in ****.
Winter tires, on the other hand, are affected by the government's delay in implementing the ...
2.4 Favourite Brands in France
Preferred tire brands France, ****, % of total Source: ****
Michelin is by far the most popular tire brand in France, with **.*% of respondents saying they like the brand. It is also the best-known: only *.*% of those surveyed were unfamiliar with it. The other four brands have relatively similar statistics: they are liked by ...
3 Market structure
3.1 Market organization: from new tire production to distribution
Source: ****
3.2 A trend towards concentration of players
The sector appears to be undergoing a process of concentration, as illustrated by the following graph:
Number of establishments in penumatic manufacturing and retreading France, **** - ****, in units Source: ****
The number of companies registered under NAF code ****Z "Tire manufacturing and retreading" has effectively been in structural decline since ****. In ****, there ...
3.3 Distribution
the following chart shows the changing structure of the tire sales sector since ****:
Passenger car tire volumes by distribution channel France, **** - ****, in Source: ****
The growing popularity of other channels (***).
Focus on specialized distribution
Breakdown of volumes by type of activity France, ****, in Source: ****
In terms of volume, the BtoB and ...
4 Offer analysis
4.1 Tyre types and main parts
The main parts of tires
The crown area: This is the area in contact with the road surface, so it must provide grip without impeding rolling. In addition, to prevent aquaplaning, this zone is sculpted with slots whose depth depends on the type of tire and current regulations. Sidewall: this area ...
4.2 Price trends
Tire price trends by category France, **** - ****, in € incl. VAT Source: ****
While tire prices (***). Light truck and touring tires, meanwhile, reached record prices in ****: the price of a light truck tire is €***, and the price of a touring tire, although still the least expensive, is €***.
Average price trends for all-season, summer ...
4.3 Sales structure by product
Breakdown of sales volumes by product type France, ****, in Source: ****
In terms of volume, sales of passenger tires account for a significant share (***). However, the orders of magnitude change dramatically when we reason in terms of sales rather than sales volume:
Breakdown of specialized tire distribution sales by product type France, ...
5 Regulations
5.1 Harmonized systems and Nomenclature des Activités Françaises
The Harmonized System is an international nomenclature for product classification. It enables participating countries to classify traded goods on a common basis for customs purposes. At international level, the Harmonized System (***) for the classification of goods is a six-digit code system. [***]
The HS comprises around *,*** item/product descriptions, which appear as ...
5.2 Current regulations
Since June ****, all tires manufactured and marketed within the European Union must carry a sticker or label displayed at the point of sale. The label must provide a range of information:
Wet braking (***) Tire noise level (***) Fuel consumption (***)
Source: ****
These obligations were reinforced in November **** and **** with controls. This labeling system ...
6 Positioning the players
6.1 Segmentation
- Michelin Groupe
- Goodyear
- Bridgestone
- Euromaster
- Speedy (Bridgestone)
- Mobivia Groupe (Norauto, Midas)
- Point S
- Allopneus
- Feu Vert
- Norauto France
- Pirelli
- Continental
- Midas France
- Hankook Tire
- Roady (ITM Intermarché)
- WYZ Entreprise
- Bestdrive (Continental group)
- Bestdrive (Continental group)
- First Stop (Bridgestone)
- 1001Pneus
List of charts presented in this market study
- Tire market trends
- Breakdown of passenger car tire production
- Average daily traffic trends
- Number of kilometers traveled
- Growth in the number of liber-t (electronic toll collection for light vehicles) subscribers
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Latest news
A new CEO for Mobivia (Norauto, Auto 5...) - 08/02/2024
- - Mobivia brings together 11 brands and some twenty start-ups
- - Mobivia sales of 3.6 billion euros
- - Mobivia has 1985 workshops and car centers in 17 European countries
- - More than half of Mobivia's sales are generated internationally
- - Mobivia's core businesses are: motorist services, parts and tire distribution, and new mobility.
- - Among Mobivia's twenty or so start-ups are Gaya, Trusk, Fifteen, the European leader in public bike-sharing services.
- - Norauto, Auto 5, ATU, Midas, Carter-Cash, Bythjul & Skruvat, Däckskiftarna, Synchro Diffusion, iWip and Black-Star are just some of the brands that are part of Mobivia.
Michelin strengthens its business outside tires - 21/06/2023
- Michelin sales in 2022: €26.8 billion
- Percentage of tire-related business by 2030: 75% to 70%
- FGC is a company specializing in high-tech materials and fabrics
- Value of Michelin's acquisition of Flex Composite Group (FGC): 700 million euros
- FCG sales in 2022: 200 million euros
- FCG employs 400 people in six production centers in Belgium and Italy
- Michelin acquired Fenner in 2018
- Sales of Michelin's high-tech materials business in 2022: €1 billion
- Expected sales of Michelin's high-tech materials business after the acquisition of FCG: €1.3 billion
- FCG average organic growth between 2015 and 2022: 11%
Italy unleashes its "Golden Power" to protect Pirelli from its Chinese shareholder - 20/06/2023
- Camfin, Pirelli's holding company, holds 14.1% of the capital.
- Sinochem, the main investor, holds 37% of the capital.
- The Italian government limits Sinochem to choosing 9 out of 15 board members
- Certain strategic decisions require the approval of at least 80% of directors.
- Golden Power was introduced in 2012.
- Sectors initially covered by Golden Power: defense, energy, transport and telecommunications.
- Electrolux, whose activities could be protected by Golden Power, has 6 production sites and 6,000 employees in Italy.
Michelin launches a new wave of acquisitions to ensure diversification - 20/06/2023
- Michelin acquires Italian company Flex Composite Group (FCG)
- FCG enterprise value: 700 million euros
- FCG has 400 employees
- FCG business sectors: marine, supercars and electric vehicles, sports, construction
- FCG sales in 2022: 202 million euros
- FCG average annual growth rate since 2015: 11
- Michelin target: 20% of sales in "non-tire" activities by 2030
- Michelin "non-tire" sales in 2022: 1.3 billion euros (or 5% of total)
- Previous Michelin acquisitions before the Covid crisis: approx. 3 billion euros (Fenner, Multistrada, Camso)
Michelin: 5 to 10 billion for acquisitions. - 13/05/2023
- Over 80% of sales under the Michelin brand.
- Less than 10% of passenger car tire sales from original equipment
- Objective of generating between 20% and 30% of sales in non-tire businesses by 2030, compared with 5% in 2020.
85 million loan from French State to save Goodyear's Amiens-Sud plant - 07/05/2023
- 44.6 million euro subsidy at the beginning of 2022 for the Amiens site (Somme) specialized in the manufacture of agricultural tires
- 85-million euro loan from the French government to modernize the Amiens-Sud site
- Goodyear commitment to invest 100 million euros
- Amiens-Sud plant employs 800 people
- Amiens-Nord: closure in January 2014, 1,143 redundancies
- Goodyear has 57 plants in 23 countries and employs over 72,000 people
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