2022 Into 2023: Truck Tires in Focus
Commercial truck tires play a huge role in everything from road safety to fuel efficiency, and trucking professionals and tire manufacturers have experienced a shift in focus recently regarding the trajectory of the tire market. Below are some insights from 2022 as well as some predictions for 2023:
An Increasing Focus Placed on Light-Duty Tires
In 2022, a large focus in commercial tire manufacturing will be on light-duty tires, and this trend looks to continue in 2023. A big part of the reason for this focus has been the increasing use of last-mile delivery and less-than-truckload vehicles that have become standard due to online ordering and the need for regional transport.
Medium-Duty Tires Play Their Part
As a complement to light-duty tires, medium-duty tires have also been getting more attention in recent years. Once again, this comes down to an increase in local and regional traffic for same-day delivery and similar services where larger regional trucks are needed for loads that don’t necessitate over-the-road rigs.
Heavy-Duty Truck Tires Get Help With Chemistry
In the heavy-duty commercial truck tire sector, advancements in composite design have been bolstered by chemistry. Nanocomposite polymer technology and new casings from companies like Toyo Tires have helped the heavy-duty tire market keep up with evolving standards, lowering rolling resistance while also increasing wear time.
The Effect of Supply Chain Challenges on the Tire Market
Supply chain disruptions have also played a part in changing the commercial truck tire landscape. Availability of raw materials has caused some tire manufacturers to rethink design choices, but by and large, the largest effect supply chain troubles have had is that it has led to improvement in communication between tire manufacturers, truck manufacturers, engineers, and trucking companies owners.
This conversation has proven useful in allowing all parties to share their experiences freely, and it has helped to forge a tighter bond within the trucking industry as a whole among all participants. The hope is that, despite ongoing challenges related to fuel prices and the impact of inflation in general, tire manufacturers and their engineers can work closely with others to make life easier for fleet managers, drivers, and end customers.
Additional Credit: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10181495/state-of-the-commercial-truck-tire-industry-in-2022
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