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  • LT Tire Market Trends Are Reshaping Dealer Inventory Decisions - AUDIO

    LT Tire Market Trends Are Reshaping Dealer Inventory Decisions - AUDIO
    Dec 23 2025
    The tire market has narrowed, specialized, and become more intentional. That shift matters for independent tire dealers trying to decide what to stock, how to sell it, and where margins still exist.

    This episode of Tire Review AI Insights pulls directly from Tire Review’s most recent reporting. It breaks down the trends shaping dealer decisions right now. Ongoing demand from work trucks, towing applications, and lifestyle use continues to anchor growth across OE and replacement. That demand never faded after the pandemic. Within the broader LT category, rugged-terrain tires are gaining traction. Customers want something more aggressive than an all-terrain tire. They do not want to commit to a full mud-terrain. That middle ground is quickly becoming a core category on the sales floor.

    The discussion also looks upstream at manufacturing and supply. Production shifts and regional investments rarely make headlines at the counter. They directly influence availability, pricing stability, and lead times. Imports now play a larger role in filling demand gaps. They especially impact key LT sizes. This shift forces dealers to be more deliberate about brand mix, positioning, and customer expectations.

    Technology trends surface as well, though not in flashy ways. Many of the most meaningful tire innovations today are embedded, durability-focused, and driven by OE requirements that eventually flow into replacement. For dealers, that means better service outcomes and longer-term performance conversations, even if customers never ask about the technology itself.
    Throughout the conversation, Tire Review headlines are referenced as supporting evidence, grounding each takeaway in real reporting rather than speculation. For dealers looking to understand where the market is heading and how to align inventory, sales conversations, and category focus this episode connects the dots between industry movement and shop-level reality.


    This episode includes AI-generated content.
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    6 min
  • How Tire Shops Are Cutting Job Times Nearly in Half

    How Tire Shops Are Cutting Job Times Nearly in Half
    Dec 12 2025
    In this episode of Tire Review’s AI Insights, we break down the biggest revenue-shaping trends moving through the auto service industry right now – the ones directly influencing margins, bay efficiency, and talent retention. Pulling from recent Tire Review analysis, the conversation focuses on what shops can use immediately to strengthen both profitability and customer trust.

    The discussion starts with a surprising constant: the oil change remains a core profit driver. But the strategy behind it has fundamentally changed. Instead of racing to the bottom on price, the shops seeing the strongest results are reframing full synthetic and premium additives as long-term value. That shift fuels better reviews, stronger customer relationships, and repeat business – especially when paired with simple follow-up steps like personalized owner messages.

    From there, the episode moves into efficiency, where automation is reshaping the modern service bay. Hunter Engineering’s pairing of automated balancers and changers is a standout example, cutting a four-tire job from 34 minutes to just 19 – a 44% time savings that directly combats technician shortages and lifts shop throughput. Even tools like two-post lifts are getting smarter, reducing setup time and improving safety. Continental’s use of AMRs in retreading facilities shows how automation is streamlining operations well beyond the bay.

    Specialization also takes center stage. EV-specific components, such as dedicated Model 3 shock absorbers, are creating profitable new service categories. In agriculture, farmers holding onto equipment longer is generating consistent demand for VF tires, which reduce soil compaction and support higher yields.

    All this said, none of these trends matter without skilled people. Technician training, certifications, and competitive pay are becoming essential investments for any shop looking to turn technology and specialization into real, lasting revenue.

    Tire Review: www.tirereview.com
    Hankook Tire: www.hankooktire.com


    This episode includes AI-generated content.
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    5 min
  • Dealers Are Missing Huge Tire Trends Heading Into 2026

    Dealers Are Missing Huge Tire Trends Heading Into 2026
    Nov 28 2025
    Independent tire dealers want clearer direction of tire industry trends heading into 2026. The latest reporting from Tire Review reveals several trends that directly influence profit, workflow, and customer conversations. The insights center on how dealers can adapt to shifting consumer expectations and emerging tire technologies. The insights also cover new service opportunities that strengthen margins.

    A major storyline involves EV-specific tire development. These pressures include heavier loads, stronger torque, and range expectations that reshape tire design. These changes create steady, high-value replacement opportunities and help dealers explain to EV owners why proper fitment matters. EV tire discussions also spark natural add-on services like balancing and alignment, which help raise average repair orders.

    Category evolution is another key theme. Reporting like “How SUVs and CUVs Contribute to Modern All-Season Tire Development” shows key shifts. Reporting like “Stable Winter Tire Market Offers Dealers Opportunities to Grow Customer Loyalty” also shows key shifts. These shifts affect all-season, all-weather, and winter segments. These changes influence stocking decisions and create steady opportunities to guide customers toward tires that match real-world driving conditions.

    Specialty projects also play a growing role in dealer engagement. The feature “Cosmo Tires, Western Iowa Tech Students Team Up on 1972 Chevy Blazer Build” shows lifestyle storytelling boosts interest. The feature also shows how hands-on projects boost interest in premium A/T, M/T, and UHP products. Dealers can apply similar approaches to highlight their expertise and strengthen connections within their communities.

    Service-lane opportunities tie everything together. Recent reporting on TPMS best practices, alignment updates, and balancing innovations underscores key benefits. These benefits include reduced comebacks, improved customer confidence, and reliable revenue.

    Together, these trends offer a clear, actionable view of where tire industry trends are heading in 2026. These trends also show how shops can position themselves for stronger growth in the year ahead.


    This episode includes AI-generated content.
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    6 min
  • Are EVs and AI a Secret Goldmine?

    Are EVs and AI a Secret Goldmine?
    Nov 13 2025
    As 2025 winds down, independent tire dealers are rethinking what drives real profit. In this episode of Tire Review AI Insights, we break down two trends shaping the shop of the future: The EV tire market and AI-powered diagnostics.

    Electric vehicles are wearing out tires faster than traditional models, and that’s turning EV tire service into one of the most lucrative opportunities in the industry. We investigate how new lines like Nexen’s N’FERA Supreme EV ROOT and Hankook’s iON family are being engineered for heavier loads, instant torque, and quieter rides, and why stocking these products early can help dealers capture higher-margin sales.

    Then, the conversation shifts from products to process. From Anyline’s updated TireBuddy app to digital shop management systems like Autologue, AI inspection tools are becoming the secret weapon for workflow efficiency. By automatically reading DOT codes, tread depths, and tire conditions, these platforms provide technicians with the information they need to confidently and consistently recommend service.

    We also see how operational efficiency is powering expansion, spotlighting Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers’ new locations and how tech-forward shops are scaling smarter, not bigger. The episode ties it all together with one clear takeaway: the dealers who invest in EV-specific tires and connected diagnostics now will set the standard for 2026 profitability.

    Hankook Tire: www.hankooktire.com


    This episode includes AI-generated content.
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    7 min
  • Data, Supply Chains, and SEMA

    Data, Supply Chains, and SEMA
    Oct 29 2025
    As 2025 comes to a close, tire dealers are looking for clarity. Which trends will actually impact your business in 2026? In this episode of the Tire Review AI Insights Podcast, we break down three storylines forming today's tire industry trends, all drawn from Tire Review’s recent reporting.

    First, we look at how smarter diagnostics and data-driven service strategies are helping dealers turn shop efficiency into real profit. Articles like “Turn Your Data Into Big Profits in Your Tire Shop” and “Check All the Angles When Doing an Alignment” reveal how AI-enabled tools, connected alignment systems, and digital platforms are closing workflow gaps that used to cost dealers time and money.

    Next, we explore the connection between sustainability and profitability. Manufacturers, including Giti Tire, featured in “Giti Tire Officially Issues $115 Million Sustainability Notes,” are investing in domestic production and cleaner manufacturing to stabilize pricing and improve supply reliability (two things dealers value most heading into the new year).

    Finally, the conversation turns to what’s ahead at AAPEX and SEMA, where the industry’s next wave of training programs, technologies, and tire launches are setting the tone for 2026. From advanced diagnostic tools to evolving tire platforms, this year’s event season offers a preview of the challenges and opportunities waiting for tire dealers in Q1.

    Whether you’re planning next year’s product lineup or rethinking your bay setup, this episode offers a focused, data-backed snapshot of tire industry trends as the industry prepares for 2026.
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    7 min
  • How EV Alignments (and Five Other Strategies) Can Drive Profits

    How EV Alignments (and Five Other Strategies) Can Drive Profits
    Oct 16 2025
    How much profit is your shop leaving on the alignment rack? In this episode of the Tire Review AI Podcast, we share six actionable strategies based on Tire Review reporting. These strategies help tire dealers turn everyday services into long-term revenue — starting with EV alignment profit.

    As electric vehicles appear more often in service bays, alignment precision now directly affects range, energy efficiency, and customer trust. But, tire dealers can position a “Range Recovery” alignment as a premium service. This demonstrates measurable performance improvements and builds loyalty among EV owners.

    Today's conversation covers more profit opportunities from recent Tire Review reporting as well. These include TPMS diagnostics, driver assistance calibration, winter tire sales, off-road fitment consulting, and fleet ROI planning. Each segment provides practical steps dealers can use immediately. Examples include building flat-rate menus, creating bundled inspections, and scheduling pre-planned fleet reviews before year-end.

    Whether you manage one location or a growing network of stores, these strategies help you boost EV alignment profit. They also improve bay utilization and create recurring revenue that continues into 2026.

    Tire Review: www.tirereview.com
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    6 min
  • Turn September Tire Headlines Into Profits

    Turn September Tire Headlines Into Profits
    Sep 23 2025
    Independent dealers have lots of ways to boost profits as we head into the fall selling season. This episode turns September tire trends into three moves you can use to grow your business today.

    Fueling Business Growth

    Growth doesn’t always mean more rooftops. Optimize your current footprint first. Tighten services, train advisors, and remove bay bottlenecks. Use consolidations to reassess supplier terms. Renegotiate fill rates, programs, and support that improve CSI, not just cost. Treat M&A as a reset for better inventory and stronger margins.

    Turn September Tire Trends Into Sales

    Three lanes stand out here. First, EV OE fitments. Use them to validate performance with skeptical shoppers. “This tire ships on that platform” builds trust fast. Second, fleets and last-mile delivery. Package tire, maintenance, and roadside assistance with clear Service-Level Agreements and reporting. Sell uptime, not price. Third, ATV/UTV and overlanding tire sales. Train advisors to ask, “How much highway driving is involved?” That one answer can help to guide pattern, construction, noise, and warranty. Stock premium options and map the tire to the fitment. Use these September tire trends to steer merchandising and staff talk tracks.

    Build Reputation and Trust

    Think of your content as a storefront. Publish short explainers on tire differences, load ratings for overlanding, and delivery van rotations. Keep it plainspoken and specific. Show curiosity about AI tools or heading to SEMA. Frame them as ways to speed estimates, track wear, and reduce comebacks. Stick to clear explanations, consistent follow-through, and clean work to win reviews and repeat business.

    Take Action This Week on These September Tire Trends

    Audit one supplier agreement after reading this article. Publish a two-minute ATV/UTV selection guide. Add an EV OE fitment page with service tie-ins. Pitch a starter fleet package with a written uptime promise. Use September tire trends as your checklist for the next 30 days.
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    5 min
  • Tire Launches and Trends Driving September Sales

    Tire Launches and Trends Driving September Sales
    Sep 3 2025
    As tire dealers gear up for the fall selling season, there’s a lot to unpack from the industry headlines that closed out August. In this episode, we break down the trends, product launches, and corporate shakeups that could shape every tire dealer's September strategy, starting with TPMS.

    From service reminders to battery replacement timelines, TPMS continues to be one of the most consistent upsell opportunities in the bay. We highlight why now’s the time to reinforce sensor testing procedures and customer education, especially as colder weather approaches.

    On the product side, we spotlight new tire releases and discuss how to time your inventory mix for the coming winter months. But it’s not just about the tires. We also dig into Goodyear’s major leadership changes, Sun Auto’s acquisition in Texas, and how those shifts may affect dealer relationships and local market dynamics. And while there wasn’t much in the way of soft-brand content this time around, we scan the uncategorized pieces for anything dealers should know heading into Q4.

    If you’re looking for a quick, strategic update that translates industry news into shop-level actions, this episode gives you a clear path to start September strong.
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    7 min