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Light Truck Tires: Bigger Better

Autosphere » Tires » Light Truck Tires: Bigger Better
The LT tire market is growing, and so are the tire sizes in this segment. Credit: Evanto

The LT tire market is growing, and so are the tire sizes in this segment.

“Growth” is the word that probably best describes the state of the Light Truck (LT) tire market in Canada in 2024 and beyond. Not only is the market for LT tires, growing, but so are the sizes of the tires. Moreover, consumers want more from their LT tires, which is why tire manufacturers have stepped up to the plate and are delivering the goods.

“In 2024 and beyond, the Light Truck tire market is focusing on durability, fuel efficiency, enhanced grip, and quieter rides as key consumer demands,” explains James McIntyre, VP Sales—Canada, Sailun Tire Americas. “Manufacturers are responding with advanced materials (like Eco-Point 3), sustainability efforts, and tires designed to work on electric trucks.”

Joseph Postiglione, Segment Manager, PLT STR at Dynamic Tire agrees, adding that “when it comes to consumer preferences, the focus tends to be on several key factors: price, design (such as tread pattern and sidewall aggressiveness), and performance (including road noise, 3PMS, tread wear, construction, and cut resistance), though the order of importance may vary by consumer and region.”

Consumers also seem to be gravitating towards larger wheel packages offered by vehicle manufacturers, which translates into a demand for larger tire sizes on the replacement side of the market. “We’re seeing a trend towards 18-, 19- and 20-inch tires,” says Angela Crivoi, Market Planning Manager, Consumer Segment at Yokohama Tire Canada. “The bulk of the tires we’re going to see next year will be in this size category.”

Catering to consumer needs

The LT tire market is often segmented into sub-categories, each of which caters to the needs of consumers who are looking for particular qualities in their tires. Sailun’s McIntyre notes that although there’s growth in the LT tire market, some sub-categories are doing better than others.

“All-Terrain (AT) and Rugged Terrain (RT) tires are experiencing strong growth due to increasing demand for off-road versatility,” he says. “Mud-Terrain (MT) tires remain a niche and are showing some decline in the market, while Highway Terrain (HT) tires are stable, but growing more slowly. There is also an upward trend for smaller AT tires for CUVs like the Crosstrek, and smaller pick-up trucks like the Maverick and Santa Cruz.”

Yokohama’s Crivoi estimates that collectively, HT and AT tires are the biggest sellers in Canada. “They make up around 80-84% of the market,” she explains. “We’re also seeing a growing demand for tires in this segment with 3PMS certification.”

Electric truck market

Another key influence on the LT tire market is the growth in the number of electric trucks on Canadian roads. “These trucks need a completely different tire,” Crivoi explains. “These vehicles are very heavy, so we have to fortify the cords and internal belts, for example.”

Crivoi recalls a conversation she recently had with a tire distributor who had heard that some EV owners are going through tires alarmingly quickly. In some cases, the distributor told her, they need new tires every 20,000 km. If this is in fact what some EV drivers have to deal with, then it only underscores the importance of EV-specific tires for the electric truck market. These tires must be able to handle the specific demands placed on them by these heavy vehicles.

Dynamic Tire’s Postiglione explains why electric vehicles have specific needs: “EVs have significantly transformed the tire industry, pushing tires to their limits like never before. Tire manufacturers are now focusing on three key areas to meet the demands of EVs. First is weight: EVs are heavier than traditional vehicles, necessitating higher load ratings to support the extra weight. Next is noise: The quiet operation of EVs makes tire noise more noticeable, leading consumers to seek out quieter tire options. Finally, there’s wear: There’s an emphasis on reducing rolling resistance to help extend battery life, a crucial consideration for EV owners.”

The good news for tire retailers is that they probably won’t have to stock up on EV-specific tires for their LT customers just yet. As Sailun’s McIntyre explains, the number of EV trucks on the roads today in Canada is “still a relatively small number at this point.”

Future forecast

With the LT tire market evolving at such a quick pace, we may all wonder what the future holds. “In the coming years, the light truck tire market will likely see advancements in durability, eco-friendly technologies, and smart features,” McIntyre predicts. “There will be increased focus on safety and performance, especially with the rise of electric and autonomous vehicles.”

Yokohama’s Crivoi notes that the trend towards larger tire sizes is likely to stay with us for the foreseeable future. “We’re going to see larger-diameter LT tires dominate the market, and we’ll see less of the 16- and 17-inch tires,” she says.

The LT tire market should remain healthy as long as Canadian consumers continue to buy light trucks, larger crossovers and SUVs. “As light truck sales continue to rise,” concludes Dynamic Tire’s Postiglione, “I anticipate that the LT tire market will grow accordingly.”

In The Spotlight Evergreen DynaVenture A/T

The DynaVenture A/T has been engineered for drivers who want the best of both worlds: comfortable city driving and the occasional off-road adventure. It promises excellent traction on diverse terrains, from highway pavement to gravel roads. Credit: Dynamic Tire

Sailun Terramax RT

The Terramax RT been engineered to tackle tough terrain, and winter’s worst, thanks to its 3PMS certification. The tough shoulder lugs with stone ejectors remove debris, when necessary, and the tire promises a comfortable ride and reduced road noise on paved roads. Credit: Sailun

Yokohama GEOLANDAR A/T4

The Yokohama GEOLANDAR A/T4 all-terrain tire was engineered for adventure-loving drivers who want a perfect balance of on-road comfort and off-road reliability. It delivers outstanding off-road resilience and dependable all-weather traction, thanks in part to its 3PMS rating. Credit: Yokohama

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