Equipment Keeping Pace with Market Demand

Tire service equipment manufacturers took advantage of the Automechanika trade show to unveil their latest solutions. Visitors were treated to many rewarding encounters.

“Our research and development is rooted in North America,” highlights Eduardo Villareal during an interview at the Hunter Engineering booth, “but here, we’re featuring equipment that isn’t as widely known on your continent.”

However, equipment development remains tightly aligned with market realities. Hunter’s catalogue already includes the machinery needed to service new Asian vehicles, for instance. “European shops take a slightly different approach to tire equipment,” Villareal explains. “Tire shops look for fast, straightforward machinery, but they also pay close attention to ergonomics. They’re also extremely rigorous when it comes to maintenance; they take great care of their equipment.”

It was much the same story over at Snap-on, where a massive Total Shop Solutions booth showcased the stars of its lineup, including Hofmann tire changers and balancers. Recognizing the critical role of technician training, the supplier ran multiple demonstrations at its booth, notably featuring the V4400 Commander wheel aligner. What’s more, the company actively led training sessions in the trade show area dedicated to technical support.

For tire and mechanical repair shops, wheel alignment checks can be a real moneymaker. Educating customers on how proper alignment keeps drivers and passengers safe, particularly when paired with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), goes a long way toward closing the sale. Highlighting how it prevents uneven or early tire wear, helping them protect a major purchase, is another compelling selling point.

Several equipment suppliers are introducing fast-check inspection solutions. Case in point: Rotary Solutions, where Autosphere gathered details on the R2500 system, an equipment setup scheduled to hit our market in 2028.

The system utilizes mobile 3D measuring units, mounted either on the floor or directly on a lift, to diagnose wheel alignment conditions in static or dynamic modes. In drive-through setups, the vehicle simply rolls past the sensors and generates an instant diagnostic report. According to the company, while a shop might typically perform 12 standard alignment checks a day, this technology can boost that total to 60. Given that an average of one out of two vehicles requires alignment correction, and half of those customers approve the work, a shop can increase its alignment revenue fivefold.

Pirelli joins the party 

Pirelli took full advantage of Automechanika to showcase its brand-new product line alongside high-performance tire applications. The manufacturer also used the Future Mobility Park showcase to spotlight tires tailored to optimize battery range in electric and hybrid models.