US motorists getting more tyre satisfaction
The tyre brand study rankings by vehicle segment are as follows:
Luxury:
Michelin (780)
Pirelli (764)
Bridgestone (741)
Passenger car:
Michelin (752)
Goodyear (707)
Firestone (688)
Truck/utility:
Michelin (736)
Bridgestone (710)
BFGoodrich (689)
Performance sport segment:
Pirelli (739)
Goodyear (732)
Bridgestone (724)
According to a new study from J.D. Power, the number of problems owners in the US experience with their original equipment tyres declined 22 per cent to 68.5 problems per 100 vehicles in 2014 – down from 88.3 in 2010. The 2014 Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study also found the incidence of all tyre problems measured has declined over the five-year span, with the largest improvements in fast tread wear, slow leaks and uneven wear.
The study measured tyre owner satisfaction after two years of vehicle ownership in four segments: luxury, passenger car, performance sport and truck/utility. Satisfaction was examined in four factors: tyre wearability, tyre ride, tyre appearance, and tyre traction/handling.
The study found that when owners do not experience any problems with their tyres, 36 per cent said they expected to purchase the same brand of tyre upon replacement and 32 per cent of owners said they “definitely will” recommend their OE tyres to family and friends. Once an owner experiences a single problem with their tyre, loyalty drops to 24 per cent and advocacy dips to an average of 18 per cent.
According to survey results, nearly 50 per cent of all owners believe the type of tyre on their vehicle can affect fuel economy. However, only one-third of owners indicated they intend to have fuel-efficiency as a goal when purchasing tyres in the future.
While sub-compact car owners were most likely to indicate their intent to have fuel-efficiency as a goal when purchasing tyres in the future (47 per cent), mid-size pickup (42 per cent) and large light duty pickup truck owners (38 per cent) also did. Tire Review
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