Silverline 4×4 tyre range ‘evolving’

Silverline 4×4 wheels and tyres, a company well-known for its specialism on off-road-capable tyres, reports that even its range has evolved in light of changing trends towards SUVs. One manifestation of this can be seen in the addition of a number of more road-orientated Atturo brand tyres to the company’s line-up at the end of 2014, namely the AZ 800, 850 and 600.

This change, sales and marketing director Chris Dawson explained, is something of an “evolution” that has taken place in response to market demand. Another example of a product that reflects the ongoing trend is the 285/50 R20 Trailblade MT, which is aimed squarely at Land Cruiser and Range Rover Evoque drivers.

“The SUV sector continues to grow, you only have to look at what the vehicle manufacturers are doing with regard to the development and marketing of new vehicles…”, Dawson explained, adding: “but the real growth is in the CUV sector where Ford, Vauxhall and others have all released compact vehicles.”

The point of interest for the tyre sector, Dawson added, is the supply and demand chain precipitated by this market development. “Those that are supplying OE are doing well. Non-OE suppliers however haven’t fared so well.”

From Silverline’s point of view, the SUV market is set to continue to grow a few points a year for the next few years at least. That said, Silverline’s strength remains in the more traditional 4×4 tyre market, with the all-terrain, mud-terrain and forthcoming XT products.

Asked how big he thought off-road 4×4 tyre demand is in the UK, Dawson replied that T&A’s figure of 311,000 is a bit too low in his view. Something towards 500,000 units a year would probably make more sense. This, says Dawson, is down to the fact that many people are buying true off-road products, not as hobbyists, but as professionals. And while it is true that there are some Professional Off Road (POR) exemptions in the European legislation on rolling noise – a factor in the reduction of out-and-out mud-terrain vehicles – there are many groundswork builders, electrical engineers etc that don’t want the hassle of sourcing tyres that may ultimately be a compromise when all they want is to restore failed power lines on the other side of a muddy field in the highlands in the middle of the night. For them, a calculation that balances a labyrinthine equation concerning void depths and speed ratings in order to identify compliance is beyond the motivation of most.

Looking forward, Silverline are set to launch the new Aturro Trailblade XT around the end of April/start of May.