AA planning mobile tyre-fitting service

The AA will soon launch a tyre-fitting fleet as part of its company’s expansion strategy as a listed company. Tyres & Accessories understands that this will run in conjunction with a specific industry partner as opposed to being directly owned and run by the AA. AA Tyres will being with 30 vans, something which suggests it will not offer national coverage initially. However, this figure and therefore also the coverage, is likely to increase over time.

The AA, which currently operates in the tyre business through a partnership deal with National Tyres & Autocare, previously owned one of the largest tyre fitting networks in the UK. However, this venture ended in 2004 when the AA closed the 122-branch network and sold around 50 branches to Nationwide Autocentres. The connection with National Tyres is expected to continue following the launch of the new venture in the form of special offers and discounts for AA members at the tyre retailer.

The new AA service will aim to address the fact that punctures and tyre-related breakdowns are the second-most common reason for calling the AA, accounting for 15 per cent of calls (number one is said to be flat batteries). To this end, the new AA tyre service will offer puncture repairs, balancing and replacement tyre fitting.

The news is set against the backdrop of a £935 million restructuring plan which sees the AA invest in services, IT systems and advertising.