During the most tumultuous year in living memory, independent tire dealers didn't just maintain the status quo. They increased their collective share of the U.S. consumer tire replacement market, according to MTD's 2021 Facts Issue, which is available now.
Dealers gained ground last year as vehicle owners turned to them for expert advice and service when pent-up demand that had accumulated during the first few months of the COVID-19 crisis loosened.
The independent dealer channel now makes up 65.5% of the U.S. consumer tire replacement market versus 63% in 2019.
At the same time, mass merchandisers lost share, driven in large part by the temporary shutdown of Walmart Auto Care Centers - followed by a slower-than-anticipated reopening of those outlets. (As of Jan. 6, 2,388 out of 2,582 total Walmart Auto Care Centers had reopened, a Walmart spokesperson confirmed.)
Auto dealerships and tire company-owned stores maintained their respective positions versus last year. Here's a more detailed look:
Channel
2020
2019
Independent tire dealers
65.5%
63.0%
Auto dealerships
9.5%
9.5%
Mass merchandisers
8.0%
10.5%
Warehouse clubs
8.0%
8.5%
Tire company-owned stores
6.0%
6.0%
Miscellaneous outlets
3.0%
2.5%
While the above chart tracks market share for brick-and-mortar operations, it should be noted that online tire sales accelerated during 2020 due to stay-at-home orders and changing consumer habits.
Exclusive data like the above - plus information about passenger, light truck and medium truck tire shipments and market share; sales; distribution; tire pricing and sizing; North American tire plant capacities; mergers and acquisitions; automotive service; and more can be found in MTD's 2021 Facts Issue.
Don't miss this in-depth look at the numbers that define our industry!
