STOKE-ON-TRENT, England—Michelin has reported a steady shift toward 315/70 R 22.5 fitments within the U.K. truck tire replacement market.
The trend, according to Michelin, is being driven by the growth of Euro VI registrations and lower cost-of-ownership with the new tire sizes.
Figures released by European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers' Association show the 295/80 R 22.5—widely used by U.K. drivers—has decreased its share of the U.K.'s replacement market by 3 points since 2010.
Over the same time scale, the 315/70 R 22.5 has increased its share by 3.4 points and the 315/80 R 22.5 by 0.6 points.
This trend, Michelin said, is strengthening year-on-year, with the 295/80 decreasing by 1 point between 2014-15 and the 315/70 growing by 1.7 points.
“Operators are realizing that moving to 315/70 tires can reduce their running costs and open access to the very latest generations of products, which tend to be developed in this size first due to its popularity across Europe,” said Guy Heywood, commercial director of Michelin.
Michelin added that 315/70 tires offer benefits in terms of fuel efficiency and tire longevity.