- Independent tests commissioned by Point S and conducted by TÜV SÜD Product Service show significant disparities between premium, mid-range and budget tyres across a range of safety-critical criteria
- The five Premium tyres tested outperformed the mid-range and budget tyres, with dry and wet handling and braking tests revealing stark differences between tier averages
- The test data comes amid industry debate over the justification of premium tyre prices
- As the world’s largest independent tyre and autocare dealer network, Point S is uniquely positioned to commission independent testing for the benefit of its members, motorists, and the industry
Independent tests commissioned by the world’s largest multi-brand automotive services and tyre sales franchise, Point S, have demonstrated a significant gap in safety and performance between premium, mid-range and budget tyres.
The tests, which were conducted by independent technical testing organisation, TÜV SÜD Product Service, examined the five premium tyre brands against three mid-range and three budget tyre brands across a range of safety-critical criteria on a high demand 18” tyre, the 225/40R18 92Y.(1)
The results demonstrate the markedly superior performance of premium tyres over their mid-range and budget rivals, particularly in wet conditions. On the wet braking test, mid-range tyres took on average 2.33m extra braking distance to bring the test vehicle to a complete stop from 80 km/h. The budget tyres, meanwhile, required 4.47m – the length of a large SUV or a fully grown female giraffe – extra braking distance compared to the premium models.
The five premium tyres also performed better in TÜV SÜD Product Service’s road grip and handling tests. The mid-range tyres required a 3 km/h reduction in speed to match the handling of the average premium tyre on wet roads, while the budget tyres needed a 5 km/h reduction.
Leveraging its position as the world’s largest independent tyre dealer network, Point S commissioned the testing to give its members the most up-to-date, evidence-based advice on tyre safety, enabling them to offer customers the right tyre rather than the cheapest. The move comes amid widespread industry debate over the financial viability of premium tyres.
Point S International CEO, Fabien Bouquet, said: “In today’s challenging economic climate, where inflation is causing price rises, it is natural that drivers are more cost-conscious when it comes to maintaining their vehicles.
“We are increasingly asked by our end customers to justify the price differences between tyre ranges, so we commissioned these tests with TÜV SÜD Product Service to get a truly independent and objective view on this issue. What the testing has confirmed is that premium tyres categorically perform better across all safety-critical test criteria. The question we should be asking ourselves as an industry, therefore, is: can you really put a price on safety?”
To publicise the test results, Point S has issued marketing materials to its network and customers in more than 20 different languages.
(1) Commissioned by Point S, the tests took place in October 2023 using a VW Golf VIII GTD. Five premium brand tyres, three mid-range tyres and three budget tyres were tested under the report number 713311093-PR
About Point S
Founded in 1971, Point S is the world’s largest independent network of vehicle maintenance specialists. Point S offers a diverse range of premium quality products, services and solutions for vehicle maintenance, boasting 53 years of history and a retail concept that has been implemented on five continents. With 6,233 Points of Sale, the company is present in 51 countries around the world and employs more than 31,700 people.
Website: www.point-s-group.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/point-s-group/
POINT S GROUP Press Contact for international:
Muriel Clarke, International Brand Manager, POINT S GROUP, Alianco
muriel.clarke@alianco.ch, +33 634 210 273