14/03/2011: Why not look out for some low cost tyres?

Low cost tyres are likely to be in demand for a good while now so if you want some then it’s a great time to start looking. The recent news that new car registrations across Europe fell 5% during 2010 is only going to drive up demand even further. Indeed low cost tyres are likely to be on the shopping list of a good many of those motorists who have decided to keep their existing car for longer rather than buying a new one. So is this the end of the road for low cost tyres you might well ask?

The truth is that low cost tyres are not likely to become an endangered species just yet. World tyre production is booming whilst falling new vehicle sales may lead to stockpiling. In this situation, it’s likely that low cost tyres may be offered by online and traditional retailers as discounted new stock in order to get sales moving. These can be a real bargain because discounted better quality tyres can last longer and wear better than cheap low cost tyres so you may save over the life of the tyre.

At the same time, prices of low cost tyres may be affected by the increasing cost of natural rubber which has been increasing for some time now and has already risen by 50% in the last six months alone. Natural rubber is used in low cost tyres just as in more expensive brands so costs will increase. Part of the problem is because poor weather conditions have affected the yield from natural rubber plantations whilst demand has increased in the Indian and Chinese economies.

One of the questions it’s worth asking is what do people really mean when they talk about low cost tyres? After all, for some people low cost tyres will mean the least amount they can possibly pay whilst for others it can mean paying less than they might have done before in order to save money. Others too might consider that low cost tyres are actually the tyres that cost them least in the long run so they may be looking out for the least wear and highest mileage to save in the longer term.

So remember that low cost tyres don’t have to be the cheapest you can buy but should certainly be the best value for money. A good tip is to go online and look for your low cost tyres on the website of a leading retailer like Tyre Shopper (www.tyre-shopper.co.uk). Most retailers rank their products in groups like ‘bargain buy’ or ‘best value’ and you should be able to find something in your price range. Some low cost tyres are actually budget brands made by leading manufacturers.