Run - Flat Market

Run-Flat Market

With the advanced development of run-flat technology and dedication of a few car manufacturers to the technology, run-flat tires have seen a dramatic increase in volume. While the market is only 3.2 million tires, the unit volume has increased 100% over the past 10 years. (See Figure 1 for run-flat tire market size and segmentation.)

Runflats-Figure-1
Figure 1: Run-Flat Tire Market (Yokohama Tire market segmentation based on USTMA data).

The touring segment, with H- and V-speed rated tires, comprised around 47% of the total run-flat tire market in 2019, followed by CUV/highway tires with around 19% of the market. (See Figure 1 for run-flat tire market size and segmentation.)

Without question, BMW has most embraced and advanced run-flat technology in its automobiles (see Figure 2) among OEMs. Starting in 2000, BMW debuted the stylish Z8 with a staggered set of 18-in. run-flat tires. Soon after, in 2002, the Mini brand launched with 100% run-flat tires featured on the Mini Cooper models with 16- and 17-in. rims. By 2004, BMW featured run-flat tires on the 3, 5, 6 and 7 Series automobiles, as well as the Z4. Lexus was also out of the gates early with a run-flat fitment on the SC Coupe in 2000 and has followed with run-flat options on many vehicles since. And, of course, Chevrolet’s Corvette was a groundbreaker, offering run-flat tires as an option in 1994 and as standard equipment beginning in 1997. In 2019, many auto manufacturers offered vehicles with run-flat tires, but BMW and Mercedes-Benz dominate market share.

Runflats-Figure-2
Figure 2: 2019 OE Run-Flat Tire Fitment by OEM (Source: IHS Markit).

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