Everything in the automotive industry seems to be getting bigger these days, even the wheels. Starting in 2020 Since 2000, including cars and SUVs In passenger vehicles, tires with diameters of 18 to 22 and widths of 245/255 mm wide have achieved double-digit growth, while the share of smaller tires is rapidly declining.

The share of 12-inch wheels declines from 6.3% in 2020 to 1.2% in 2023, while the share of 17-inch wheels rises from 9.5% to 12.7%. The percentage of 18-inch wheels increases from 1.3 percent to 6.5 percent over the same period, according to Jato Dynamics.

One of the factors influencing this change is the body types of currently popular vehicles. SUVs and MPVs now account for 55% of the passenger car market Additionally, there has been a surge in demand for wider tires (for better performance and ground clearance) on these vehicles. SUVs account for only 29% of the passenger car market from 2018 to 2019. Experts say that the requirements of the automotive industry are closely linked to tire markings.

Interestingly, the wider the tires, the less fuel efficient they are. However, “as the socio-economic landscape changes, so do consumer buying criteria. Today’s car buyers are more focused on performance, design and technology rather than fuel efficiency,” said Sudershan Gusain Shashank Srivastava, Maruti Suzuki. The aesthetics and performance of the vehicle also play an important role, says a technical marketer at Bridgestone India. “In the last two to three years, some models have changed their tire size from 13 to 14. wheel sizes range from 15 to 14, 15 and 16 inches,” he said.

Ravi Bhatia, President, Jato Dynamics “Indian consumers are increasingly aware and recognizing the role of tires in the performance and appearance of their vehicles and are willing to invest in products with better handling, fuel efficiency, comfort, safety and aesthetics.” I am willing,” he said. Paying a higher price for tires. ‘

Additionally, as electric vehicle speeds increase and larger rim diameters become more prevalent, tire makers and OEMs are paying more attention to the higher torque requirements that help increase vehicle mileage.