Update on the Rubber Shortage of 2022

Why is the auto industry facing a rubber shortage? Due to rising demand, supply chain issues that include labor shortages, port congestion, and warehouse availability, and environmental factors that are limiting rubber growth, the auto industry is facing a tire shortage that could last into 2023.

If your fleet vehicles will require replacement tires in the coming months, and especially if you need winter and snow tires for cold weather regions, you can follow these simple planning measures.

Take inventory

The first step is to assess your tire needs for the near future. If you have a supply of tires on hand, what does the inventory look like – what kinds and sizes of tires do you have, and how many? Then analyze your fleet data to understand how driver behavior will affect your rate of tire replacement.

While right now may not be the time to invest in an all-weather tire solution or winter tires for the whole fleet, you can better understand which vehicles will actually need new tires in the near future.

Plan Accordingly

Are rubber prices going up? Where there’s a shortage, there are rising costs. A preventive mindset will go a long way when it comes to crafting your tire strategy.

You can add more emphasis to tire health in your scheduled maintenance strategy, based on your fleet’s vehicle types:

• Cars and light-duty vehicles – with lead times for tire deliveries extending three-to-six months, plan to secure tires earlier than your usual replacement interval.
• Medium and heavy-duty trucks – conduct yard checks to survey tread depth and lean on your tire affiliate to assist in checking inventory availability.

While not a fit for all fleets, in certain regions where tire chains are permitted, their application can potentially be expanded to additional vehicles for the winter season.

When it comes to mission-critical vehicles, get in touch with your suppliers or connect with your fleet partners for support in checking product availability in your areas.

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