Dealers across the country are seeing more winter tires in their stores to meet consumer demand in 2015, according to data from the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC).
Many provinces have experienced significant growth in shipments, with a 35 per cent increase in Manitoba, a 25 per cent increase in Ontario and 14 per cent more in the Atlantic provinces, said TRAC. Nationally, tire shipments are up six per cent, found the association.
TRAC attributes much of the growth to government measures and industry and stakeholder education.
Outside of Quebec, where winter tires are the law, other provinces have been implementing measures to help increase consumer demand for winter tires.
In Manitoba, which showed the greatest increase, TRAC noted that the provincial government implemented a low-interest winter tire financing program which is continuing for 2015 and 2016.
The Ontario provincial government also recently introduced a mandatory insurance discount program for drivers who use winter tires.
According to a 2014 survey, TRAC found only half of Canadian motorists — outside of Quebec — use winter tires.
The data is part of a Winter tire Report released by TRAC aimed at supporting consumer education efforts by government and industry stakeholders.
