Run-flats ‘not for cheap cars’

RUN-FLAT technology is still too expensive for cheaper cars, despite it reaching a turning point worldwide, tyre maker Pirelli says.

Pirelli Australia deputy managing director Cesar Alarcon said the tyres that allow a driver to keep rolling despite getting a puncture were still a long way from becoming an affordable option on cheap family fare, including the Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon and Toyota Aurion.

“I don’t see it happening anytime soon,” Mr Alarcon said.

“The fact that it (run-flat tyres) weighs more means it costs more as well.

“Clearly we cannot expect run-flats to go on a cheap car because it would not proportionately justify the price.

“It’s a matter of complication as well, because if you don’t have the room in the boot to fit a tyre, then you need to fit a run-flat tyre - you can’t go without a spare,” he said.

According to Mr Alarcon, the premium end of the tyre market in Australia was considered as any wheel size above 17 inches in diameter.

This market had grown by nine per cent in Australia last year, he said.

Run-flat tyres contain specially strengthened sidewalls that can take the weight of a car even when the tread is punctured, allowing the car to drive to its destination or the nearest tyre retailer. Run-flat tyres typically last up to 300km, depending on the brand.

However, unlike a conventional tyre, run-flats cannot be fixed and need to be replaced – often costing up to 20 per cent more than a conventional tyre.

Mr Alarcon said the strengthened sidewalls meant run-flats were more expensive to make – a fact only realised by some owners when they shopped around for a replacement hoop.

“Clearly run-flat tyres are more expensive because they weigh more – they’ve got more rubber and technology,” he said.

However, he said tyres were not as expensive as they could have been.

“Last year we have seen a fight in the price of (premium) tyres,” Mr Alarcon said. “There has been a reduction in the whole industry of the price of tyres.

“This is due to new technology being available, but also the fact that there is also everyone trying to compete for that (premium tyre) segment.”

The new-tyre market in Australia was worth $5 billion last year, according to data released by economics research group IBISWorld.