Dated: 27 November 2009
Hard up motorisits burn their bridges with big brand rubber
Drivers of traditional family car brands such as Citroen, Vauxhall and Renault are among the hardest hit by the credit crunch, according to a study of premium tyre sales.
Latest sales figures from leading online tyre retailer Blackcircles.com show that like-for-like purchases of premium brands by these drivers have plummeted in the past 12 months, with more budget-friendly makes collecting the spoils.
Japanese manufacturer Mazda, famed in the UK for its range of roadsters, saw the biggest fall among its drivers, with premium tyre sales falling by a massive 33 per cent compared to this time last year. Owners of luxury marques like BMW, Mercedes and Audi are not immune either, as drivers reduced their spending by up to 15 per cent over the period.
The biggest winners are drivers of so-called superminis such as Smart cars, who have actually increased their spending on premium tyres by an incredible 17 per cent.
Mike Welch, managing director of Blackcircles.com, says: As the recession begins to bite, its inevitable that families are cutting back on premium products in an effort to tighten their belts.
However its interesting to see that more drivers of superminis often younger city dwellers without children - are somehow finding money to spend on their vehicles.
Blackcircles.com has recorded a 50% growth in its sales during this period, with visitors to its website also up by 48% in the past year.