So, what’s in it for fleet managers? For starters, this service promises to save time and improve the total cost of ownership. By outsourcing tire management, fleet managers can focus on other operational efficiencies. This means less downtime, fewer vehicle breakdowns, reduced fuel consumption, and more.
The benefits are backed by impressive pilot program results. In the U.S., a last-mile delivery fleet saw an 80% reduction in emergency vehicle breakdowns and completely eliminated the need for customer-owned tire inventory. Meanwhile, a European commercial fleet experienced nearly a 50% reduction in breakdowns and a 4% decrease in fuel consumption compared to the previous year.
“Goodyear’s tires-as-a-service offering is an evolution of our Total Mobility offering, providing a new solution for customers who require end-to-end tire management,” said Gregory Boucharlat, vice president of Goodyear Tires-as-a-Service. “We’ve already demonstrated that leveraging this solution can help fleet managers realize untapped value, and we look forward to expanding it to new customers.”
Let’s break down the key features of this pay-per-mileage subscription:
Premium Tires with Intelligence: Goodyear equips its top-tier tires with advanced tire intelligence technology, generating proactive insights to keep operations running smoothly.
24/7 Monitoring: Continuous data collection from every tire ensures constant vigilance and timely alerts.
Proactive Service Coordination: Managing alerts and service coordination to handle issues before they escalate.
Halo® Tire Inflator: This self-powered automatic tire inflation system, provided through an exclusive agreement with Aperia Technologies, maintains optimal tire pressure, boosting fuel efficiency and reducing wear.
Extensive Service Network: Access to Goodyear’s extensive network means technicians are always on hand for maintenance and emergencies.
Michelle Ross, head of Sales and Marketing for Goodyear Tires as a Service, emphasized the benefits: “By allowing Goodyear to take care of their tire program with this all-inclusive offering, fleet managers can focus on improving efficiencies elsewhere in their operations. This end-to-end tire monitoring and service offering can help fleets reduce their total cost of ownership by increasing vehicle uptime, reducing the frequency of tire-related breakdowns, and lowering fuel consumption by maintaining proper inflation levels.”
This service addresses a significant pain point in the industry. According to the American Transportation Research Institute’s 2023 report, fleets spent nearly $1.4 million on tires over 13.6 billion miles driven in 2022. Moreover, tires were the second-most common cause of out-of-service violations in the 2023 Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance International Roadcheck, with 3,172 violations.
The Goodyear program also includes customizable alerts for better service coordination and access to roadside assistance and preventative maintenance through their extensive network. This holistic approach means fleets can look forward to not just immediate cost savings but also long-term operational benefits.
Of course, such a comprehensive service doesn’t come without a commitment. Pricing for the monthly subscription requires a longer-term arrangement, as Ross explained, making it a partnership for the long haul. But for fleets looking to reduce their total cost of ownership and improve efficiency, this could be a worthwhile investment.
In a world where uptime is crucial and every minute of downtime can cost dearly, Goodyear’s tires-as-a-service could be the next big step forward in fleet management. So, if you’re in the business of managing a fleet, it might be time to consider letting Goodyear take the wheel when it comes to tire management. Your bottom line—and your peace of mind—could depend on it.
