Ultra High Performance Tire Market Trends

Ultra High Performance Tire Market Scenario

Ultra High Performance Tire Market is projected to be worth USD 31.19 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 11.36% during the forecast period (2022 - 2030). , The market was valued at USD 11.14 billion in 2021.

Ultra-high performance (UHP) tires are designed for driving enthusiasts who want to make the most of their luxury or sport vehicles by offering optimized handling capabilities. Ultra-high performance (UHP) tires are meant to handle a greater horsepower, enhance high-performance driving, and provide a sporty, responsive drive with outstanding traction levels. The distinguishing characteristic of an UHP tire is not just the size, which is 18 inches in diameter or larger, but also its superior competency in the most demanding of situations. An ultra-high-performance tire is denoted by a max speed rating of 149 mph or more.

The US ultra high performance tire market is capital intensive, and the level of technical expertise required for product development and manufacturing is high. The presence of well-known tire companies, such as Michelin, Bridgestone Corporation, Pirelli, and Continental AG, with their strong brand image, make it difficult for the new entrants to create a brand value and achieve economies of scale. Moreover, established tire manufacturers have vast distribution networks and geographic reach, giving them a competitive advantage. Furthermore, the established market players are venturing into new regions through strategic partnerships and joint ventures with local suppliers to increase their market share, reducing the potential profit margins for new entrants.

The global ultra high performance tire market is expected to grow at ~11.36% CAGR during the forecast period.

Over the past decade, the prices of crude oil per barrel have been rapidly increasing, and the availability of crude oil is decreasing with each passing day. The ongoing wars in the Middle East have reduced oil supply from oil-producing countries, leading to the recent surge in oil prices. As per the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), in the 2nd quarter of 2020, the spot prices for crude oil per barrel increased by around 58% compared to 2019.

Thus, the increment in crude oil prices is driving the large population pool to shift its preference towards fuel-efficient options. The major tire companies are working to capitalize on this opportunity and are manufacturing tires that are specially designed and developed for achieving low rolling resistance, decreasing fuel consumption, and increasing vehicle mileage. For instance, Bridgestone developed its ECOPIA tire series to minimize energy wastage and reduce fuel consumption by up to two gallons every month. Moreover, it has developed a tire, which would provide a 25% reduction in tire rolling resistance in 2020. In 2017, the company developed a tire that offered a 19% reduction in rolling resistance.

The demand for tires is high in North America due to high consumer awareness and increasing supplier concentration. This has resulted in the increased availability of ultra-high performance (UHP) tires in the market. The demand for UHP tires in some parts of the US is currently limited due to the difference in raw material prices, restraining the growth of the ultra high performance tire market. However, consumer awareness is continuously increasing in such regions. Therefore, the impact of the increasing demand for fuel-efficient tires on the global ultrahigh performance tire market is expected to shift from moderate to high during the forecast period.

The multiple factors considered for the manufacturing process of ultra-high performance (UHP) tires include tire construction, the material compound, tread design, size/dimensions, and weight. The operational efficiency and reliability of these tires substantially depend upon the raw material or the compound used for its production. However, the rising raw material prices required to manufacture ultra-high performance (UHP) tires limit product growth during the forecast period.

Tire manufacturing companies are investing in developing tires that work efficiently with internal and external factors, such as temperature, road surface, humidity, and raw materials. Industry players import raw materials from foreign countries to maintain product quality and reliability and increase their customer base in the market. However, the rising tension in international trade is considerably affecting raw material prices. Countries, including the US and China, are some of the leading importers and exporters across the globe. The escalating trade disputes between the two countries is stimulating the price hike for certain raw materials required in manufacturing UHP tires.

Government authorities mandate specific duties and taxes on importing and exporting raw materials to support domestic suppliers and increase their revenue generation. Moreover, the increasing transportation costs and labor costs are also raising the raw material prices, further restricting the growth of the ultra high performance tire market. Some of the raw materials, including rubber required for product manufacturing, are also sensitive to the changes in climatic conditions. They require a specific type of packaging to maintain their quality, which also adds to the final product prices. Thus, increasing raw material prices is expected to restrict the growth of the ultra high performance tire market during the forecast timeframe.

The global ultra high performance tire market has been segmented on the basis of tire type, demand category, vehicle type, and region.

Based on tire type, the global market is divided into summer, all-season, and winter. The all-season segment is expected to hold the largest share of the market. The all-season segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the study period as these tires are designed to provide year-round traction (even in light snow) through tread designs and compounds that remain more flexible in the cold weather to help blend all-season traction with excellent handling and high-speed abilities.

Based on demand category, the global market is divided into OEM and replacement. The replacement segment is expected to hold the larger market share and it is expected to grow at the faster rate during the forecast period. Replacement tires are meant for all-around performance on any vehicle that they are sized and rated to fit. They often place particular emphasis on one or two performance attributes that consumer research has identified to be especially vital to end-user motorists.

Based on vehicle type, the ultra high performance tire market is segmented into sports cars, SUV/ MUV, and light truck. The sports cars segment is expected to dominate the global market during the forecast period. Several brands in the market are catering high-speed sports cars to the professional as well as consumer segments. With an increased sale of the sports car, the demand for ultra-high-performance tires is also growing from the OEMs and aftermarket (replacement) segments.

The global ultra high performance tire market is expected to grow at ~11.36% CAGR during the forecast period.

Market Segmentation

As per the latest data from the US Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), in 2020, the demand for high-performance tires in the US continued to increase in the replacement market, where shipments of tires H-rated and higher exceeded 100 million units for the first time. However, 2019 saw its share of activity on the mergers-and-acquisition, with Monro Inc. and Bridgestone Tires being the key players in the retail and commercial sectors, respectively. For instance, Monro Inc. added 102 retail locations throughout the US in a dozen separate deals, spending more than USD 100 million to acquire businesses with more than USD 120 million in annualized sales potential. The largest of these deals was purchasing 40 Certified Tire & Service Centers retail locations and one distribution center in California in May 2019.

The shift at OE also is reflected in the breakdown of OE tire sizes, where the ten most popular sizes now are all 17-, 18-, 19- or 20-inch rim diameter sizes. The players such as Goodyear and Michelin are making strides with OE manufacturers for supplying high-performance OE tires to the US assembly plants of the Japanese car makers such as Honda North America Inc., Mazda (North America) Inc., Nissan North America Inc., Subaru of America, and Toyota Motor Mfg. These manufacturers then use these tires in their SUVs/CUVs and light trucks. Additionally, the US winter/traction tires shipments rebounded slightly in 2020 after a three-year skid, accounting for approximately 2.1% of all replacement tire shipments. This would create an opportunity for ultra-high performance (UHP) tires to be used in cars and light trucks during winter.

Based on region, the ultra high performance tire market is segmented into Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, the Middle East&Africa, and South America. Asia-Pacific has one of the largest automotive aftermarkets, owing to the rapid growth of the automotive industry in countries such as China, India, and Japan. The increased demand for tires in the region can be credited to factors, such as the growing construction activities, industrial development, and the rise in demand for fuel-efficient technologies. The region boasts of the presence of several raw material suppliers, low labor costs, and favorable government guidelines in countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea. These countries also have a strong focus on agriculture, and hence the demand for UHP tires is also expected to be high.

China is the leading market in terms of vehicle sales across the globe. The country is one of the most attractive markets for tire manufacturers who are investing in forming joint ventures with local vehicle brands. China is one of the leading countries in terms of the consumption of electric vehicles, owing to the introduction of the “Automobile Mid and Long-Term Development Plan” and the presence of BAIC, D, and JAC. The tire manufacturing companies are working to develop tires specifically for electric vehicles. For instance, in 2016, Hankook Tire developed its Enfren Eco tire, which combines a special silica compound and structural design to minimize energy loss and optimize fuel efficiency for electric vehicles. However, the automotive industry in India is well-positioned in terms of contribution to the overall GDP due to continuous growth in the demand for passenger cars. India is one of the key exporters of vehicles in Asia-Pacific due to its high production rate, low labor cost, growing ease-of-doing business rating, position as an emerging economy, and globally recognized engineering capabilities. The increasing awareness about vehicle emission and the shifting consumer preference towards fuel-efficient technologies for transportation are some of the factors that are expected to drive the adoption of UHP tires during the forecast period.

Disruption in the supply chain due to COVID-19 has significantly affected the ultra high performance tire market. Government-imposed lockdowns have affected the global market as manufacturers have halted the manufacturing process, mainly due to the unavailability of skilled labor owing to social distancing regulations.

Key Players

The key players operating in the global ultra high performance tire market are MICHELIN (France), Bridgestone Corp. (Japan), The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. (US), Continental AG (Germany), Hankook Tire and Technology Co. Ltd. (South Korea), Toyo Tire Corporation (Japan), Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (Japan), Pirelli (Italy), Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. (US), and Kumho Tire Co. Inc. (South Korea).

Intended Audience

• Government and Research Organizations


• Consulting Companies in the Ultra High Performance Tire Market


• Raw Material Suppliers


• Research Consultants


• Investors and Shareholders


• Automotive Tire Manufacturers and Suppliers


• Tire Manufacturers/Suppliers


• Heavy-Duty Truck OEMs


• Technology Providers


• Ultra High Performance Tire Manufacturers for Automobiles


• Traders, Distributors, and Suppliers of Tires for Automobile