Winter tyres are dominating the motor industry this autumn amid dismal weather forecasts for the coming months and increased exposure for the tyres.
It has been well documented that demand for winter tyres outstripped supply last year and the same is expected to happen again this year, despite the majority of manufacturers ramping up production for the cold weather rubbers.
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We’ve rounded up what the major manufacturers are doing.
Audi winter tyres
The German manufacturer is offering sets of winter tyres for almost all of its models in the UK, with prices starting from £550 including VAT and fitment.
Audi is also offering customers a complete winter tyre and alloy wheel set with prices starting from £792, again including fitment and VAT.
The tyres and wheels are available from all Audi centres in the UK, some of which will provide storage facilities for summer tyres and wheels at an additional cost.
BMW winter tyres
BMW has revised its winter tyre programme for 2011, stressing the importance of changing your tyres to suit the season.
It’s offering its winter tyre and wheel deal alongside a storage option which allows users to store their old tyres and wheels over the winter months at an additional cost of £30.
Prices for a new set of winter tyres and wheels from the German manufacturer start from £700 on the 1 Series however they vary depending on the model and don’t include fitment.
Suzuki winter tyres
Suzuki’s winter tyre programme covers its entire range and the Japanese manufacturer offers a ready-to-fit wheel or full winter tyre set.
Prices start from £106 per tyre for the Alto city car while wheel trims can also be thrown in for an extra £33.
Prices unsurprisingly rise as you go up Suzuki’s range and peak at a price of £225 per tyre on the Grand Vitara.
Prices exclude fitment but include VAT.
Volkswagen winter tyres
Volkswagen is offering winter tyres and wheels on every model in its range alongside a fitment offer.
Prices for fully fitted winter tyres start from £250 for the smallest tyres available however prices increase alongside the size and model.
Wheel-and-tyre sets are also available however they are more expensive at £725 for a full set – that price includes VAT and fitment of the 15- to 19-inch alloy wheels.
Volkswagen is also looking to address the winter tyre storage issue by offering a set of four tyre/wheel storage bags, priced at £25 for four.
Saab winter tyres
Saab is offering an alloy and winter tyre pack with prices starting from £559 for a full set, including VAT.
The price does not cover fitment charges or storage options however some Saab centres will provide storage options.
As well as offering the more commonly heard of winter tyres, the Swedish manufacturer is also offering a range of AutoSock Snow Socks for £54.95 including VAT.
They are lightweight and reusable socks which are fitted around the wheel to provide more grip in difficult driving conditions.
Vauxhall winter tyres
While winter tyres can be fitted on Vauxhall models, the GM-owned manufacturer has opted to promote its ‘more efficient’ snow socks instead.
Vauxhall’s reusable snow socks are priced from around £50 however that figure will rise to £139 if tyres are bigger than 18-inches.
Porsche winter tyres
Porsche is one of the only high-end manufacturers to promote its winter tyre programme.
The German sportscar manufacturer is offering winter wheel and tyre sets with prices starting from £1,500 including VAT and fitment, which, as well as improve safety, also improve performance according to Porsche.
Porsche’s tyres are designed specifically for Porsche models and have been tailored towards the manufacturer’s chassis control system.
In terms of design, the wheels have also been designed to suit the appearance of each Porsche model.
Porsche owners can get their winter tyres and wheels fitted at Porsche centres across the UK and there is also an option to store summer tyres, too.
Mercedes-Benz winter tyres
Mercedes is offering a range of premium winter tyres to its owners from brands like Continental, Pirelli and Michelin.
As part of its Cold Weather Programme, Mercedes is offering a complete range of winter tyres for all models in its range alongside fitment and a tyre management service.
Prices start from £999 for a full set of Cold Weather tyres and wheels on the E 220 CDI and vary between models, including fitment.
Mercedes also offers a storage option for summer tyres while winter tyres are in use.
Skoda winter tyres
Skoda has undercut the majority of manufacturers with a limited time offer to fit winter tyres for just £62 per tyre.
Seat, Peugeot and Ford winter tyres
Seat embarked on a promotion push expounding the benefits of winter tyres earlier in the year – taking a number of models to ice rinks to illustrate the improved handling and control of cars equipped with winter tyres on ice.
However the Spanish manufacturer is yet to launch its own line of winter tyres, wheels and fitment services, instead it is urging motorists to use seasonal tyres throughout the year.
Peugeot has followed a similar route in taking the 3008 crossover to an indoor snow centre, highlighting the improvements of a car with winter tyres and the company’s Grip Control function on snow-covered slopes.
Ford has also championed the benefits of winter tyres but again has failed to offer a winter tyre supply or fitment programme, again choosing to champion the improved safety of winter tyres generally, instead.