BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - One of the area's largest tire shops said there isn't a concern about winter tire availability locally despite recent regulation in Canada and production impacts due to the pandemic.
Quebec government officials announced that winter tires are mandatory on all vehicles until March 15, according to Collision Repair Mag.
"That has put a projected pressure on winter tire stock across the country," Robert Clark, Dunn Tire's Managing Director of Retail Operations, said. "We haven't seen the impact here locally and I don't think coronavirus or COVID has had any significant impact whatsoever on the winter tire production, at least not that we're seeing."
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which has a location in Tonawanda, also told WBEN that there were "production adjustments" nationally with winter tires due to the pandemic. However, Sumitomo said the pandemic impacted the demand and that their tire production is on schedule with no impact by the pandemic.
Dunn Tire buys their snow tires a year in advance, meaning they're fully stocked this year. He also said if there is an impact due to coronavirus or if the Canadian government's mandate, the industry will likely respond quickly.
What's the difference between a winter tire and a regular tire? Clark said winter tires are made from a different rubber compound that is intended to operate below 40 degrees.
"The all-season tire will start to stiffen up typically around 45 degrees and certainly before 40 degrees, you start to lose the capabilities of the rubber compound itself which shows up in poor traction and your stopping distances," Clark said.
Clark said there hasn't been much of a demand currently for winter tires, but he expects it to increase as more snow arrives in Western New York.
