POOLE-based fleet management provider i247 Group says SME fleets should shift their fleet management focus on tyre cost to using real-world data analysis.
Such a strategic move could unlock substantial savings on Service, Maintenance and Repair (SMR) budgets, potentially exceeding £1 million believes i247 Group.
With experience maintaining over a million vehicles on UK roads, i247 Group emphasises that choosing the right tyre based on specific vehicle and operational characteristics can lead to remarkable cost reductions. In a recent tyre spend analysis, the company identified potential savings of over £1 million for one of its clients.
By analysing data on fleet operating behaviours, including payload and driving style, i247 Group has determined that these factors significantly influence which tyre best suits each individual fleet. Examining fleet tyre data and metrics, such as average mileage on old tyres, damage rates, and average days since last change, allows for a comprehensive assessment of tyre performance.
“Data is absolutely key to creating an optimal fleet tyre policy. It’s so important for SME fleets to think broadly, rather than just picking a generic premium tyre or a particular rebated brand. Each brand has its own strengths which can make a significant impact on performance. We want fleet managers to think beyond tyre unit price point and think about whole life cost. Our customers have been blown away by the savings they can make just by selecting the right tyre.”
David Legg, Director of Tyres at i247 Group Tweet
A recent i247 Group case study, which involved a 1,400-vehicle delivery fleet, revealed a potential tyre cost saving of £1.03 million over five years, solely through selecting the most suitable tyre.
The chosen tyres demonstrated resilience to stop-start driving and frequent kerb mounting, resulting in a projected 28% reduction in tyre replacements compared to the next best premium brand.
Beyond procurement cost savings, i247 Group also highlights additional advantages of fitting the right fleet tyres. Reduced tyre changes and failures contribute to increased vehicle uptime and decreased mobile fitter callouts. Moreover, from an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) perspective, utilising fewer tyres aligns with business sustainability objectives.
Read More On Reducing Tyre Maintenance Costs
The i247 Group launched a White Paper on the changes happening in the tyre industry – and how SME fleets could adapt to these changes. Click here to read more.

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