Sudbury shop owners plagued by winter tire shortage
Supply issues from manufacturers are causing problems for tire store owners in Sudbury and across the north.
With the first snowfall comes a rush to tire stores like Fountain Tire in Sudbury.
Its owner, Ron Kotila, has been busy trying to meet customer demand but said he can’t meet it for certain tire brands.
"It’s not so much across the board but certain lines. I’ve noticed that a lot of manufacturers have cut down production on slow slow-moving and they are focusing on tire sizes and tire lines that are more popular and they can sell a lot more of and obviously make more money on," Kotila said.
While he admits there’s been a small price increase in his tire inventory, the cost of tire rims has exploded.
"There have been multiple 20 per cent increases over the summer. So, people are getting a little bit of sticker shock when they come in looking for something they’ve purchased in the past for other vehicles and the price has gone up drastically," he said.
At Sudbury Custom Auto, shop owner Mike Kalicki is also having significant supply issues with tires.
"The supply chain has definitely been affected," Kalicki said. "We’re noticing a lot of inventory numbers being low even at the beginning of the season. So, it makes us worried for when the snowfalls finally hit and the winter rush finally kicks into gear that there’s really not going to be a whole lot of selection for our customers."
He normally stocks up on his winter tires in October but has experienced shortages from brand makers as well.
He said, "we’re seeing shortages all across the line, whether it’s steel wheels, aluminum wheels, all brands of winter tires. Pretty much every line has been affected."
Both retail tire outlets urge drivers to get their winter tires changed over or purchased before the inclement weather arrives
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.