There is a shortage of almost everything these days: semiconductors, labour, fuel (in the UK) and now winter tires too. Due to the high transport rates and new French legislation, the stock in the Netherlands has never been so low.
If you want to equip your car with all-season or winter tires this year, you may be missing out. In the past ten years, the stock of winter tires in the Netherlands has never been this low, according to research by the tire portal Tires in Stock. The main reason is the skyrocketing container rates since April, as a result of which importers have ordered less stock.
Mandatory winter tires in French mountain areas for the first time
In addition, for the first time winter tires are compulsory in the French mountain areas, as has been the case in Germany for some time. This ensures that huge quantities of all-season and winter tires are transported from Germany and the Netherlands to France. The stock in France has doubled in the past three weeks. According to Tires in Stock, winter tires for vans in the Netherlands in particular are now starting to become scarce.
All-season tires more popular in the Netherlands than winter tires
The prices of tires have also risen sharply, the new stock is sometimes up to 50 percent more expensive. It is expected that more all-season tires than winter tires will be sold in the Netherlands this year for the first time. If all-season tires bear the so-called 3-peak mountain symbol, they may also be used in countries where winter tires are compulsory.