HiQ Tyres & Autocare: Helping drivers choose better tyres

The sweet spot in any retail environment is to give the customer the option of a better product, save them money, and get them to come back because they’ve trusted your expert guidance.

Tyre retailing is no different. It is why HiQ Tyres & Autocare franchisees find that first-class servicing, combined with a range that allows customers to trade up to a better performing tyre, steadily improves the profitability of their branches.

Consider the mindset of a driver shopping for a new car. Evidence consistently shows that drivers are generally willing to spend more on upgrading to cars that offer greater safety, fuel efficiency, and performance. They will pay extra for 4WD cars, additional power, or a more energy-efficient powertrain. Yet when those same drivers enter a fast-fit garage, the sales journey more often takes them down the discount route and they are often guided straight towards the lowest-price option. Some garages miss the opportunity to turn the tyre choice into a customer benefit. This, according to HiQ Tyres & Autocare, is how to solve that problem.

How to boost profits through tyre sales

A HiQ Tyres & Autocare franchisee isn’t just selling tyres as part of its wide service offering. They see tyres as an opportunity to sell fuel efficiency, increased EV range, shorter stopping distances, or greater durability. Tyre ranges are complicated, but HiQ’s partnership with Goodyear gives franchisees access to a wide range of brands to suit all driving needs.

“Not all tyres are the same. The vast range of award-winning tyres that HiQ Tyres & Autocare franchisees can access at preferential prices enables them to drive profitability and customer satisfaction at the same time,” explains Paul Burton, Senior Retail Business Consultant, Goodyear.

“The car market is diverse and complex, and taking the customer on a sales journey that leads to the lowest price doesn’t necessarily mean the customer will be satisfied. For example, the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 delivers up to 20% more mileage than its closest competitor, equivalent to around 6,800 extra miles before reaching legal tread limits. Giving the customer the opportunity to choose the best tyre for them can save them money in the long run.”

Good advice can also keep customers safer. In the 2025 ADAC winter tyre test, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was able to stop a car 15 metres shorter than a set of budget tyres from 50 mph. Or, in other words, that car would be travelling at over 25 mph when the Goodyear-equipped car had stopped. “That’s a compelling conversation to have with a customer and an ideal opportunity to encourage them to invest more in safety and performance,” Paul added.

Once the tyres have been sold, there is an opportunity to boost workshop profitability by offering high-margin add-on services such as wheel alignment, tyre health checks, TPMS servicing, and seasonal safety inspections. These extras fit naturally into existing tyre or MOT appointments, requiring minimal extra time and can help ensure that customers leave feeling reassured and well supported. Alignment equipment, for example, quickly pays for itself through frequent use and helps prevent premature tyre wear, increasing customer satisfaction and retention. Tyre health checks also uncover genuine repair or replacement needs, helping customers make informed decisions while supporting additional sales.

For garage owners, these services allow each visit to become a broader opportunity to demonstrate care, expertise, and value to customers. “HiQ franchisees have access to expert training that helps them offer the right advice to encourage customers to trade up,” Burton concluded.

Are you ready to drive your business further? Find out how becoming a HiQ Tyres & Autocare franchisee could accelerate your growth. Visit HiQ’s Franchise With Us page to learn more and register your interest.