Plentiful and profitable. (Performance Tires)(includes related article) (Performance)

Performance tires are everywhere.

There were 51.5 million performance tires shipped at the replacement level last year, according to Modern Tire Dealer statistics. Five years ago, that total was only 40 million.

Reasons for the increase are plentiful:

* consumer preference;

* an increase in the overall replacement passenger tire market (a record 161 million tires in 1992);

* advances in technology, which combine performance capability with all-season characteristics (example: touring tires);

* the integration of tire performance into automobile design.

Who buys performance tires? How do you sell them? Dealers surveyed by Modern Tire Dealer will answer these questions -- and more.

Survey results

MTD's 1993 Dealer Survey on Performance Tires reveals that the performance market is still profitable for you, but may be peaking.

Respondents said performance tires represent 27% of their total tire sales. Last year, that total was 29%.

Performance tire pricing is also stagnant. On average, selling prices for speed-rated performance tires are: S -- $63.52; T -- $71; H -- $91.10; V -- $138.67; and Z -- $202.89.

According to dealers, the profile of the performance tire buyer of today is as follows: …