Bridgestone, ETB launch premium tire subscription scheme in UK

Warwick, UK – Bridgestone Corp. and its UK aftermarket services subsidiary ETB Autocentres have launched an all-inclusive monthly tire subscription service for motorists in the UK.

Called Mobox, the subscription offers tire, full warranty and other premium vehicle-related services for a flat monthly fee, starting from £7 (€7.70) per month, Bridgestone announced 20 July.

According to Bridgestone, packages cover "main premium tire brands" and provide customers with access to a central Mobox web-platform, from which they can manage their subscriptions online. 

Available brands currently include Bridgestone, Michelin, Pirelli, Continental, Goodyear & Dunlop tires.

The scheme is initially available in five pilot stores prior to rolling out across all 31 ETB network centres.

The pilot depots, Bridgestone told ERJ, include ETB stores in Chippenham, Cheltenham and Worcester and two Britannia Tyres stores in Coventry and Bristol.

Bridgestone said the “unique” offering combined its industry expertise with the opportunities presented by macro-economic and societal trends.

The new initiative is also expected to enable ETB to identify the challenges consumers face as demand shifts from products to services. 

In this context, Bridgestone said, Mobox enables motorists to "experience tires as a service." 

Basic packages include new premium tires, fitting and full warranty for tire related damage, as well as additional vehicle-related services such as tire checks, rotation and wheel alignment."

Under the warranty, customers who incur a puncture or any other kind of tire damage can have their tire repaired or replaced free of charge. 

Customers will also have the option to adapt their packages to include extra products and services, such as MOTs and services.  

“The growing global popularity for the service economy provides us with a great opportunity to diversify what we offer to customers and bring added convenience,” said Bridgestone VP for North Region, Andrea Manenti.

Mobox, he said, is “a simple and affordable alternative to our more traditional services.”

According to ETB Autocentres retail director Paul Nunn the Mobox monthly fee is fixed in the first year and is decreased to a lower flat fee in the second year.
 
“We hope that the flexibility and convenience that Mobox provides will resonate with motorists and that this might be the beginning of a new way of purchasing and maintaining tires,” he added.

The Japanese tire & rubber company acquired Worcester-based ETB – which includes Exhaust Tyres Batteries and Britannia Tyres – in September 2018 as part of a strategy to expand its retail footprint in the UK. 

Established as a family business 30 years ago, EBT currently employs 265 and claims to have over 10,000 loyal customers a month.