During the course of last year, more than a million new customers purchased tires through Delticom’s online portals. And for the first time in the company’s history, the number of repeat purchasers passed the half-million mark.

Online tire purchasing is a growing trend. In Delticom’s home market of Germany, national tire trade association the BRV reports initial estimates that suggest more than 10% of tires were bought online last year. The association predicts further growth in online purchases for the coming years and anticipates its proportion of total sales may reach 15 to 22% by 2020.

“Online tire purchasing is slowly but surely emerging from its niche,” said Delticom board member Philip von Grolman. “As Europe’s leading internet tire dealer, we profit from growing consumer readiness to buy tires on the internet. In 2013, more than a million new customers were convinced about the comprehensive range and service our online shops offer at affordable prices.” (Tyre & Accessories)