Bridgestone and ETB launch monthly tyre subscription service

Bridgestone and ETB Autocentres have announced the launch of an all-inclusive monthly tyre subscription service called MOBOX.

A MOBOX subscription offers new tyres, full warranty and other premium vehicle-related services from £7 a month and is initially available in five pilot stores prior to rolling out across 31 network centres.

Andrea Manenti, vice president for Bridgestone’s North Region, said: “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.

“MOBOX is a simple and affordable alternative to our more traditional services, and it’s fantastic to be in a position to offer it out to customers.”

Bridgestone and ETB Autocentres' push towards subscirption mirrors efforts in the automotive retail sector to promote an installment-based aftersales service.

Last summer BMW and Mini dealers launched a pay monthly service plan to customers through a new partnership with EMaC.

Bridgestone and ETB Autocentres' basic package includes new premium tyres, fitting and full warranty for tyre related damage, as well as additional vehicle-related services such as tyre checks, rotation and wheel alignment.

The warranty means that if MOBOX customers incur a puncture or any other kind of tyre damage, the tyre will be 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.

MOBOX packages cover main premium tyre brands and provide customers with access to the central MOBOX web-platform, from which they can easily manage their subscriptions online. All customers also have access to a multilingual call centre for customer support.

Paul Nunn, retail director at ETB Autocentres, said: “The beauty of MOBOX is that you know precisely how much you spend. The monthly fee is fixed in the first year and 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 tyres.”