Less Rubber Hits the Road

Between you and the road there is a fine barrier of rubber and air. Without it the ride would be one of sheer abuse. Unfortunately those supple rubber tires may become harder to come by, or a little more expensive, as rubber supplies have dwindled.  Experts estimate that rubber supply will lag demand for the next few years as demand is at its highest in decades.  Drought and flooding of the rubber tree plantations in Indonesia and Thailand have affected supplies of natural rubber.  The tire industry consumes 60% of the world's rubber supply and many of those manufacturers are passing on the higher cost to the consumer. Be prepared for higher tire prices.