Temporary Spare Tires Market Size, CAGR & Forecast, 2025-2035

Temporary spare tires keep growing in value even as automakers delete them, because larger SUV rims and aftermarket kits lift spend per unit

At USD 2.37 Billion in 2025, the global temporary spare tires market is on course for USD 2.41 Billion in 2026 and USD 2.84 Billion by 2035, a modest 1.84% CAGR in Radial Insights' base case. Global light vehicle production rose to 93.1 million units in 2025 according to S&P Global Mobility, but a falling share of those vehicles leaves the factory with a spare.

The Temporary Spare Tires market covers T-type compact "space-saver" tires built for limited speed and distance, compact spare wheel and tire assemblies, collapsible spares and non-pneumatic temporary spares, sold to automakers for original fitment and to drivers through dealers and aftermarket kit suppliers. Full-size matching spares are excluded because they are counted in standard passenger and light truck tire markets. Tire sealant and compressor kits, run-flat tires and self-sealing tires are treated as substitutes, not as part of the market.

Substitution is the defining issue. Consumer Reports testing of vehicles since 2020, reported in January 2026, found 46% came with a space-saver spare, 9% with a full-size spare, 34% with a sealant and compressor kit and 4% with nothing. In February 2026 Cars.com counted 39 brands that do not offer a spare on more than 200 models and trims for 2026 and 2027.

Aftermarket spare kits are the fastest-growing segment at 4.26% a year, as owners of spare-less vehicles buy compact spares after the sale. Africa is the fastest-growing region at 3.30%, and Asia Pacific (APAC) holds 52.30% of 2025 value on the strength of Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Indian vehicle output.

Our model starts from vehicle production by region and body type, applies a spare-fitment rate that declines in North America and Europe and stays high in emerging markets, and adds aftermarket and replacement volumes. Average selling prices rise because compact spares for 18 to 20 inch SUV and EV brakes are larger and heavier than the 15 and 16 inch spares of a decade ago.

Larger rims, SUVs and aftermarket kits outgrow the shrinking sedan spare

Radial Insights segments the Temporary Spare Tires market by product type, rim size, vehicle type and sales channel. Growth ranges from 0.36% to 4.26% a year. We report CAGRs only and do not publish segment values or shares.

Compact spare assemblies grow faster than bare T-type tires at 2.34% a year

T-type compact spare tires, the core product supplied by Kumho, Maxxis, Bridgestone and other tire makers, grow at 1.62%. Complete compact wheel and tire assemblies grow faster at 2.34% because aftermarket buyers and optional-spare packages need the wheel, often with a jack and tools. Non-pneumatic temporary spares, which FMVSS 110 explicitly allows if marked for temporary use at no more than 80 km/h, grow at 3.95% from a very small base. Collapsible spares that need inflation before use grow just 0.48% as automakers drop them.

Spares for 20 inch and larger wheels grow fastest by rim size at 3.88%

Large brake packages on SUVs, pickups and EVs need bigger compact spares. The 20 inch and above group grows at 3.88% and the 18 to 19 inch group at 2.96%, while 16 to 17 inch spares grow at 1.71%. Spares of 15 inches and below, once the default for compact sedans, grow only 0.42% a year. Rivian's R2 compact spare, a T185/70-19 on a steel wheel, shows the direction of the product mix.

Electric and hybrid vehicles grow fastest by vehicle type at 3.62% despite low fitment rates

EVs and hybrids often ship without a spare to save weight and free space for batteries, yet their volumes rise so quickly that spare demand still grows at 3.62% a year, much of it through optional and accessory spares. SUVs and crossovers grow at 2.48% and pickups and light trucks at 2.05%. Sedans and hatchbacks trail at 0.36% as their share of production falls and more of them carry sealant kits.

Aftermarket spare kits are the fastest-growing channel at 4.26%

Aftermarket kit suppliers such as Modern Spare, which has sold model-specific compact spares since 2016, serve owners who discover after purchase that their car has no spare. That channel grows at 4.26% a year. Replacement spare tires, bought when an aged or used spare is retired, grow at 1.92%. OEM fitment, still the largest channel by far, grows at 1.48% because higher fitment in Asia offsets deletions in North America and Europe.

Market Trends

Automakers move spares from standard to optional

General Motors made an inflator kit standard on the 2026 Buick Encore GX in March 2025, with the 16 inch spare and jack becoming a USD 195 option and trim prices cut by USD 100. In June 2025 reports showed the 2026 Lincoln Aviator replacing its standard spare with an inflator and sealant kit on most trims, and in September 2025 Ford dropped the standard spare on several 2026 Maverick trims. The pattern is to keep the spare as a paid option rather than remove it entirely, which turns a standard part into an upsell.

Automakers cite weight, fuel economy and packaging

In the Cars.com review of February 2026, Nissan pointed to weight and fuel economy and said the vast majority of drivers never use their spare. Subaru said kits save weight, maximize cargo space or make room for batteries, and Hyundai cited weight and value. Subaru's Crosstrek Hybrid lost its spare to battery packaging, while Toyota keeps a compact spare standard on the RAV4 and a full-size spare on the Sequoia.

Accessory spares for EVs

Rivian lists a compact spare for its R2 in its Gear Shop at USD 755, a T185/70-19 on a steel wheel weighing 47 pounds, installed through service. Several electric pickups, including the Chevrolet Silverado EV and Ford F-150 Lightning, carry spares, while many crossovers rely on sealant. Accessory spares priced several times higher than an OE compact spare raise value per unit.

Spare-related recalls draw attention to fitment accuracy

NHTSA recall 25V912 in December 2025 covered 4,655 Nissan Rogue vehicles from model year 2026 that may carry a spare that does not match the placard size and pressure, a failure under FMVSS 110. In October 2025 Kia recalled 45 Telluride and Sorento units fitted with an incorrect spare that could impair ABS and traction control. These cases push automakers and suppliers to tighten spare specification and tracking.

Restraints and Challenges

Sealant and compressor kits displace spares

Kits weigh less, cost less and free cargo space, so they win in cost-driven and EV programs. Continental's ContiMobilityKit, for example, seals tread punctures up to 6 mm and supports driving up to 200 km at 80 km/h. We estimate kit substitution removes about 1.1 percentage points from the market's yearly growth in North America and Europe.

No regulation requires a spare

US rules do not mandate a spare at all. Under FMVSS 110 (49 CFR 571.110), a vehicle may carry a temporary spare and must list it on the placard, or state "none" if no spare is supplied. Without a mandate, each automaker decides model by model, and weight and fuel economy targets often win. When a spare is fitted, it must match the placard, as the NHTSA recall report for the 2026 Nissan Rogue shows.

Kits have limits that frustrate drivers

AAA found in 2017 that 28% of new models lacked a spare and that it had helped more than 450,000 members in a year whose cars had none, according to the AAA newsroom. Kits cannot fix sidewall damage, and AAA noted that kit sealant has a 4 to 8 year shelf life. This frustration supports aftermarket spare demand, but it also shows that many buyers never think about the spare until a flat.

Space and weight in EVs

Battery packs, underfloor electronics and front trunks leave little room for a spare well, and a 19 inch compact spare can weigh close to 50 pounds. EV makers trying to extend range have strong reasons to avoid that weight.

Growth Drivers

Vehicle production growth in Asia and other emerging markets

China produced 34.53 million vehicles in 2025, up 10.4% according to CAAM, and exported 7.10 million, up 21.1%. Global light vehicle output reached 93.1 million units in 2025, up 3.9% from 89.6 million in 2024, according to S&P Global Mobility data presented in March 2026. Automakers in China, India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa still fit compact spares on most models because road conditions, long distances and limited roadside assistance make a sealant kit a poor substitute. Kumho, Maxxis, Hankook and Chinese tire makers supply these programs in large volumes. We attribute about +1.0% of yearly market growth to emerging-market production, the largest positive driver.

Larger wheels and SUVs raise value per spare

SUVs and crossovers now dominate new vehicle sales in the US, Europe and China, and their brake packages need 17 to 20 inch spares. The 2026 Buick Encore GX optional spare is a 16 inch unit, while Rivian's R2 spare is a 19 inch T185/70-19, illustrating how size and price climb with vehicle class. A compact spare for a large SUV or EV can cost two to four times as much as a small sedan spare. Mix shift toward larger rims adds roughly +0.7 percentage points to value growth each year, even when unit volumes are flat.

Aftermarket and optional spare demand from spare-less vehicles

Every vehicle sold without a spare is a potential aftermarket buyer. Consumer Reports data reported in January 2026 showed 34% of vehicles tested since 2020 relied on a sealant kit, and Cars.com counted more than 200 models and trims with no spare available in February 2026. US new vehicle sales of about 16.3 million units in 2025, per Cox Automotive, keep adding to that pool. Companies such as Modern Spare sell model-specific compact kits, and automakers including GM and Rivian now sell spares as paid options or accessories. Dealers we interviewed said spare packages are among the easiest add-ons to sell at delivery once a buyer learns the car has none. This channel contributes close to +0.4% of annual growth, and its share of market value rises through 2035.

Opportunities

Lightweight and non-pneumatic temporary spares

Lighter compact spares using thinner constructions, aluminum or composite wheels, or non-pneumatic designs permitted under FMVSS 110 could answer automakers' weight objections and win back standard fitment on EVs.

Dealer and online spare packages

Model-specific spare kits with wheel, jack and tools, sold online or at the dealer at delivery, offer higher margins than OE supply. Suppliers that map fitment for every model and trim can capture owners of vehicles that left the factory with only a kit.

Asia Pacific (APAC) holds more than half of temporary spare tire value, and Africa is the fastest-growing region

Asia Pacific (APAC)

Asia Pacific (APAC) accounted for 52.30% of the market in 2025, about USD 1,239.51 Million, and we expect Asia Pacific to reach USD 1,565.14 Million by 2035 at a 2.36% CAGR. China's 34.53 million vehicles built in 2025 anchor demand, and Japanese, Korean and Indian automakers still fit compact spares on most models. Kumho, Hankook, Maxxis and Chinese tire makers are the main suppliers in Asia Pacific.

North America

North America held 19.60% of 2025 value, about USD 464.52 Million, and grows slowest at 0.60% to USD 493.16 Million by 2035. US new vehicle sales of about 16.3 million in 2025 support volume, but GM, Ford, Lincoln and others are moving spares to option lists in North America, while aftermarket kits gain.

Europe

Europe took 15.80% of 2025 value, about USD 374.46 Million, and grows at 0.90% to USD 409.56 Million in 2035. EU new car registrations rose 1.8% to about 10.82 million in 2025, with battery electric cars at 17.4% of sales, per ACEA, and European automakers rely heavily on sealant kits such as Continental's ContiMobilityKit.

Latin America

Latin America represented 6.40% of 2025 value, about USD 151.68 Million, and should reach USD 186.72 Million by 2035 at 2.10% a year. Brazil and Mexico build large numbers of compact cars and pickups, and poor road surfaces keep spare fitment high in Latin America.

Middle East

The Middle East held 3.70% of 2025 value, about USD 87.69 Million, and grows at 2.80% to USD 115.58 Million by 2035. Long desert drives and a high share of SUVs and pickups mean Middle East buyers expect a spare, often full-size, and dealers add compact spares where factory kits are fitted.

Africa

Africa accounted for 2.20% of 2025 value, about USD 52.14 Million, and is the fastest-growing region at 3.30% a year, reaching USD 72.14 Million by 2035. Vehicle assembly in South Africa, Morocco and Egypt, imported used vehicles and long distances between service points keep spare demand firm across Africa.

Recent Developments

• In February 2026, Cars.com reported that 39 brands offer no spare tire on more than 200 models and trims for the 2026 and 2027 model years, with Nissan, Subaru and Hyundai citing weight, fuel economy and packaging.

• In January 2026, consumer reporting on Consumer Reports testing showed that of vehicles tested since 2020, 46% had a space-saver spare, 9% a full-size spare, 34% a sealant and compressor kit and 4% nothing.

• In December 2025, Nissan recalled 4,655 model year 2026 Rogue vehicles under NHTSA campaign 25V912 because the spare may not match the size and pressure on the placard.

• In October 2025, Kia recalled 45 Telluride and Sorento vehicles fitted with an incorrect spare that could impair ABS and traction control, a failure under FMVSS 110.

• In September 2025, Ford dropped the standard spare on several 2026 Maverick trims in favor of an inflator and seal kit, keeping it standard on Tremor, FX4 and some hybrid models.

• In March 2025, General Motors made an inflator kit standard on the 2026 Buick Encore GX and turned the 16 inch spare and jack into a USD 195 option.

Tire makers supply OE compact spares while wheel makers and kit specialists capture the aftermarket

The Temporary Spare Tires market is concentrated at the OE level, where a handful of tire makers win multi-year spare programs, and fragmented in the aftermarket. Competition turns on weight, cost per unit, the ability to match each vehicle's brake clearance and load rating, and logistics into vehicle assembly plants. Sealant kit makers compete for the same space in the trunk.

OE tire suppliers

Kumho Tire sells the T121 and T131 temporary spare lines and supplies Korean and global automakers. Maxxis, the brand of Cheng Shin Rubber, offers the M9400 compact temporary spare and is a major supplier to Asian vehicle programs. Bridgestone supplies T-type spares to Japanese automakers, and Hankook and Nexen support Hyundai, Kia and other programs. These suppliers compete on light constructions that meet FMVSS 110 and regional rules at the lowest possible weight.

Wheel makers and assembly suppliers

Maxion Wheels and Topy Industries make steel wheels used for compact spares, and assemblers mount and balance spares for delivery to plants. Automakers such as Toyota keep spares standard on high-volume models like the RAV4, which sustains these supply chains.

Aftermarket and accessory spare sellers

Modern Spare has sold model-specific compact spare kits since 2016, covering Tesla, Corvette, BMW and other vehicles that ship without spares. Rivian sells an R2 compact spare for USD 755 through its Gear Shop, and General Motors sells optional spare packages on models such as the Buick Encore GX. Dealers told us these packages carry higher margins than any part of the OE spare business.

Substitute suppliers

Continental's ContiMobilityKit, Sumitomo Rubber Industries' IMS puncture repair system and Slime, owned by Illinois Tool Works, supply the sealant and compressor kits that replace spares in many new vehicles. Active Tools makes compressor and sealant kits for automakers. Their growth is the main limit on spare demand, and some suppliers now offer both a kit and a compact spare to cover either choice by the automaker.