From our sister publication, Tire Review

Groupe Michelin is partnering with India’s Snapdeal to sell tires online, according to The Times of India.

“Snapdeal, with its large subscriber base and pan-India reach, has been an obvious choice. We believe this new channel will augment our existing distribution and enable our dealers with a parallel sales pipeline,” said Mohan Kumar, Michelin India commercial director in a statement.

Using Snapdeal, customers can order Michelin tires online from an authorized dealer, and have the tires installed at the time of their choice, The Times of India reported. “The consumer has the option of same-day free fitment, as well as access to exclusive offers on services like alignment and balancing,” Michelin said.

Michelin has made several moves to sell direct to consumers in other countries recently as well. In May 2015, the tiremaker purchased the U.K.’s blackcircles.com and in April 2015 the company acquired 40 percent share in France’s leading online tire retailer Allopneus.

The tiremaker has not yet announced plans to sell online in the U.S., but Scott Clark, chief operating officer for Michelin North America, told Tire Review, “Michelin is taking steps globally to address the new expectations of drivers, who increasingly demand a simpler process for researching, selecting, buying and ultimately installing their tires. We will continue to test different approaches to meet those needs more efficiently, while balancing the important long-term relationships that Michelin enjoys with its retail customers.”