WASHINGTON-Passenger tire shipments to the U.S. replacement market in 1993 nearly equaled those of 1992, when an all-time record was set. But a 5.8-percent decline in December shipments of these tires, compared with the 1992 month, left the industry just shy of the mark at 165.1 million units for the year. In 1992, the industry shipped a record 165.8 million replacement passenger tires.
Aftermarket shipments of all other tire types finished the year ahead of 1992 totals, according to Rubber Manufacturers Association data.
Light truck tire shipments to the aftermarket grew 1.1 percent in December to 1.84 million units, ending the year 0.8-percent higher at 22.8 million tires.
In the other truck and bus tires category, replacement shipments grew 16.7 percent in December to 949,000 units from the 1992 month to wind up the year 7.3-percent ahead of 1992 at 11.9 million units.
Tractor/implement tires climbed 5.2 percent for the year to 2.39 million units, while those of industrial/utility tires rose 10 percent to 3.12 million units.
Shipments to the Canadian aftermarket soared during the year, compared with 1992. Passenger tires grew 12.3 percent to 11.5 million units, while truck and bus tires rose 23.9 percent to 2.79 million units.