WASHINGTON-U.S. replacement shipments of most tire types climbed again in May, compared with year-ago levels, after slowing noticeably in April, according to recently released data from the Rubber Manufacturers Association. Shipments of medium and wide-base truck tires, however, fell 2.2 percent for the month to 1.04 million units, though the five-month total remained 9.6-percent ahead of 1993 levels at 4.86 million units.
May shipments of passenger tires rose 6 percent to 14.3 million units, while those of light truck tires leapt 18.5 percent to 2.07 million units.
Shipments of heavy and large off-the-road truck tires also grew 11.8 percent to 37,000 units.
In the tractor and implement tire category, shipments advanced 7.6 percent for the month to 201,400 units, putting the five-month total 1.6-percent ahead of last year at 1.01 million units, though the radial component dropped 10.4 percent to 55,400 units.
Shipments of industrial and utility tires in May surged 22 percent to 305,000 units, pushing the year-to-date total to 1.53 million units, 9.7-percent above 1993 levels. The radial component, though still small, soared more than fourfold to 19,100 units, 1.2 percent of the five-month total.