WASHINGTON-Wholesale prices of passenger tires fell in May from the month before, while those of truck and bus tires remained flat, according to the Labor Department's Producer Price Index. Prices of radial passenger tires fell 1 percent in May from April and are down 0.5 percent from May 1994. All season tire prices slid 0.6 percent and 0.9 percent, respectively.
Prices of 15-inch passenger tires fell 2.8 percent in May, but are up 0.8 percent from '94.
Overall, prices of truck and bus tires remained unchanged in May from the month before, but have declined 0.8 percent from a year ago.
Light truck tire prices remained flat in May but are down 4.2 percent the past year.
Tread rubber prices, which have steadily increased in recent months, dipped 0.8 percent in May, but they remain 8.1 percent ahead of May 1994.
Overall, prices of tread rubber, tire sundries and repair materials dropped 0.6 percent in the month.