WASHINGTON-Shipments of passenger and light truck tires to the U.S. replacement market began the year on a promising note, rising 4.6 percent and 5.4 percent, respectively, from January 1995 levels, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association. At the same time, shipments of these tires to original equipment manufacturers sagged: down 2.1 percent in the case of passenger tires, 3.2 percent for light truck.
Aftermarket shipments of medium and wide-base truck tires dropped 9.3 percent in January, while OE shipments fared even worse, falling 13.5 percent.
As they were throughout 1995, data for agricultural tire shipments remained unavailable in January, as the RMA continues to work to secure Titan Tire Corp.'s participation in its shipments report-a matter it expected to be resolved in April.
In the meantime, monthly farm tire shipments figures now are available for 1995. For details, contact Managing Editor Larry Wingert at TIRE BUSINESS; (330) 836-9180, ext. 130.
The Canadian aftermarket got off to a slower start in 1996, as January shipments of passenger tires slid 4.6 percent, while those of truck and bus tires skidded 7.5 percent.