WASHINGTON—While U.S. aftermarket demand for passenger tires cooled somewhat in October and November, replacement market shipments of light and medium truck tires continued well ahead of 1997's pace, according to the latest Rubber Manufacturers Association data. Aftermarket passenger tire shipments in November of 14.8 million units fell just shy of the November 1997 pace, but the 11-month total of 169.4 million units was 2.4 percent ahead of 1997.
November replacement shipments of light truck tires were 4.8-percent ahead of November 1997, and the year-to-date total of 28.4 million units was 5.9 percent better than the 1997 total.
Canadian replacement market shipments showed healthy growth over 1997—passenger tires and truck/bus tires up 6.4 and 7.9 percent, respectively—according to Rubber Association of Canada statistics. As a result, the comparative year-to-date totals for both categories edged further ahead of 1997 totals.