WASHINGTON—The numbers of passenger and light truck tires shipped to the U.S. replacement market rose in September from the same month a year ago, as manufacturers tried to meet the demand created by the recall of 6.5 million Firestone P-metric light truck tires that began a month earlier.
Passenger tire shipments increased 12.6 percent from September 1999, while those for light truck tires rose 2 percent, according to Rubber Manufacturers Association data.
The spike in September follows big jumps in August during which passenger and LT tire shipments rose 11 and 12.6 percent respectively.
Aftermarket shipments of medium and wide base truck tires also showed strong growth, climbing 12.7 percent from the year-ago month.
In contrast, original equipment shipments of medium and wide base truck tires fell 34.5 percent, reflecting slowing sales of new trucks and trailers.