MILAN (Nov. 9, 2001)—Pirelli S.p.A.'s tire division saw sales slide 10.1 percent in the third quarter, to $587.3 million, leaving sales revenue for the nine-month period about 1 percent behind the same period a year ago at $1.91 billion.
Gross operating earnings for the tire business slid 9.1 percent to $509.4 million, Pirelli said, as exchange rate differences and selling prices offset volume increases.
A bright spot for the company has been its high performance tire range, aftermarket sales of which are running 16 percent ahead of 2000, Pirelli said.
In general, original equipment sales of both passenger/light truck and medium truck have been down, whereas replacement sales have up marginally.