WASHINGTON-U.S. shipments of replacement tires surged in all categories in September, while those destined for use as original equipment showed mixed results, according to the latest Rubber Manufacturers Association data.
Aftermarket shipments of passenger and light truck tires each increased 8.9 percent during the month compared with September 2002, pushing year-to-date totals ahead by 1.3 percent for passenger tires and 0.6 percent for light truck tires, the data showed.
In medium and wide-base tires, replacement shipments improved 10.8 percent during the month and grew 4 percent for the year-to-date. Following a similar trend, aftermarket shipments of heavy truck tires improved 4.6 percent in September and leaped 10.9 percent for the year's first nine months.
As for OE shipments, those for passenger and light truck tires fell in September, while those for medium and wide- base truck and heavy truck tires grew, with the latter category showing a 15.1-percent jump from a year ago.