BRUSSELS (April 15, 2014) — All sectors of the European tire industry reported strong increases in shipments in the first quarter of 2014, the European Tire & Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA) reported recently.
Passenger tire shipments rose 10 percent to 51.1 million units, up from 46.6 million in the first quarter of 2013, the ETRMA said. Truck tires had an even stronger percentage increase, up 16 percent for the first quarter to 2.2 million units from 1.9 million.
Agricultural tire shipments were up 7 percent during the quarter to 499,000 units, and motorcycle/scooter tires rose 12 percent to 3 million units.
“A good start is half the battle, and we can expect also in the coming months a positive development of the market,” said ETRMA Secretary General Fazilet Cinaralp. She projected a full-year growth rate of between 3 and 4 percent in 2014 vs. 2013.
ETRMA members are: Apollo Vredestein; Bridgestone Europe; Brisa; Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.; Continental A.G.; Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe; Hankook Tire Co. Inc.; Marangoni S.p.A.; Group Michelin; Mitas A.S.; Nokian Tyres; Pirelli & C. S.p.A; and Trelleborg Wheel Systems.
National tire trade associations in Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom also are members of the ETRMA.