BRUSSELS (July 15, 2014) — The European tire market saw strong gains in shipments in all segments in the first half of 2014, according to the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers' Association (ETRMA).
Passenger tire shipments increased 8 percent in the first half over the same period in 2013, to 98.5 million units, the ETRMA said. Truck and bus tire shipments grew 10 percent during the period, to 4.3 million units, it said.
Agricultural tire and motorcycle/scooter tire shipments rose 4 percent to 965,000 units and 8 percent to 5.4 million units, respectively, according to the association.
Germany had a 15-percent increase in truck and bus tire shipments during the first half, but passenger tire shipments in Spain and the United Kingdom fell 1 percent, the ETRMA said.
“The stabilization of the market on a positive trend is very good news, which makes us hope for positive end-of-year results after such a grim 2012 and 2013,” said ETRMA Secretary General Fazilet Cinaralp.
“Furthermore, the sell-in for winter tires continues on a very high level, which hints to a nice picture for the consumer segment,” Ms. Cinaralp said. “However, it will be possible to have a ‘real-life check' after the sell-out from September through November.”
ETRMA members include Apollo Vredestein, Bridgestone Europe, Brisa, Cooper Tires, Continental, Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe, Hankook, Marangoni, Michelin, Mitas, Nokian Tires, Pirelli and Trelleborg Wheel Systems, as well as the national tire associations of Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom.