ETRMA: 2015 a good year for the European tire industry

BRUSSELS (Jan. 15, 2016) — Nearly every segment of the European tire industry saw a growth in shipments in 2015, according to the latest statistics from the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA).

Replacement consumer tire shipments increased 3 percent over 2014 shipments to 203.1 million units from 197 million, the ETRMA said.

Shipments of original equipment consumer tires grew 6 percent over 2014 to 89.4 million units from 84.4 million, the ETRMA said.

This reflected the strong increase in new car sales in 2015, according to the association.

Replacement market shipments of summer tires for passenger use rose 5 percent to 115.4 million units from 109.9 million, but passenger winter tires declined 4 percent, to 55.5 million units from 57.7 million, it said.

Truck tires saw solid gains in both the OE and replacement segments in 2015, according to the ETRMA. Replacement truck tire shipments rose 4 percent to 9.5 million units from 9.2 million. OE truck tire shipments increased 10 percent to 3.5 million units from 3.2 million.

Replacement agricultural tire shipments fell 9 percent to 1.5 million units from 1.6 million, but replacement motorcycle and scooter tires grew 2 percent to 8.6 million from 8.4 million.