BRUSSELS (Jan. 23, 2017) — Strong fourth-quarter sales boosted full-year European tire shipments last year in all key segments except replacement agricultural tires, according to the latest figures from the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers' Association (ETRMA).
Replacement consumer and commercial tires grew 1.9 and 2.7 percent, respectively, for the year, the ETRMA said, aided by 4.2- and 7.3-percent growth in the fourth quarter.
Full year shipments were 206.7 million and 9.77 million units, respectively, which marked the fourth straight year of growth in the commercial sector.
At the same time, though, the ERTRMA noted that imports into Europe far outpaced overall growth, with consumer and commercial tire imports up 16 and 13 percent, respectively, through the first 11 months of 2016. China accounted for 46 percent of consumer tire imports and 63 percent of commercial tire imports.