Pirelli sales, earnings rise

MILAN, Italy (May 17)—Based in part on the first-time consolidation of results from Pirelli Tires Alexandria in Egypt, Pirelli S.p.A.´s tire sector reported a 22.1-percent increase in first-quarter sales. The company reported healthy increases in sales by all its sectors, including 31-percent growth in light truck tires and 19-percent in medium truck tires. Pirelli bought majority control of truck tire maker Alexandria Tire last fall. Pirelli S.p.A. sales rose 17.8 percent to $1.74 billion, while operating earnings rose 20.1 percent to $189 million.