PARIS (Nov. 20, 2008) — Michelin's latest published figures on tire market demand show near-universal declines in all regions except Asia.
The French tire maker said the North American passenger tire market suffered a 13.6-percent decrease in demand in the origi1nal equipment sector and 3.9 percent in the aftermarket for the year through October. In October, OE tire demand on the continent tumbled 13.6 percent and replacement tire demand 3.9 percent.
The report, posted on Michelin's Web site, gives only percentage changes, not actual numbers.
North American demand for OE truck tires fell 15.8 percent for the first 10 months of the year, while replacement tire deliveries declined 5.7 percent. For October alone, OE truck tire consumption declined 15.6 percent and aftermarket demand 12.4 percent.
European tire demand wasn't much better. In eight categories, Michelin said consumption increased in only one, original equipment replacement tires, which rose 7.3 percent. The biggest percentage decline was OE passenger tires, down 21.3 percent.
China enjoyed a 19.4-percent rise in aftermarket passenger tire shipments for the first 10 months, Michelin said. In truck tires, demand in that nation rose in all categories, including 11.8 percent in aftermarket tires.