PARIS (March 20, 2009)—Global tire demand continued to shrink in February, with replacement car and truck tire sales falling 15.1 and 25.8 percent, respectively, in North America, according to Michelin's monthly demand updates.
Of the major markets Michelin tracks, only China ran counter to the global downward trend. Replacement car and truck tire demand there was up both in February—17.6 and 0.3 percent—and for the year to date—11.2 and 0.9 percent.
The North American car and truck tire replacement markets were down 16.3 and 26.2 percent, respectively, for the first two months of 2009, Michelin said.
OE tire demand was way down in the major markets for the month and two-month period. In North America, OE car tire demand was off a whopping 53.6 percent in February and 58.2 percent for the two months. OE truck tire demand sank 45.9 percent in February and was down 45.8 percent for the two months.
The complete list is available here on Michelin's Web site.