BRUSSELS, Belgium (Feb. 2, 2010)—European markets for passenger tires are recovering slowly, but shipments of truck and agricultural tires remain depressed, according to new data covering 2009 from a European tire manufacturers organization.
The European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers' Association said aftermarket passenger tire shipments fell by 5 million units to 190 million for the year, while original equipment deliveries slumped 18 percent to 65 million. However, most of the decline occurred in the first eight months of the year, and the market showed small but steady improvement in the final quarter.
The ETRMA said Germany, Italy Austria and Poland increased their tire sales in 2009, while France and the United Kingdom and maintained their sales levels from the year earlier or posted small decreases.
In the truck tire sector, the ETRMA said replacement shipments fell 16 percent compared to 2008, and OE demand slumped 62 percent. Ag tire shipments declined 16 percent.