PARIS (June 22, 2010)—Michelin has released data for May that shows a continued and healthy recovery for demand in all tire markets, mirroring data released recently by Pirelli.
Passenger tire sales in North America rose 68.6 percent for the five-month period and 86.2 percent for the month compared to May 2009. The steady improvement in North American truck tire OE demand continued, with sales in the first five months up by 20.1 percent, Michelin reported. Consumption in May grew 33.9 percent
Aftermarket passenger tire sales in North America climbed 10.6 percent in the first five months, Michelin said, helped by an increase of 11.5 percent in the most recent month.
In the OE truck tire segment, every market in the world rose in May, and for the second consecutive month, every market rose in the year to date. The site gives only percentage changes, not absolute numbers.
The year so far saw 19.9 percent growth in European OE truck sales strengthening the reversal seen last month. May's sales actually grew by a remarkable 69 percent year on year.
China's OE auto tire demand climbed 58.4 percent in the year to date and 28 percent in May. Aftermarket sales rose 16.6 percent for the first five months and 22.1 percent for May.