WASHINGTON—Led by double-digit increases in OE and replacement truck tire shipments, overall U.S. tire shipments are expected to reach nearly 310 million units this year, or an improvement of about 4.7 percent over 2013, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association.
The trade group, which represents U.S. tire manufacturers, said shipments in 2015 should edge up only slightly to about 310.6 million units as replacement market stagnation will offset OE growth.
OE truck shipments are forecast to hit 5.4 million units, the RMA said, or 12.5 percent ahead of 2013's 4.8 million. Replacement truck tire shipments are expected to rise 10.8 percent to 17.4 million units.
Replacement passenger and light truck tire shipments are forecast to reach 205.3 million and 29.6 million units, respectively, or 3.1 and 4.2 percent ahead of 2013, the RMA said.
Aftermarket car tire shipments will fall slightly in 2015, however, to about 204.1 million units, while replacement light truck shipments will rise slightly to 29.7 million.
OE passenger tire shipments are expected to rearch 47.5 million units in 2014, a gain of 8.9 percent over 2013, and should rise again in 2015 to 48.7 million units on anticipated growth in new car sales.
OE light truck tire shipments are seen rising 6.8 percent to 4.7 million units in 2014 and another 2.1 percent in 2015 to 4.8 million units, the RMA said.