BRUSSELS—Nearly every segment of the European tire industry saw a growth in shipments in 2015, according to the latest statistics from the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers Association.
Replacement consumer tire shipments increased 3 percent over 2014 shipments, to 203.1 million from 197 million, the ETRMA said in a Jan. 15 news release.
Original equipment consumer tires grew 6 percent year-to-year, to 89.4 million from 84.4 million, the ETRMA said. This reflected the strong increase in new car sales in 2015, according to the association.
Summer tires for passenger use rose 5 percent, to 115.4 million from 109.9 million, but passenger winter tires declined 4 percent, to 55.5 million from 57.7 million, it said.
Truck tires saw solid gains in both the original equipment and replacement segments in 2015, according to the ETRMA. Replacement truck tires rose 4 percent, to 9.5 million from 9.2 million. OE truck tire shipments increased 10 percent, to 3.5 million from 3.2 million.
Replacement agricultural tires fell 9 percent, to 1.5 million from 1.6 million, but replacement motorcycle and scooter tires grew 2 percent, to 8.6 million from 8.4 million.