BRUSSELS—Replacement tire sales in Europe have seen a trend reversal from the "very promising" outlook in the second quarter to "a lower volume evolution" in the three months to end of September.
All segments either remained flat or reported negative developments during the third quarter, said the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers' Association (ETRMA) in its latest Oct. 14 report.
Replacement consumer tire volumes totaled 60.5 million units, marginally up from 60.4 million reported last year and 2 percent down from 61.5 million in 2019.
Here, the segment recorded a 20-percent increase in all-season tires and an 11-percent decrease in the summer car tires, while winter tire sales remained stable.
The replacement truck tires segment was more dynamic compared to the consumer tire segment, posting a 2-percent increase compared to 2019 at 3.56 million units.
This, ETRMA said, was achieved by a "higher-than-expected" economic recovery and the positive stock replenishment activity.
The volume, however, remained 1 percent below the 2020 levels, when cargo transport and deliveries drove the truck tire market.
Meanwhile, farm tire and two-wheel tire segments both registered declines during the third quarter.
Agricultural tire volume fell to 245,000 units, down 16 percent compared to 2020 and 7 percent compared to 2019.
Two-wheel tire sales fell 8 percent year-on-year to 2.18 million in 2021, registering a 17 percent growth over the 2019 levels.
"Like in 2020, the main story in 2021 remains strong growth in the all-season segment, despite the overall decline in the market," said Fazilet Cinaralp, ETRMA secretary general.
The data also shows that "this beginning of recovery is not yet consolidated for our sector," she added.
Cinaralp expressed the hope that the upcoming months will show "a more positive trend."