Brussels – European tire sales were “generally stable” in 2017 despite significant declines in some market sectors, the ETRMA has reported.
Factoring in a 1% increase in the OE market, consumer tire sales from ETRMA member companies were about level with 2016.
Reviewing the mix between winter and summer tires, ETRMA reported a slight increase of sales in winter tires despite a generally mild winter so far.
Replacement truck tire sales among ETRMA members finished 2017 about level at 9.727 million units – despite a 6% decline in the final three months.
This was in marked contrast to OE truck tire sales grew 7% year-on-year to 6.1 million units.
The agricultural tire market, however, performed badly for the fourth consecutive year, the ETRMA noted.
A 15% fall in the fourth quarter left agricultural tire sales 10% lower year-on-year in 2017, at 1.28 million units.
“All-in-all, the picture painted by 2017 for our industry is one of stability, very much as foreseen at the beginning of the year,” said Fazilet Cinaralp, secretary general of the ETRMA.
However, she added that “the continued poor performance of members’ sales in the agricultural tyre segment remains striking, especially as imports continue to grow”.
Imports of agricultural tires from countries outside the EU increased 13% in the first 10 months of 2017, ETRMA figures show.
Imports from China grew 9% while Indian products, which represent around 40% of all agricultural tire imports, were up by 7%.
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