US expects 2.7% increase in tire shipments

Washington – Tire shipments will total 325.2 million units this year, up 2.7% from the 316.7 million units recorded in 2017, according to projections from the US Tire Manufacturers Association.

The biggest gains will be in passenger tires, the USTMA said. Original equipment passenger shipments will increase by 1 million, to 46.2 million from 45.2 million, and replacement passenger shipments will rise 5.2 million from 209.7 million to 214.9 million.

Light truck tire shipments, by contrast, will be nearly flat at the end of 2018, according to the USTMA. OE light truck shipments will edge down 0.2%, to 5.2 million from 5.4 million, while replacement light truck shipments will rise 0.2% to 31.4 million from 31.3 million.

Medium truck tire shipments will enjoy robust gains, the association said. OE truck shipments will rise 15.8%, to 6.3 million from 5.4 million, while replacement truck shipments will increase 7.8% to 21.2 million from 19.7 million.