The European replacement tire market stabilized toward year-end 2013 after significant decreases in shipments earlier that year, the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) reported.

Based on the second half upswing, the ETRMA is projecting growth in 2014 of 2 to 3 percent.

The worst numbers were in the consumer tire sector, which fell 1 percent in 2013 to 192.7 million units from 194.6 million in 2012, the ETRMA said.

The decline was most prominent in Germany and Poland, the ERTMA said, as opposed to markets in France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, which showed signs of recovery.

Truck tire shipments saw the biggest increase in 2013 over 2012 — up 7.5 percent to 8.85 million units, according to the association.

“2012 had been a particularly bad year for this segment, which lost 19 percent compared with 2011,” said Fazilet Cinaralp, secretary general. “The departure level was therefore very low and a return to growth was strongly hoped for.”

Imports from China continued to play a key role in these two markets, accounting for as much as 40 percent of consumer tire imports into the region, the ETRMA said, and are increasing significantly in the truck segment, where imports constitute about 20 percent of the European market.

Agricultural tire and motorcycle tire shipments ended up growing 1 percent to 1.68 million units and 2 percent to 7.73 million units, respectively.

ETRMA member companies are: Apollo-Vredestein, Bridgestone Europe, Brisa, Cooper Tires, Continental, Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe, Hankook, Marangoni, Michelin, Mitas, Nokian Tyres, Pirelli and Trelleborg Wheel Systems.

Member associations are in Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom, with association headquarters in Brussels.

Source: tirebusiness.com