Analysts Publish New Market Statistics

In 2004 the global tyre market for passenger cars, light, medium and heavy-duty truck applications totalled nearly 1.2 billion, of which 857 million (72 per cent) were replacement tyres. According to a new report published by Research and Markets, the world tyre market is essentially a replacement market in terms of volume and value, with OE sales representing only a small but influential quarter of the market.

“It used to be that the standard wheel diameter was14 or 15-inch,” the report quotes one auto executive as saying. “But now that has risen dramatically to 16 or 17-inch. We’re getting quite a lot of 18-inch wheel business. We’re also getting more and more requests for future business with 20-inch wheels. And were seeing those larger diameter wheels being fitted right across the board.”

Another executive perceived this trend occurring in Europe, too. He said: “Wheels are definitely going to larger diameters on the higher end vehicles or on the higher end option packages on mid-level vehicles. We see aluminium wheel fitment gradually increasing alongside larger diameter, low profile tyres.”

This third edition report is 25 per cent larger than the second edition, providing extended analysis with detailed market volume fitment forecasts for both OE and replacement tyres for passenger cars, light, medium and heavy duty trucks covering eight countries/regions through 2011. It takes a closer look at the size of the run-flat tyre market in Europe and North America and the reasons for growth.