Tyre Shipment Increase Smaller, Says RMA

(Akron/Tire Review) The RMA has adjusted its projections for 2006, and now expects total US tyre shipments to increase just 1 per cent compared to 2005, instead of the 2 per cent it had predicted back in December. The RMA said that 2006 should show “steady economic growth in the consumer and commercial sectors,” it has downgraded its shipment prediction because of decreases in OE markets. RMA projects continued annualized growth of about 1.

7 per cent for total tyre shipments through 2011. Combined 2006 OE and replacement market shipments – passenger and commercial – should increase by 3.8 million units to nearly 325 million tires, up from 2005’s 320.

8 million total units, RMA said. By 2011, shipments should reach 352 million tyres. .