Retreads Gaining Ground in Germany

Statistics released by Germany’s Federal Tyre Trade and the Vulcanisers' Skilled Trade Association (BRV) show that while year-on-year fewer retreaded truck tyres were sold in this market during 2009, they gained market share at the expense of new tyres.

According to the BRV, approximately 920,000 retreaded truck tyres were sold in Germany last year, a decrease of 6.1 per cent on 2008 sales. The demand for new tyres dropped even more sharply, however, declining by 16.6 per cent to 1.56 million units. Due to this, retreads increased their share of the total truck tyre market from 34.4 to 37.1 per cent. According to BRV estimates, in the course of this year the German replacement market will see sales of 960,000 retreaded and 1.64 million fewer new truck tyres, again giving retreads a market share of around 37 per cent.