November European market volumes dent year to date curve

November appears to have been a good month for original equipment passenger car and light truck tyre shipments in Russia. In their monthly market updates, Michelin and Pirelli respectively report a 2.9 per cent year-on-year decline and 3 per cent growth for this segment in Europe – the main difference being that Pirelli’s figures include Russia, while Michelin’s do not. November results for Russia alone were not published by either company. According to the French tyre maker replacement market volumes for the month decreased 2.1 per cent year-on-year, while its Italian counterpart reports the decline as only 1 per cent. Year to date, Michelin estimates the growth in the European passenger car OE and replacement markets as being 6.9 per cent and 7.0 per cent respectively, while Pirelli gives a lower figure of 4 per cent for both.

The European heavy truck tyre original equipment market grew modestly during November; Michelin reports a 6.1 per cent increase, while Pirelli indicates growth of 5 per cent. Results for the replacement segment were not so rosy, with Michelin and Pirelli respectively reporting a 10.1 per cent and a hefty 20 per cent year-on-year drop. Year to date growth of OE volumes has been healthy, with Michelin pegging the increase at 38.4 per cent and Pirelli at 36 per cent. Figures for the replacement market differ, with Michelin estimating year-to-date growth of 7.1 per cent and Pirelli 1 per cent.