ETRMA: European tyre markets crashed in 2012
After two consecutive years of modest growth in total tyre unit sales, European tyre makers are reporting double digits drops across the board in 2012. While previous market growth can be qualified by the fact that the increases came despite a decrease of ETRMA member market share, it is clear that the economic crisis is far from being over.
ETRMA’s secretary general Fazilet Cinaralp commented on the “worrying” data and pointed to part worn sales as a possible explanation: “This is the lowest market volume since more than seven years. This may be caused by lower mileage per car, the decision by the consumers to delay the purchase of new tyres or to choose second hand tyres instead of new ones. The latter emerging trend could have severe consequences on the safety of the vehicles on European roads, as second hand tyres could become over-used – and illegal – very quickly. To avoid these safety concerns, checks on tyre tread depth during periodic and roadside roadworthiness inspections are increasingly important.”
| European tyre replacement market in ‘000s of tyres | |||
| 2011 | 2012 | Change | |
| Consumer | 223,597 | 194,618 | -13% |
| Truck | 10,172 | 8,231 | -19% |
| Agri | 1,866 | 1,652 | -11% |
| Two-wheel | 8,568 | 7,611 | -11% |
| Source: ETRMA Europool | |||
All segments affected, winter tyre sales down 20%
According to the ETRMA data, all tyre segments were negatively affected with the biggest fall affecting replacement truck tyres (-19%), followed by consumer replacement tyres (-13%). Furthermore demand for winter tyres was described as “saturated” resulting in a drop of 20 per cent in 2012. However the ETRMA does no believe that this scenario is something its members alone are experiencing, stating that data for imports from non-European manufacturers are showing a similar trend. The suggestion is that lower miles driven and increased part worn sales are affecting everyone.
In this context, ETRMA supports a rapid implementation of the CARS 2020 Action Plan announced by the European Commission in November 2012. “We hope” said Ms Cinaralp “that the action plan will bring a gleam of light in this very grim scenario by promoting investments in innovation, skills and training, promoting better regulation, and sanctioning unfair market players through more effective market surveillance”.
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