US tyre market to surpass 315 million units this year, says RMA

According to the latest forecast by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), total shipments of tyres in the US will exceed 315 million units this year, 0.7 per cent higher than in 2015. Furthermore, the association anticipates that passenger car tyre shipments will exceed the previous record set in 2014.

The RMA believes conditions favour a growth in overall tyre shipments as the US economy is steadily improving, fuel prices are low and vehicle miles travelled are expected to increase in 2016. Original equipment passenger and light truck tyres are expected to see the largest percentage increase in shipments, while modest growth is anticipated for replacement passenger, light truck and truck tyre shipments. Although 2016 commercial truck original equipment shipments are expected to decrease year-on-year, the RMA notes that last year’s shipments in this category were the highest since 2006.