ETRMA: Tyre sales down slightly

The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) has published members sales figures, which show that “overall industry sales declined slightly in the first quarter of 2019”.

According to the association, this pattern is similar to the first quarter of 2018, which saw low sales in the first quarter and recovery in the following months. However, the association was not overly optimistic about recovery in the second quarter, with officials saying: “It remains uncertain whether the recovery in the second quarter will balance out the decline registered in the first quarter of 2019”.

Nevertheless, ETRMA welcomed the “very positive evolution” of truck tyre replacement sales, which were up 9 per cent, reconfirming the 2018 full-year trend. Likewise, officials welcomed the “positive trend in agricultural tyre sales”. As for two-wheel replacement sales, the positive trend observed during the last quarter of 2018 is reflected again in the first quarter 2019 sales.

Fazilet Cinaralp, secretary general of ETRMA commented: “All in all, the 2019 Q1 figures confirm a relatively stable market evolving according to earlier observed trends, welcoming a continued increase in all-season tyres adding to the safety on our roads. Further, we see a very positive evolution in our members’ growing sales in the truck replacement market. This confirms the 2018 trend.”