A few years ago our March 2005 Retreading Special questioned the future of passenger car retreading in Europe after the decisions of Reif Reifen + Autotechnik GmbH and Nokian Tyres to exit the segment sounded a death knell for the industry. Despite this, a few companies have managed to cling on, but due to the huge rise in production of car tyres in so-called low-cost countries such as the Far East, retreads have struggled to compete at this end of the market. At the same time the trouble caused by the ongoing financial crisis has put pressures on businesses and consumers alike, with some markets such as the UK experiencing a sharp increase in the sales of part worn tyres. This in turn has led sections of the market to declare war on part worn tyres they see both as questionable in terms as safety and as a threat to the sales of better quality and higher value products. With all this in mind, Tyres & Accessories asks if there is a middle ground for passenger retreaders to occupy in the pressurised mature markets of Western Europe.