Brussels, 23^rd January 2016 – The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association published today its members’ sales for the year 2016 and the last quarter of 2016(table 1). ETRMA also published the 2016 statistics booklet, which contains full data on the European rubber and tyre industry, including employment, production, trade and natural rubber consumption.

Consumer tyres - despite minor fluctuations during the third quarter and with a strong performance in the last quarter (+4%) - showed positive year-end results (table 1), confirming the increase of 2015.

OE consumer tyres sales followed the good performance of new car registrations (+6.8%[3]), although the growth was more contained than last year.

For the truck tyre segment, the total 2016 sales were positive (+3%) for the fourth year in a row and sales were particularly good in the fourth quarter (+7%). The OE truck tyre market also grew, in line with sales of commercial vehicles (+11.7% for first 11 months³).

Sales of motorcycle and scooter tyres, despite a negative second half of the year, also showed a good performance, which resulted - at year-end - in a growth of 4% .

Agricultural tyres sales continued to experience, a consistently negative trend (-6%).

“All in all, the outcome of 2016 is in line with the expectations and normal for a mature market” said Mrs Cinaralp, Secretary General of ETRMA “for 2017, it is difficult to hope for a greater growth, especially given the continuous growth of imports, which will be confirmed also for 2016”.

Eurostat data is not yet complete for the whole of 2016. However, the results for the first 11 months of 2016 is sufficient to make a forecast (fc), which shows a consistent growth of tyre imports, particularly for passenger cars and truck tyres, dominated from China.  

Like every eyar, the Annex gives a breakdown per country of the tyre replacement trend sales for the past four years.

For further information, please contact Marta Conti, Communication Manager

ANNEX: COUNTRY DATA

Replacement consumer tyre sales in Europe (ETRMA members)

(source: europool ETRMA)

Replacement truck and bus tyre sales in Europe (ETRMA members)

(source: europool ETRMA)

Replacement agricultural tyre sales in Europe (ETRMA members)

(source: europool ETRMA)

Replacement motorcycle tyre sales in Europe (ETRMA members)

(source: europool ETRMA)

ETRMA’s membership include the following tyre manufacturers: APOLLO VREDESTEIN, BRIDGESTONE EUROPE, BRISA, COOPER TIRES, CONTINENTAL, GOODYEAR DUNLOP TIRES EUROPE, HANKOOK, MARANGONI, MICHELIN, MITAS, NOKIAN TYRES, PIRELLI AND TRELLEBORG WHEEL SYSTEMS. Furthermore, members include Associations in the following countries: Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the UK.