The best word to describe overall tire shipments in the United States in 2013 compared to 2012 is "flat." So says the 2013 Modern Tire Dealer Facts Issue.
Overall passenger, light truck and medium/heavy truck tire shipments totaled 287.2 million units last year, up only 100,000 units. That includes original equipment shipments.
Consumer tire shipments totaled 265.9 million units, up less than one-half percent compared to the previous year. Here are the numbers, in millions of units (with a bonus year included):
Passenger tires
Year Repl. OE
2012 192.7 40.7
2011 196.5 36.0
2010 198.7 34.6
(Note that while replacement passenger tire shipments have dropped steadily the last two years, OE shipments have increased.)
Light truck tires
Year Repl. OE
2012 28.3 4.2
2011 28.6 4.1
2010 28.0 3.5
(OE light truck tire shipments are up 61.5% since 2009.)
The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) is expected to publish its preliminary shipment results for 2012 in early February. To check out the RMA's early predictions, click here.
For more information about the tire industry in 2012, check out this link:
"MTD Facts Issue: sizes that matter."
