RMA releases preliminary industry figures for 2005

Jan. 27, 2006

There were a record 201.9 million replacement passenger tires shipped in the United States last year, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association's preliminary 2005 fact collecting.

Replacement light truck tire shipments totaled 35.9 million units, down 1.1% compared to 2004. Conversely, medium truck tire shipments were up 7.5%, from 16.3 million units to 17.5 million.

Total tire production in the U.S. was as follows:

* passenger -- 176.2 million units.

* light truck -- 31.3 million units.

* medium truck -- 15.5 million units.

Manufacturers' brands accounted for 63% of the replacement consumer tire shipments, while associate brands accounted for 17% of passenger tire shipments and 16% of light truck tire shipments. Private brands represented 20% and 21%, respectively, of the passenger and light truck tire shipments.

You can order the RMA's 2006 Industry Factbook on-line at www.rma.org/publications.