Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.'s North American tire shipments in April generally compared favorably with industry shipments.
In its monthly investor update, Goodyear highlighted the following North American shipment data:
* Replacement passenger and light truck tire shipments were more than 3% above last year's levels industry-wide; Goodyear's shipments were in line with industry shipments.
* Replacement commercial tire shipments were down almost 3% compared to April 2001. But Goodyear said its replacement commercial shipments were up 6% compared to the same period last year.
* Original equipment passenger, light truck and commercial tire shipments were up 13% compared to a year ago. Goodyear's OE unit shipments were better than the industry for consumer tires, but below the industry for commercial tires.
Goodyear said its operating income in April "benefited from slightly lower raw material costs."
Shipments to its large wholesalers improved in April because retail demand increased compared to the first three months of this year. However, Goodyear added that volumes still are not back to last year's levels, "resulting in a less-favorable brand mix for replacement tires."
