The replacement consumer tire market in North America grew 12.4% in April compared to the same month last year, according to Groupe Michelin.
By comparison, the Chinese and European markets were up even more: 34.1% and 13.4%, respectively.
In its monthly tire market review, Michelin also estimated that the original equipment passenger and light truck tire market in North America was up 45.8%. The OE markets in Europe (21.2%) and China (34.4%) also grew significantly.
Comparing April 2010 to April 2009, the truck tire market in North America was up 37.2% at the replacement level and 40.8% at the OE level. Michelin says those segments were up in Europe, China, Japan and Brazil as well.
North American markets for the first four months of this year look like this:
Consumer tires: replacement, up 9.7%; OE, up 64.7%.
Truck tires: replacement, up 24.7%; OE, up 18.1%.
Year to date, the European and Chinese consumer and truck tire markets also were up compared to the first four months of 2009.
