Domestic truck and bus tire shipments in the United States were down -- way down -- in 2009 vs. 2008, according to preliminary numbers by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA).
The RMA defines the truck and bus segment as "medium, wide-base and heavy on-highway commercial truck tires." In 2009, replacement truck and bus tires totaled 13 million units, down 12.2%. The drop in original equipment shipments was worse, from 3.8 million units to 2.4 million, or 36.8%.
In all, truck tire shipments were down 17.2%.
Despite the drop, replacement radialization increased a little. In 2008, 96.6% of the replacement truck tires shipped were radial. In 2009, that number increased to 97%.
The RMA's "2010 Preliminary Factbook" also lists the most popular truck tire sizes in 2009. The top five replacement and OE sizes are:
Replacement OE
1. 295/75R22.5 1. 295/75R22.5
2. 11R22.5 2. 11R22.5
3. 11R24.5 3. 225/70R19.5
4. 285/75R24.5 4. 11R24.5
5. 225/70R19.5 5. 315/80R22.5
The factbook was prepared by the RMA's Market Information Service department using actual and estimated 2009 tire shipment data supplied by member tire manufacturers representing nearly 90% of the U.S. tire manufacturing industry.