Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.'s consumer replacement tire shipments in July were 13% above year 2000 levels and its shipments to the commercial replacement market rose 14% vs. last year.
However, Goodyear's shipments to the original equipment market last month dropped 5% from last year for consumer tires and fell 32% for commercial units.
Shipments of the Goodyear brand gained more than six points of market share in July, company officials claim.
The Akron, Ohio-based tiremaker made "significant" production cutbacks last month.
"Additional cutbacks are expected in August and September as the company continues to focus on aligning inventories with market conditions," say Goodyear officials.
Production levels for Ford Motor Co.-approved replacement tire lines are running at full capacity, though.
