Which seasonal tire segment grew the most in 2010 compared to 2009? According to the preliminary edition of the Rubber Manufacturers Association's "2011 Factbook," it was no contest.
The numbers, which were released on Feb. 14, favor ultra-high performance summer tires. Here is the breakdown of replacement passenger tire shipments in the U.S. (in millions of units):
Type 2009 2010 % growth
Summer (Z-rated and higher): 10.6 12.1 +14.1%
Winter (traction and snow treads): 8.8 8.7 -1.1%
All-season 139.7 146.5 +4.8%
Lower speed-rated replacement tire shipments (those H- and V-rated) also were up.
In 2010, the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) says there were 201.3 million replacement passenger tire units shipped in the U.S. That's 6.2% higher than in 2009.
All data in the preliminary "Factbook" was prepared by the RMA's Market Information Services department using "actual and estimated 2010 tire shipment data supplied by manufacturers representing nearly 90% of the U.S. tire manufacturing industry."
