USTMA: Replacement Passenger Tire Shipments Will Increase by 5.2 Million in 2018

Dec. 7, 2018

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) has drastically increased its projections for tire shipments in 2018 from earlier in the year. Most notable is the organization's expectation that replacement passenger tire shipments will increase 2.5%.

The USTMA says total shipments (including both original equipment and replacement tires) will reach 325.2 million tires in 2018, up from 316.7 million in 2017. That's a 2.7% increase of 8.5 million units for the industry.

Here's how the USTMA breaks down its projections:

 20172018 Forecast% ChangeUnits
Original Equipment tires    
Passenger45.246.22.21.0
Light truck5.45.2-3.2-0.2
Truck5.46.315.80.9
     
Replacement tires    
Passenger209.7214.92.55.2
Light truck31.331.40.20.1
Truck19.721.27.81.5
Total Shipments316.7325.22.78.5

Note: Shipments are in millions. Figures may not add up due to rounding.

Here's a look at how the USTMA's projections have changed throughout the year. The group issued forecasts in April and August 2018.

USTMA tire shipment projections throughout 2018

 April 2018August 2018December 2018
Original Equipment tires   
Passenger45.745.946.2
Light truck5.55.15.2
Truck5.66.26.3
    
Replacement tires   
Passenger210.6211.2214.9
Light truck31.831.231.4
Truck2020.221.2
Total Shipments319.1319.8325.2

Note: Shipments are in millions. Figures may not add up due to rounding.

For more information on the USTMA and its 12 member companies that manufacture tires in the U.S., visit www.ustires.org.