Trade association the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) projects that tyre shipments in the USA will decrease 0.7 per cent this year to 327 million units.
Shipments of passenger car tyres within the original equipment and replacement segments are each expected to decrease by 0.6 million units, the latter down from a historically strong 2018. Original equipment and replacement light truck tyre shipments are expected to increase, while decreases are projected for original equipment and replacement truck tyre shipments.
The USTMA notes that due to the US Government shutdown and delayed release of December trade data, it needed to base its calculations upon preliminary 2018 data. The association further comments that its forecast was completed after the announcement of anti-dumping and countervailing duties for Chinese truck tyres; this occurrence was incorporated into the forecast.
