European replacement tire sales are down for first quarter 2023

Brussels, Belgium – The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) has published its members’ Q1 2023 replacement tires sales figures, indicating a significant drop in demand compared to the same period last year.

Adam McCarthy, ETRMA’s Secretary General, said, “After negative trends in the second half of 2022, the sales volumes of ETRMA member companies in the first quarter of 2023 are down for all product categories compared to the first quarter of 2022.”

The replacement consumer tires segment saw a decline of 12 per cent in Q1 2023 compared to Q1 2022. The replacement truck and bus tire market also declined, by 18 per cent. There was a similar pattern for agricultural tires, where sales dropped by 39 per cent compared to Q1 2022. Similarly, there was a drop in the sales of moto tires, though by only three per cent.

McCarthy continued, “The drop has to be seen in the context of the ongoing high inflation in all European markets and the continued negative impact of the war in Ukraine, particularly on energy prices.”

Compared to Q1 2019, truck and bus tire sales remained at the same level, but the sales of consumer replacement tires dropped by four and a half percentage point.