Replacement Tire Sales down for Second Quarter

European replacement tire sales fell across the board for the second quarter of 2017 and showed mixed results for the first half, according to the latest figures from the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers' Association.

"The second quarter of 2017 slowed down significantly compared to the first three months of the year, with a negative performance for all sectors, and particularly in the consumer segment," ETRMA said in its July 14 press release.

Consumer replacement sales were 46.6 million in the second quarter of 2017, down 6 percent from the 49.3 million sold in the second quarter of 2016, the ETRMA said.

For the first half, consumer sales stood at 102 million, down 1 percent from the first half of 2016, the association said.

Truck tire sales decreased 1 percent in the second quarter, to 2.24 million from 2.27 million, according to the ETRMA. Sales in that sector were up 7 percent for the first half, to 4.9 million from 4.6 million.

Agricultural tires saw a 4 percent drop in sales in the second quarter, to 376,000 from 391,000, according to the ETRMA. For the first half, sales fell to 782,000 from 796,000, it said.

Motorcycle and scooter tires fell 4 percent in the second quarter, to 2.5 million from 2.6 million, the association said. Sales in that sector were up 3 percent for the first half, to 6.2 million from 6. 1 million, it said.