Last Thursday, both Michelin and Pirelli released their monthly tire sales figures for April, and the data are consistent in several notable trends.
Europe: While YTD figures for Europe remain negative, both Michelin and Pirelli data show volume gains in Europe for April 2013 relative to April 2012. Michelin data have passenger and light truck demand up by 3% in OE and 5% in replacement, while heavy truck tire demand was up 9% in OE and 14% in replacement in April 2013 (yoy to April 2012). Pirelli figures have European car and light truck tire demand up 2% for OE and 8% for replacement, while truck tire demand in Europe was up 9% in OE and 14% in replacement in April 2013 (yoy to April 2012).
South America: Another trend common to both the Michelin and Pirelli data is very strong demand in South America. Michelin data cover only Brazil and show demand for passenger car and light truck tire demand up 28% in OE and up 21% in replacement, while heavy truck tire demand was up 16% in OE and 10% in replacement in April 2013 (yoy to April 2012). Pirelli figures cover the Mercosur region and show car and light truck tire demand up 30% in OE and 19% in replacement, while truck tire demand in Mercosur was up 53% in OE and 10% in April 2013 (yoy to April 2012).
North America: Results for both companies in North America were mixed. Michelin data for North America show passenger and light truck tire demand up 14% in OE and down 3% in replacement, while heavy truck tire demand was down 13% in OE and up 1% in replacement in April 2013 (yoy to April 2012). Pirelli data show NAFTA car and light truck tire demand up 14% in OE and down 4% in replacement, while NAFTA truck tire demand was down 7% in OE and up 7% in replacement in April 2013 compared to April 2012.