The biggest growth in the SUV i VAN segments
Sales of tyre importers and manufacturers are still rising – in the first quarter of 2017 Polish Tyre Industry Association recorded an increase to over 4 million units, ie. 14 percent – compared to corresponding period in 2016. The biggest change was noted in the SUV segment – by 21 percent and VAN – by 9 percent.
In terms of seasonal approach, in all these groups, growth in regard Q1 2016 was observed in all groups – summer tyres by 12 percent, winter by 43 percent, and all-season by 25 percent.
Sales of truck tyres in Q1 2017 slightly decreased compared to the corresponding period of 2016 – this change amounted to 1 percent.
„Manufacturers and importers of car tyres have had a good quarter – 14% sales growth recorded in the passenger segment compared to the first quarter of 2016. The significant dynamics of SUV and VAN tyres are related to the number of those type of cars sold. Poles are buying more and more cars – in the first quarter of 2017 over 125 thousand new vehicles were registered (1) – what translates into increased demand in the tyre segment. Dynamics of growth proves that this market still has potential for development. Especially when it comes to premium segment tyres and drivers’ belief, also those having cars older than 5 years, that better tyres have a greater margin of safety” – says Piotr Sarnecki, General Director of the Polish Tyre Industry Association.
After looking at data from Europe, one can see a slightly different picture in terms of dynamics in passenger cars’ tyres. The truck tyre market looks much more optimistic. It seems that the dynamic growth in this latter segment is caused by the truck fleets’ appreciation of the quality of tyres of reputable manufacturers and their strength to guarantee transport safety. The percentages look like this:
„Situation on European tyre market has improved – sales levels recorded are consistent and sometimes even better than ETRMA estimations. Forecasts for the coming months do not anticipate large deviations from current values – they may oscillate around a few percent. The only fluctuations we are expecting are traditional seasonal jumps associated with increased popularity due to weather changes” – said Fazilet Cinaralp, The Secretary General of ETRMA.
Tyres properly matched for the car, driver's behavior, and temperature are investments in road safety and lower operating costs. According to the police, the wrong condition of tyres is as much as 25.2 percent (2) among all technical faults in vehicles causing in road accidents. Because they are the only element connecting the car to the road, their quality and technical condition have a great impact on safety. In order to make choosing tyres during the summer change easier and to educate drivers and mechanics, the Polish Tire Industry Association equiped 5,000 automotive services in information materials.
(1) Quarterly report by PZPM and KPMG "Automotive industry", Edition Q2/2017
(2) Road accidents in Poland in 2016, Polish Police Headquarters - Road Traffic Office
Source: Polish Tyre Industry Association