According to the data of the Polish Tire Industry Association (PTIA) and European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers' Association (ETRMA) in the third quarter of 2018 tyre manufacturers and importers in Poland recorded an increase in sales in all major market segments. Highest growth was recorded in the segments of truck (+29%) and agricultural tyres (+15%). The sales volume of commercial (+5%) and motorcycle tyres (+13%) also increased.
The third quarter brought animation in almost all segments of the market, which may herald an economic upturn in the automotive and transport industries. Yet another quarter of very high volume of sales in the SUV category (+25%) is the result of an ever-growing number of enthusiasts of this type of vehicle - both on the secondary and primary market. Such cars need special tyres because of their greater mass and higher centre of gravity. In the past quarter, the sales of tyres in this segment were equal to 2/3 of the sales level in the segment of light commercial vehicles - a year ago it was just 1/2. It is also yet another quarter indicating a trend of persistent growth in the sales of premium (+16%) and mid-range tyres (+13%).
– Certainly, the increase in the sales of premium tyres is a result of growing awareness among drivers about their numerous advantages and the impact of good quality tyres on safety. Good tyres mean better road grip, shorter braking distances, longer life span, less noise and lower fuel consumption. Such data therefore indicate a positive trend – but let’s remember that even new budget-class tires will be a much better choice than used ones. Only by buying unused tyres we have a guarantee that they are free of any damage and have the properties declared by the manufacturer – indicates Piotr Sarnecki, general director of the Polish Tyre Industry Association (PTIA).
A large increase in truck tyre sales of renowned manufacturers is partly caused by customs duties and supplements for imported tyres from China, introduced by the European Commission after an investigation. Now, the price of tyres from China, after considering the supplements, reaches the level of budget tyres of renowned European, American, Japanese and Korean manufacturers - such tyres lost their main advantage, which was the lower price.
– The condition and the quality of tyres affect the efficiency of businesses and have an impact on road safety. This is particularly important in transport companies – the size of the car fleet used in road transport is estimated to be more than 600,000 vehicles in the scale of whole country. For each of them tyres are the only part of vehicle in contact with the road and are responsible for transmission and traction. Tyres, mainly because of their rolling resistance, account for up to 30 percent of the fuel consumption of vehicles. The use of branded tyres allows for fuel savings of more than 2 litres per 100 km, that is approximately 5000 litres in a year[1]. Tyres make up only about 3-5 percent of total expenses, but have a bearing on 40 percent of all operating costs. These advantages surely convince the best transport companies to invest in good tyres, which was reflected in the results of the third quarter – adds Sarnecki.
Source: Polish Tyre Industry Association