U.S. Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) 8 earlier this month the 2011 U.S. tire shipments predicted values ​​increase, but increase in passenger tire shipments were down to fine-tuning.

     According to RMA's latest forecast, the first wife in 2011 and truck tire replacement market shipments will grow by 4 percent to 296 million, while the March forecast an increase of 3% of the RMA. As high energy prices, consumers will ride down and the uncertain economic outlook and other factors, passenger tire replacement market volume growth will slow in 2011, shipments of 202 million, an increase in the 1 percent. In contrast, RMA will light truck tire replacement market volume growth to 7%, an increase of 2 million to 31 million.

     RMA forecast, light truck and medium truck tires were original equipment shipments up 18% and 47%, to 4.3 million and 4.7 million. Original passenger tire market expected to grow 8.5 percent, to 36 million, this figure is slightly lower than previously forecast, mainly due to earthquake in Japan, North America, parts supply, leading to the North American vehicle production declined.