While replacement light truck tire shipments are projected to drop 2% this year, LT original equipment shipments are expected to be way up – 9.9%, according to the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA).

Replacement passenger tire shipments will remain flat, while their OE counterparts will drop 6.9%.

On the commercial side, replacement and OE truck tire shipments will be up significantly: 3.9% and 9.7%, respectively, according to USTMA projections.

Overall, USTMA projects that total 2017 U.S. tire shipments will decrease by less than 1% to 316.8 million units compared to 2016.

USTMA 2017 Projected Tire Shipments (in millions)

Replacement   2017 forecast   2016 final   % Change

Passenger        209.4                 208.6           +0.4%          

Light truck           31.3                   31.9            -2.0%

Truck                   19.4                   18.6           +3.9%

Total                 260.1                  259.1          0.03%                           

Original Equipment Tires

Passenger          45.9                    49.3             -6.9%          

Light truck             5.4                      4.9             +9.9%

Truck                     5.4                      5.0             +9.7%

Total                    56.7                    58.2             -4.3%

USTMA, which changed its name from the Rubber Manufacturers Association in May, is the national trade association for tire manufacturers. In 2017, USTMA members accounted for 82% of the 317.3 million passenger, light truck and truck tire shipments in the U.S.