Commercial tire market

Although too much of the capacity is bias-ply, that is changing, he said. China also is adding truck tire capacity.

Retreaded truck tire shipments were down nearly 4%, but still a healthy 48 million units. Tey accounted for $3.4 billion in sales compared to $3.6 billion last year.

Despite the stif competition from China, retread prices decreased only 2.1%, from an average of $237.48 to $232.43.

Te drop in the number of retreaded truck tires almost wiped out the gain in new truck tire shipments. Combined, they totaled 32.8 million units versus 32.7 million units the previous year (see Chart 11 on page 58).

From 1998 through 2003, the number of retreaded truck tires outpaced new truck tire shipments every year. In the last 12 years, truck tires have led the way every year but one: 2009. Farm tire market share Te Firestone brand is the domestic market leader when it comes to radial rear farm tires. It accounts for 40% of original equipment shipments in the U.S. (see Chart 15) and 32.5% of replacement shipments.

At the OE level, the Goodyear brand, produced and marketed by Titan Tire Corp., is second with 33% of the market, followed by Michelin at 14%. At the replacement level, BKT has 20.5% of the market, followed by Michelin at 17.5%.

Titan leads the way with 35% of the OE bias rear farm tire market. BKT is the replacement segment leader at 40%. ■

Chart 15 2015 U.S. OE FARM TIRE BRAND SHARES

Chart 14 2015 U.S. MARKET SHARE, RETREADED TRUCK TIRES (based on 14.8 million units)

Bridgestone (Bandag) 42.5%

Goodyear 24.0%

Michelin 24.0%

Marangoni 5.0%

Continental 2.0%

Others 2.5%

From April 1974: Tire shows have featured retreaded tire “beauty contests” for years. The latest was at the 2015 North American Tire & Retread Expo.

RADIAL REAR (based on 210,000 units) Firestone 40.0%

Goodyear Michelin Titan BKT Trelleborg Mitas Others Total 33.0% 14.0% 5.0% 3.0% 2.0% 1.0% 2.0% 100.0%

BIAS REAR (based on 326,000 units) Titan Firestone Goodyear Alliance BKT Trelleborg 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 6.0% 1.0% 1.0%

Others Total

2.0% 100.0% SMALL FARM (based on 350,000 units) Goodyear Titan Firestone Carlisle BKT Alliance 32.5% 20.5% 15.0% 12.0% 7.0% 6.5%

American Farmer Trelleborg Mitas Others Total

2.0% 1.5% 1.0% 2.0% 100.0%