Ireland's tyre market steady at 2m units per year

Continental Tyre Group estimates the Irish car, 4x4 and van tyre market will be in the region of two million tyres per year, with some very notable trends in the market place.

Tom Dennigan

Speaking at a Continental Tyres media briefing earlier today, Tom Dennigan, General Manager, Continental Tyres Ireland said "By our reckoning, the replacement tyre market in any country can normally be estimated by assuming one tyre purchase per year, per car. However, the unregulated sale of second-hand, or part-worn tyres, is accounting for a larger section of the market than previously thought."

He said the 205/55 R16 tyre size remains the most popular size in the Irish market with a 25 percent share. This size is used on the Audi A3, Ford Focus and VW Golf. When looking at rim size, 14" and 15" continue to decline in the face of continued growth in popularity of 16" and 17" rims.

He added there has been a rise in popularity of high performance car tyres, but the run flat market had a slight decline in 2013.

On van sales, Mr Dennigan said 16" rims, and larger, currently make up 60 percent of the van market tyre. He added that almost one in three vans across Europe are fitted with Continental tyres.

Figures used are from the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers' Association, representing the mainstream tyre brands.