Magazine for the professional tire industry
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European notebook www.redi-sensor.com 5L]LYHU`HKKLK ZLUZVYWYVNYHTTPUN VYJSVUPUNZ[LWZ^P[O 9,+0:LUZVY;74: Delivering over 85% coverage with just 3 sensors. • Ready out of the box! • Pre-programmed and designed to follow OE vehicle relearn procedures • Works with all major TPMS scan tools • Now covers over 85% of all vehicles in North America • Reduces inventory and eliminates service delays • OE designed and validated For more information, e-mail: salessupport-us@vdo.com or call: 800-564-5066 See why VDO REDI-Sensor™ saves time and money. Watch the video: VDO and REDI-Sensor – Trademarks of the Continental Corporation Current as well as predicted tire demand has led to the opening of new original equipment and replacement tire plants across Europe. example, TechSci Research states that the European tire market sector will reach in excess of 115 million units by 2017 with the UK expected to enjoy the most growth momentum. Returning to the all-season tire market for a moment, it is also intriguing that market analysts specialists TechNavio considers that during the fve-year period between 2013 and 2018 this new market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6%. However, let us not forget that the overall performance rate of all-season tires is lower when compared with winter tires, which I believe could prove a sticking point to these long-term growth predictions. In 2012, worldwide tire sales totalled U.S. $190 billion, of which U.S. $60 billion was atributed to Europe (according to TechNavio). To be honest, it has been hard to track down reliable statistics for the coming 12 months. However, at least one major European tire manufacturer has gone on record to state that in 2013 there had been an encouraging 3% recovery rate in sales and an additional rise by 4% is predicted in 2014. Which adds further fuel to my opinion that the next year is certainly going to be an interesting and possibly eventful period in the European tire market. From what I can see, the global tire markets view Europe as a trading continent in transition at the moment which is probably infuenced by the constant media focus on the euro which appears to still be recovering (slowly) from a recent recession. To combat this statement you only have to talk with tire producers, wholesalers and retailers across Europe — which I have done — and you will fnd a much more optimistic atitude toward the immediate future. Tis positive opinion is very much fuelled by the recent developments that have taken place around the European continent which includes the opening of new OE and replacement tire plants by leading major producers which we are led to believe is by demand. At the same time I was recently invited to the opening of a totally new tire production facility concept incorporating both truck tire production and tire recycling procedures in Germany which I will be covering in the February edition of Modern Tire Dealer. Reflecting on all the information I have been able to discover, it would be a brave man (not me!) to predict exactly how the sales market will fare in Europe in 2014. ■ John Stone has been working within the global tire industry for the past 20 years. In 2004 he launched his own company, Sapphire Media Services, as a business media consultant with clients around the globe. Stone also writes for tire and automotiverelated publications in Europe, South Afica and Asia. Like us at facebook.com/REDISensor 62 Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 11136 MTD January 2014