The survey’s also reveals that 2.9 million units were sold in Italy in January/February 2009. Of these, passenger car summer tyres accounted for 69.5% of total sales, followed by passenger car winter tyres (17%), light truck tyres (7.7%) and 4×4 tyres (7.1%).

The findings come as part of the first GfK Car Tires panel report, which only became available in Italy in January 2009. According to the company, the new panel audit covers the "tyre specialists" channel, with a represented "universe" of 6,550 points of sale. For the purposes of this research GfK defined tyre specialists as those retailers for who tyres and related services accounted for more than 50% of total turnover. The GfK panel only represents retailers with a minimum annual turnover of 150,000 euros. (Tyres & Accessories/Staffordshire, U.K.)