Included in the increase are 17.5-, 19.5-, 20- and 22.5-inch sizes.

The reason for the increase, says managing director Miroslav Plevak, is the continuing rise in raw material prices and energy costs, which impact negatively on the cost of production. "Raw material prices rose considerably last year," says Plevak, "with a particularly dramatic rise in the cost of natural rubber. Unfortunately, the outlook for the coming year is more of the same."

He went on: "The rising cost of materials and energy is a problem facing every tyre manufacturer and it is inevitable that tyre prices will have to rise. Matador has absorbed the majority of these increases over recent years, but no manufacturer can continue to do this indefinitely without raising prices."

Matador will continue to monitor the situation carefully and to reduce production costs wherever possible in order to minimise the effect on customers. It should be noted that the forthcoming price rise applies only to truck tyres; the price of Matador car tyres remains unaffected.