Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. saw a modest decline in net income for 2012, but posted record fourth quarter and full-year sales.

For the year, Cooper listed sales at $4.20 billion, up from 2011’s $3.91 billion. The fourth quarter saw record period sales of $1.1 billion, 2% ahead of 2011’s final frame.

Net income for 2012 of $220.4 million was down from 2011’s $253.5 million, heavily due to the fourth quarters in both years; in 2011, Cooper posted a fourth quarter net income of $209 million, while the most recent fourth quarter saw a net income of just $72.9 million.

Cooper’s North American tire operations posted record net sales of $3.1 billion, increasing $258 million from the prior year.

“Despite challenging global economic and industry conditions, our employees around the world continued to execute our strategic initiatives including diversifying our channel and product mix for light vehicle tires as well as expanding volumes in the truck-bus radial tire segment,” said chairman and CEO Roy Armes.

“Due in large part to successful product launches and demand for our products, the company has increased unit volumes and outpaced the industry in our key markets for the full year. Among other achievements in our International segment during 2012, we completed the purchase of tire manufacturing assets in Serbia, a facility that has already produced its one millionth tire and was responsible for driving volume growth for the total International segment in the fourth quarter."

“Looking ahead, we view 2013 with cautious optimism,” Armes said. “We expect economic and industry headwinds to continue and we believe the company will continue to effectively leverage our global footprint to deliver our strategic plan.”