The RMA said that 2006 should show “steady economic growth in the consumer and commercial sectors,” but it has downgraded its shipment prediction because of decreases in OE markets. RMA projects continued annualized growth of about 1.7% for total tire shipments through 2011.

Combined 2006 OE and replacement market shipments – passenger and commercial – should increase by 3.8 million units to nearly 325 million tires, up from 2005’s 320.8 million total units, RMA said. By 2011, shipments should reach 352 million tires.