Conti said UK consumer tyre sales moved downmarket

ERJ staff report (DS)

London -- Continental's UK unit said sales of consumer tyres in the UK held up in terms of numbers, but sales of premium tyres suffered at the expense of cheaper brands. The company said motorists were choosing cheaper tyres as they becme more cost-conscious.

Conti also noted that fleet managers were extending the life of the vehicles in their fleets, while the government-funded scrappage scheme had triggered a disproportionate increase in sales of small, light cars, at the wexpense of larger, heavier vehicles.

Conti said these two trends, comined with an increasing move to eco-branded models within the large ranges, such as Golf or Mercedes, will lead to greater demand for smaller, lower-speed-rated tyres over the coming years

Currently, said the company in a presentation to journalists, smaller rim sizes continue to decline in popularity while larger diameters increase. All sizes of 15-inch and below have consistently declined over the last three years, while all sizes of 16-inch and above have increased.

The same trend is seen in the van sector, said the company.