The truck tire market in Romania grew by about 32 percent in first half of 2011, reaching about 175,000 units, due to the revival of goods transport activities this year, according to Alina Ghica, Marketing Director of Michelin Romania and the Balkans. The tire market for passenger cars, vans and 4x4 cars also increased by approximately 18 percent in the first six months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, reaching around 1.6 million units.

“In Romania, compared with other countries in the region, the share of premium tires form the total tires has increased considerably; this segment currently represents nearly half of the total market”, said Alina Ghica.

In Romania and the Balkans, the truck tire market grew in the first half of 2011 by about 25 percent, to around 360,000 units, while tire market for passenger cars, vans and 4x4 increased by about 14 percent, to over 4 million units.

At a group level, Michelin’s sales volumes increased with 12.6 percent, with an operating income up 18 percent, to EUR 971 million, according to the company.

For the entire 2011, the group expects a growth in sales volume of around 8 percent, while the price increases announced or implemented to date are expected to offset estimated additional full-year costs of around EUR 1.8 billion.

However, Michelin reaffirmed its objective to report higher operating income in 2011, the company has announced.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: 10ani.michelin.ro)