Passenger tire replacement tire shipments include all domestically produced and imported tires shipped to the Canadian replacement market.  It includes all sizes and types of tires designed for standard highway passenger vehicles, including P-Metric tires designed for light trucks.  The data represents shipments from tire manufacturers and importers to retail stores, tire distributors and dealers.  The data may not indicate actual retail tire sales in any given year.  The data is based on RAC industry aggregate reports, with estimates made to account for shipments from companies not participating in the RAC.

The Canadian market for passenger tires grew 4.4% in 2008 and 5.9% in 2009, with much of the growth accredited to increased winter tire shipments.  The market declined 16.1% in 2010, significantly adjusting from reduced shipments of winter tires.

Shipments to the Original Equipment vehicle manufacturers is tied directly to the strength of the Canadian Automotive Assembly  market.  In 2008 and 2009 we saw significant declines, with a partial recovery in 2010.