Dealers anticipate improving trends over the next three months

摘要

According to the results of our survey, demand for passenger and light truck replacement tires was essentially flat in October despite a slightly adverse calendar shift and headwinds from uncertainty surrounding the presidential election. From a volume standpoint, the dealers reported they sold about the same number of tires in October relative to the previous year's period, following a healthy increase in September and a marginal increase in August. October s performance was aided by higher employment levels and low fuel prices, but these factors were offset by drier and warmer weather in key cold weather markets. As a reminder, the lack of a harsh 2015/2016 winter was a real headwind to demand trends throughout the first six months of the year, especially given the tough comparisons from the previous two years. Dealers across the Great Lakes, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions believe this factor has created pent-up demand, which should be released when Old Man Winter returns.