Replacement tire shipments for light vehicles in the United States climbed 3.8% year-over-year in June 2026, according to statistics released by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) on July 13. The June uptick reverses a 2.9% year-over-year decline that was recorded in May.
The USTMA figures show a mixed picture across market segments. Replacement commercial truck tire sales declined 7.3% year-over-year in June, although that result represented an improvement relative to the broader January through June trend, where sales had fallen 12.9% compared with the prior year.
When looking at original equipment (OEM) shipments, the USTMA reported original equipment light-vehicle tire shipments were down 1.4% year-over-year for June, while original equipment commercial truck tire shipments rose 2.1% in the same month.
For the cumulative period from January through June, total sales were 4.6% lower than in the first half of 2025.
The USTMA dataset cited in the release includes reporting from member companies, which the association says comprise four Japanese tire manufacturers. The figures exclude imported tires from companies that are not USTMA members. Morgan Stanley warned that low-price imports not captured in the USTMA reporting remain a factor to watch.
In commentary tied to the data, Morgan Stanley said the shipment trajectory suggests inventory adjustments among dealerships and distribution channels are approaching completion. The firm described that development as neutral for the tire industry.
Morgan Stanley also highlighted that input costs and vehicle usage patterns continue to play a role in tire market dynamics. The firm noted that crude oil price volatility affects raw material costs for tire production, and that movements in gasoline prices can alter vehicle mileage patterns, which in turn influence replacement cycles for tires.
Taken together, the USTMA's June release points to a rebound in replacement light-vehicle tire shipments after a month of contraction, while commercial truck replacement tires and OEM light-vehicle shipments showed softer results in June. The six-month sales decline underscores continuing headwinds in the early part of 2026.