Market trends

Last update : March 19, 2026

In Original equipment, at the end of February and on a cumulative basis, demand has declined. It is particularly pronounced in China, where subsidies and tax exemptions for new vehicle purchases are less attractive than in 2025. The North American market is down, largely due to adverse weather conditions early in the year, while Europe remains stable.

In Original equipment, at the end of February and on a cumulative basis, the global market (excluding China) is down. North American demand remains very weak, continuing the trend from 2025: although orders for new trucks are improving, manufacturers’ inventory levels remain high and will take several more months to return to normal. The European market continues the recovery that began in mid-2025. In South America, the Brazilian market remains severely hampered by a difficult economic situation that is limiting investment by carriers and by limited prospects for exports to North America.

Tire market estimates reflect sell-in data published by local tiremaker associations, plus Michelin’s own estimates of sales by tire manufacturers that do not belong to any association. These estimates are based primarily on import-export statistics and are expressed in the number of tires sold. They are regularly adjusted and may be updated following their initial publication.