Michelin, Renault show November car sector boost

Data from French carmaker Renault and tyre company Michelin showed drivers flocked in November to take advantage of various car-scrapping incentive schemes that are drawing to an end.

But tyre sales showed that the truck market – hard hit by the global downturn and not affected by government scrapping incentive schemes – was still suffering.

Renault, whose European sales rose 43.4 per cent in November, said worldwide passenger car and light commercial vehicle sales were up 32.2 per cent in the month year-on-year, after a 16.8 per cent rise in October.

The figures compared to tough final months for carmakers last year, and meant Renault's sales were down 5.9 per cent in the first 11 months of 2009 to 2.10 million vehicles, with passenger car sales down 2.1 per cent to 1.85 million vehicles.

Tyre maker Michelin, meanwhile, said original equipment tyre sales for light vehicles rose 19.9 per cent in November in Europe, 9.4 per cent in North America, while the real boom came in China with 64.1 per cent growth.

Replacement tyre sales were up 9.2 per cent in Europe, 10.5 per cent in North America and 21 per cent in China.

Although still globally weak, these figures were encouraging. Thanks to easy comparatives, figures are good, especially for light vehicles, said a trader, referring to Michelin's figures.

"In trucks, original equipment is disappointing but replacement figures, while still weak in North America, are improving well in Europe and are paving the way for a recovery," he said.

Original equipment truck tyre sales fell 23 per cent in Europe and 35 per cent in North America, but soared 54 per cent in China, according to Michelin's website. Replacement tyre sales fell 6.4 per cent in Europe and 3.2 per cent in North America, rising 16.4 per cent in China.

Overall European new passenger car sales rose 26.6 per cent in November, after a slump in the same month last year, auto industry association ACEA said on Tuesday.

Renault shares were up 0.5 per cent at €35.93 by 1015 GMT, while Michelin shares rose 1.6 per cent to €54.34, against a DJ Stoxx European Autos Index up 1.2 per cent.