1. Please identify one significant development in the tire industry in the last 2-3 years, and explain its importance.

One of the significant developments in the tire industry is the increased performance of the tires, especially in the consumer and truck segments. This increase in efficiency has a big impact on the German tire trade replacement market. Although the vehicle fleet in Germany is increasing the overall amount of sold tires in the aftermarket remains nearly static.

2. What do you see as main obstacles to the development of the tire manufacturing industry in the coming years?

We see a problem with the future availability of the raw materials especially the natural rubber. Being a natural resource we have to keep in mind that the exploitation of natural resource for our economic growth has sometimes a negative connotation of accompanying environmental degradation. The tire manufacturing industry will have to address the issues of sustainability including the closed loop recycling management.