The company's analysts suggest that imports of secondhand cars will fall to around 350,000, compared to the more than 820,000 used cars that flooded Poland after EU accession, and new sales will stabilize at roughly 320,000.
They calculate that there will be 12.3 million cars on Polish roads by the end of 2005, an increase of 3.4 percent. Goodyear believes that the replacement-driven market for car tires in Poland will increase by 3.1 percent over 2004.
Goodyear Group Polska's sales director Jacek Pryczek said: "We estimate that 7.6 million new tires will be bought this year to replace used tires."
Based on data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS) and the Samar car-market research company, it is predicted that the greatest growth will be in summer H-class tires, which are speed-rated at up 210 kilometers per hour.
The manufacturer predicts 12.1 percent more tires of this kind will be sold this year.
The Goodyear Group also expects a 2.4 percent growth in the number of winter tires sold as drivers become more aware of the dangers associated with failing to changeover from summer tires.
Goodyear is the major shareholder of Dębica SA, the company's third-biggest plant in the world.
John Todd
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