Through the first six months of 2023, U.S. sales of light vehicles topped 7.68 million units, an increase of 13 percent compared with the first six months of 2022, according to market research firm GlobalData. Depending on the outcome of the UAW’s strike against the Detroit Three automakers, sales for the year could range from 15.1 million to 15.4 million units, an increase of 9 to 11 percent over last year.
If that holds true, automakers will need more than 61 million wheels this year, and that doesn’t count aftermarket replacements and upgrades. That’s a lot of wheels.