(Reuters) -French tyre maker Michelin reported on Wednesday a 4.6% decrease in sales, slightly below expectations, citing a decline in volumes, mainly in its truck and speciality tyres division.

Sales came in at 6.64 billion euros ($7.09 billion) for the first three months of 2024, compared with 6.96 billion euros reported last year.

Analysts were expecting 6.68 billion euros in sales on average, according to a company-provided consensus.

The French group, which makes tyres used in cars, aircraft, bicycles and industrial equipment, reported a 4.1% decline in volumes throughout the quarter, attributing it to "soft overall demand". Analysts had anticipated a 3.4% volume drop.

German competitor Continental in April reported revenue and profit margin below market expectations for the first quarter.

Europe's auto industry body ACEA reported a 5.2% year-on-year decrease in new car sales in March in the European Union, the first decline this year and the biggest since July 2022.

Michelin confirmed its 2024 guidance, aiming for a segment operating income of 3.5 billion euros.

($1 = 0.9362 euros)

(Reporting by Mathias de Rozario and Stéphanie Hamel; Editing by Jane Merriman and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)