Indian Tyre Production, Exports Up in H1, 2010 – ATMA

During the first six months of its current financial year, India produced some 28 per cent more tyres than a year earlier. Data from national industry organisation the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (produced using information supplied by its eight member companies, who account for around 90 per cent of the country’s tyre production) states that 9.53 million tyres rolled out of ATMA member factories in India between April 1 and September 30 this year; in the same months of 2009 just 7.44 million tyres were produced. According to ATMA, production increased across all tyre market segments, the largest expansion being seen in the motor scooter segment, where production grew 67 per cent year-on-year. Passenger car tyre production in India increased 41 per cent to 2.09 million, while light commercial vehicle and truck/bus tyre production grew two and five per cent respectively. A total of 1.27 million truck/bus tyres were produced in the April to September period.

Export quantities also rose during the half-year. ATMA figures indicate an 18 per cent year-on-year increase in overall tyre exports between April and September, although exports of light commercial vehicle and truck/bus and tractor tyres were lower than a year earlier, the two segments declining five per cent and 16 per cent respectively. On the other hand, exports of Indian industrial tyres shot up 1,956 per cent, with 9,156 tyres exported in the first half of the financial year, as opposed to merely 445 tyres a year earlier. Two-wheeler/moped tyre exports increased 456 per cent to 3,100, while passenger car tyre exports grew 26 per cent.