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Battery market under pressure

In the past we have often commented on the similarities between the battery and tyre markets, notably in the problems faced by both and their reactions to these. One such appears to be a sharp increase in the number of batteries entering the market from the Far East. It is true that many manufacturers in the tyre industry have moved their production to low-cost countries and they are not alone – witness the recent spate of press reports revealing that more and more call centres are deserting the UK and relocating to India – so why should this not be the case for batteries? After all, if all markets are faced with the same economic realities, then is it surprising that their responses are similar?Undoubtedly, there is an element of this in the figures, but no doubt some of the increase is due to products being made by companies originally based in Asia and sold aggressively on the European market.Battery imports from Asia to the EU rose last year by five per cent, to 7.3 million units. Not far behind were imports from Eastern Europe, which were up by four per cent.Most dramatic was the performance of China, which is now Europe’s main Asian importer, with 2.4 million batteries sold in the EU last year; an increase of 38 per cent over the previous year. But it is not only China, as batteries are coming into the EU from South Korea, Indonesia and Taiwan. In the UK aftermarket, Asian battery imports now account for over 50 per cent of all UK imports.

8th July 2003/by Tyrepress Editors

Massive Leap In Indian Car Sales

Car sales in India rose by 41 per cent in May, following an excise duty cut of eight per cent. Unit sales in May totalled 55,166, compared with 39,150 units for May last year.

18th June 2003/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Eyeing Up India?

Reports in the Indian press suggest that Michelin has embarked on a tyre market analysis to determine whether it is worthwhile investing in a manufacturing facility in India. In 2000, Michelin was said to be considering an investment of Rupees 500 crore (around 90.5 million Euros) in a manufacturing facility, but the scheme fell through due to the low level of radialisation in the market.

3rd June 2003/by Tyrepress Editors

Automotive Round-Up – First Quarter 2003

What of the major vehicle markets? We kick off with what has been happening in the automotive world in the first three months. Additional figures are now available from the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) for tyre production in the main markets for 2002 for car tyres and for commercial vehicle tyres.

14th May 2003/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Launches Tubeless Radials For Indian Market

In India, Goodyear has launched a range of tubeless radial tyres, designed specifically for Indian road conditions. The tyres will fit Indian vehicles such as the Maruti 800, Santro, Ikon and Honda City and the aim is to improve fuel efficiency and safety.

2nd May 2003/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental And Metro In Co-Branding Agreement

Continental and Indian company Metro Tyres are to manufacture motorcycle and scooter tyres under the joint brand name Continental-Metro for the Indian market. Initially, Metro will produce 100,000 tyres and tubes a month for 100cc and 110cc motorcycles, with tyres for 150cc and 180cc bikes coming on stream later. Half of the production offtake will be marketed in Europe and North America – these tyres will carry the Continental name only. Production is set to begin in May and the initial investment is 30 crore Rupees, or around US$ 6.3 million. The arrangement between the com panies will be purely a technology deal for the first three years, after which the companies may explore a possible equity partnership.

27th March 2003/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Looking For Acquisitions

Armed with a US$35 million loan from Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI), in Washington, Apollo Tyres India is on the lookout for acquisitions. The company’s Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Kanwar Singh, said the company was open for acquiring tyre companies in the country and was in talks with a number of them. “There is no time frame for going for acquisition, but we are open to the idea,” he said.Apollo Tyres is aiming to bring down its borrowing cost by 50 per cent from current levels and is confident to reach a turnover of US$415 million during the current financial year. Commenting on reducing borrowing cost, Kanwar Singh said, “Not only we are expecting a steep fall in borrowing cost, but measures like a cost cutting drive will also bring in much better control.”

11th February 2003/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone And MRF Tie In Indian JD Power Test

For the second year running, Bridgestone and MRF Tyres have tied in first place in the JD Power Asia Pacific 2003 India Tire Customer Satisfaction Index Study, which examines customer satisfaction with originally-fitted tyres after 12 to 18 months of ownership. 2,700 owners were quizzed on 15 different attributes. The overall average score improved by 28 points over last year, reflecting the efforts made to enhance customer satisfaction. Top score was 768 (maximum = 1,000) and Bridgestone and MRF were closely followed by JK Tyres (766, just above the industry average of 764). Goodyear scored 751 and CEAT was the lowest, with 730.

6th February 2003/by Tyrepress Editors

Changes At Goodyear India

Antonio M. Capellini has been named as the new Chairman and Managing Director of Goodyear India. Capellini previously headed Goodyear commercial OE operations in Brazil. He replaces Luis Ceneviz who is moving to Goodyear in Australia.

17th January 2003/by Tyrepress Editors

J. K. Tyre – 25 Years Of Leadership

India’s largest four wheeler tyre manufacturer celebrates its silver jubilee. J. K. Tyre is a division of J. K. Industries, which is itself a flagship company of the J. K. organisation; one of the largest industrial groups in India. As well as tyres, the group’s manufacturing activities include paper, cement, textiles, hybrid seeds, cosmetics, power transmission – the list is as varied as it is extensive. J. K. Tyre was established in 1977 and has established itself as India’s number one manufacturer of tyres for four wheel vehicles under the JK Tyre and Vikrant brands. In this sector, J. K. Tyre claims a domestic market share of 20.8%. In the truck and bus tyre market, which accounts for around 80% of the Indian tyre market by value, J. K. Tyre claims a market-leading 25.8% share.In 1997, J. K. Industries took a major strategic decision to acquire Vikrant Tyres Ltd., an ailing tyre manufacturer. With the input of J. K. Tyre’s expertise, systems, marketing and work practices, Vikrant achieved a remarkable turnaround, returning to profit after only ten months. Today, J. K. Tyre has four Indian production facilities, with a capacity of 5.5 million tyres. This growth is set to continue, with production over the next two or three years rising to some eight million tyres. The company also boasts India’s first, and only, all-steel truck and bus radial plant. Being a pioneer of radial technology involved J. K. Tyres in a great deal of hard work and effort to spread the word about the benefits of radials, but this has been rewarded as the J. K. Tyre brand is strongly associated with radial tyres. The company’s marketing strategy was focused on offering high performance radials with service being the brand differentiator.One aspect of this was the establishment of a chain of retail outlets, offering a one-stop sales and service centre. Going under the name “Steel Wheels”, there are more than 100 such outlets in India and J. K. Tyre claims that they have revolutionised tyre retailing in India – offering services such as wheel balancing and alignment and advice on tyre care by well-trained technical staff. Another marketing initiative is the “Dial-a-Tyre” service, which allows customers to have tyres delivered and fitted in the comfort of their own homes. This is the latest in a line of innovations, which includes India’s first T-rated tyre, the first H-rated tyre and the country’s first Dual Contact tyre, the “Aquasonic”. The company manufactures a range of tyres to suit all four-wheel applications, from cars to trucks and buses, agricultural vehicles and tractors, plus there is also a range of tyres for animal-drawn vehicles. Both radial and bias ply tyres are produced.

9th January 2003/by Tyrepress Editors

$35 Million Loan For Apollo Tyres

Apollo Tyres, India’s second-largest tyre manufacturer, has negotiated a $35 million loan from the International Finance Corporation and banks as part of a two-year, $51 million investment plan. $20 million will come from the IFC and the remainder from participating banks. The money will fund the set up of a new truck radial tyre plant in Gujarat and an increase in capacity of Apollo’s two existing plants in Kerala. The radial technology will be supplied under an agreement with Continental AG.

12th December 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Indian Merger Moves Closer

The proposed merger between JK Industries, India’s third-biggest tyre manufacturer, and Vikrant Tyres, initiated in 1997 when JK bought the majority of Vikrant shares, has moved a step closer with the announcement that Vikrant stockholders would receive two JK shares for every five outstanding Vikrant shares held. No timescale or deadline was discussed. The merged business would have around 25 per cent of the Indian commercial vehicle tyre market, says JK Industries.

8th October 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Ceat To Import Pirelli To India

Indian manufacturer Ceat Ltd has caused a stir by agreeing to outsource some 10,000 tyres per month from Pirelli. Recently Indian companies have sought to find cheaper alternative products by buying from other, lower cost markets but this move goes against the trend with Ceat importing higher cost, higher quality products from a world leading brand. The reasons are said to be to fill the gap left by the collapse of the Ceat – Goodyear JV to produce radials and to try and give the company a foothold in the growing radial tyre market without setting up another manufacturing operation in India. It may also offer a low risk opportunity to test the Indian market’s capacity for high quality, high cost premium brand products. The outcome of the exercise may alter the nature of the Indian tyre market according to some commentators.

3rd September 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Possible Merger In India

There are reports that Indian companies JK Industries and Vikrant Tyres Ltd. are exploring the possibilities of a merger to form one tyre company. JK Industries has outlined the plan to its lender, the Industrial Development Bank of India and is awaiting a response, while Vikrant has proposed a number of restructuring scenarios to its directors, one of which involves a merger with JKI.

21st August 2002/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo To Build New Radial Plant

India’s second-largest tyre manufacturer, Apollo Tyres, is to invest 1.1 billion Rupees (24.7 m Euro) in a plant to make radial truck and bus tyres. The plant will be sited at Baroda, in Gujarat, next to an existing Apollo factory and will use technology from Continental, with whom Apollo has an existing collaboration. Apollo claims a 25 per cent share of the truck and bus tyre market but poor infrastructure and a large number of two-axle vehicles mean that radialisation in this sector is a very low 2 per cent.

8th May 2002/by Tyrepress Editors