Apollo’s Satish Sharma elected ATMA chairman
ATMA (the Indian Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association) has appointed Satish Sharma, Apollo Tyres Ltd’s president, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA as the body’s next chairman.
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Ceat Bangladesh project confirmed
Indian manufacturer Ceat Tyres is establishing a tyre factory in Bangladesh, according to local news source BDNews24. The Mumbai-based parent company of Ceat, RPG Group, has reportedly signed a joint venture agreement with AK Khan to set up the plant with an initial investment of $67 million.
Continental selected as ‘approved’ Mercedes-Benz aftermarket brand in India
Original equipment tyre approvals are standard practice in the automotive industry, however vehicle manufacturers’ influence on later replacement tyre choice is generally restricted to passive recommendation via OE tyre selection. Mercedes-Benz is taking a more hands-on approach in India, and has teamed up with Continental to offer a range of approved products for replacement tyre customers.
Design and architecture award for Apollo R&D centre
A second design-related acknowledgement has been bestowed upon Apollo Tyres’ Global R&D Centre, Asia. The facility, which opened last November and is located just outside the Indian city of Chennai, has gained an NDTV Design & Architecture Award 2016 in the ‘Architecture Award, Office’ category.
MRF Tyres to supply Australian Rally Championship
MRF Tyres has been named the official tire supplier for the CAMS Australian Rally Championship (ARC), Australia’s national rally championship series.
US puts duties on Indian and Sri Lankan OTR tyres
On 4 January 2017The US Department of Commerce (DOC) made final determinations in the countervailing duty investigations of imported off-the-road (OTR) tyres from India and Sri Lanka. In the India countervailing duty investigation, the DOC calculated a final subsidy rate of 5.36 per cent for mandatory respondent Balkrishna Industries and a final subsidy rate of 4.9 per cent for mandatory respondent ATC Tires. The government agency established a subsidy rate of 5.06 per cent for all other producers/exporters in India. In the Sri Lanka countervailing duty investigation, the DOC calculated a final subsidy rate of 2.18 per cent for mandatory respondent Camso Loadstar and for all other producers/exporters in Sri Lanka.
Reliance-Sibur JV to set up halogenated butyl unit
Reliance Sibur Elastomers Private Limited (RSEPL), a joint venture between Russian gas and petrochemicals company Sibur and India’s Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), has announced plans to establish southern Asia’s first halogenated butyl rubber unit at RIL’s integrated petrochemical facility in Jamnagar, India. Halogenated butyl is a key ingredient in the manufacture of tubless tyre inner liners.
New factory: MRF signs agreement with regional government
News of MRF Ltd.’s plan to set up a new factory in India’s Gujarat state first circulated towards the end of 2015, and now the tyre maker reports signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the state government that sets out its in-principle intention to erect a manufacturing facility there.
Bridgestone taking on India’s two-wheel market with Neurun tyre brand
The two-wheeler segment dominates India’s vehicle market and is said to be growing at a CAGR of 8.5 per cent. With an estimated 150 million two-wheel vehicles on the country’s roads, demand for replacement tyres is high. Bridgestone Corporation is now competing for a piece of this market with a new brand of motorcycle and scooter tyres, Neurun. The rollout of the Neurun product portfolio began in August 2016 with the introduction of five sizes and nine SKUs, a range that caters to around 70 per cent of market demand in India.
Looking forward to level playing field – Titan International testifies in duty hearing
Titan International’s final injury hearing before the US International Trade Commission (ITC) took place on 4 January, and today the company will file a post hearing brief. The off-road tyre specialist says it “remains optimistic” that the ITC will issue a final affirmative determination in these cases.
Ceat to increase tyre capacity
Ceat, the Indian tyre manufacturer, has announced plans to increase production of truck and bus, passenger car and two-wheeler tyres. According to local news sources, the company said it will invest approximately 2,800 crore rupees over a five-year period leading up to 2022.
Ruia Group chairman taken into police custody
Numerous media outlets in India have reported the arrest of Pawan Ruia, chairman of the Ruia Group of companies, whose assets include in-liquidation tyre maker Dunlop India Ltd. Ruia was arrested on Friday in response to a complaint of cheating and criminal breach of trust filed against him by Indian Railways. He is currently in the custody of West Bengal Police’s Criminal Investigation Department.
MRF exhibiting at Tyre & Rubber Indonesia 2017
MRF Tyre has confirmed it will exhibit at Tyre & Rubber Indonesia 2017 from 29 March – 1 April 2017 at JIExpo Kemayoran Jakarta, Indonesia.
Point S expands into India
After the announcement of the launch of Point S in Malaysia, Point S has expanded further into Asia, namely India. Point S concept will be implemented in India through Master Franchise Agreements with three regional partners who will be covering 5 of the most dynamic States: Deviate Enterprises for the Nation Capital Territory of Delhi and Punjab; GIAAN International for Maharashtra and Goa; and Tyrekada for Kerala.
Point S capitalising on growing Indian tyre market
The recent launch of Point S in Malaysia has been followed by the tyre retail chain’s entry into a further market within the region. The rollout of Point S in India will be implemented through Master Franchise Agreements, with three regional partners covering the five Indian states that Point S considers the “most dynamic.”
