January 2006 saw total tyre production in India rise 9 per cent to 5,623,048 tyres compared with January 2005. The figures calculated by the Indian Tyre Manufacturer’s association (ATMA) show that motorcycle tyre sales were up 15 per cent totalling 1,801,839 units. This particularly rapid growth is largely explained by the reclassification of moped tyres under the motorcycle heading, but also signifies production growth in the segment.

Passenger car tyre production increased to 1,230,869 units up 16 per cent from the same time last year. Truck and bus and light truck production increased to 946,730 (up 8 per cent) and 352,967 (up 14 per cent) respectively. Perhaps unsurprisingly in light of the current global shortage, OTR tyre production increased 37 per cent to 10,811 units in January.