High fuel efficiency, coupled with easy maintenance and smooth driving experience are bolstering the demand for radial tyres in the country The burgeoning demand for vehicles in the country has fuelled the demand for tyres, particularly in the radial segment, with tyre majors such as Michelin, Ceat, Bridgestone etc eyeing massive investment to set up plants for manufacturing radial tyres. According to a survey conducted by Machinist360, a whopping 100% of the respondents feel that the demand for radial tyres will increase in the coming days.
 The Government of India’s move of freeing radial tyres from the ‘restricted list’ of imports in May this year has further fuelled the demand for such tyres. If figures from the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) are to be believed, radialisation in the passenger car segment is anticipated to reach 100% in the next 2-3 years, while that in the commercial vehicle segment is also expected to rise.Advantages of radial tyres
In this context, A S Mehta, marketing director of J K Tyres and Industries Ltd, while speaking to a Machinist360 correspondent, said, “One of the major factors boosting the demand for radial tyres is its high fuel efficiency,which attractsconsumers towards vehicles fitted with radial tyres. Moreover, as compared to traditional cross ply tyres, radial tyres offer better mileage.”
Industry people opine that greater longevity of radial tyres, coupled with easy maintenance as compared to traditional tyres is another major factor boosting their demand. In this context, Mohan Madanlal, managing director of Lal Tyres Pvt Ltd, a mid-sized tyre dealer in Chennai, said, “Radial tyres facilitate steering process of vehicles and driving becomes a lot easier. Also, these tyres can be remoulded at least thrice as compared to traditional tyres.”
However, high cost still remains a critical factor in manufacturing of these tyres as they involve capital intensive techniques, which make their selling price quite high. Meanwhile, growth in the commercial vehicle segment is further expected to bolster the radial tyre industry.
Arup Choudhury |
