The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), along with Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) and India Tyre Technical Advisory Committee (ITTAC), conducted a ‘Road Safety Advocacy for Tyres’ seminar on 29 October 2021. 

The virtual seminar was the third and final part of the ‘Tri Series Seminar’ aimed at spreading awareness on various aspects of tyre care, road safety and sustainability as part of the road safety mission initiated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India. The first edition of the seminar series was on ‘Tyre Care & Road Safety’ and the second part was a seminar on ‘Technology and Environmental Challenges’.

The seminar saw participation from various industry leaders and government officials. The Deputy Secretary of MoRTH, Gaurav H Gupta, was the Guest of Honour and the presidential address was given by ATMA Chairman Anshuman Singhania. Rajiv Budhraja, Director General of ATMA; Sudharshan Gusain, Convenor of Safety-SC, ITTAC and Niteesh K Shukla, Director, ITTAC, further addressed the inaugural session.

Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, said, “Tyres, surprisingly, are the most neglected, yet the most regulated and the most used part of any vehicle. If we are talking about sustainability, it is important that the industry collectively puts in efforts to develop environmentally friendly tyres. Objective of this series was to impart knowledge and create awareness among motorists on tyre safety, technology and the upcoming regulations for the automobile industry. I want to thank MoRTH for supporting this seminar on ‘Road safety advocacy for Tyres’.”

Jagdish Hedge, Director and Senior Vice President – IEBCI, Isuzu Motors India, ran the first presentation on ‘Challenges with the localization program under Aatmanirbhar’. He talked about the Indian tyre industry and the changes it is going through in terms of volume and demand.

PK Mohamed, Chief Advisor, Research and Technology, Apollo Tyres, conducted the second presentation on ‘Tyre Technology – Past, Present and Future’. He talked about innovations, new materials and technologies coming up in the tyre industry.

Amit Karwal, Deputy General Manager, ICAT, carried out the third presentation on ‘Readiness of test infrastructure for standards & labelling program’ and spoke about the tests adopted by the Indian tyre industry along with the testing infrastructure and AIS regulations in India. 

Bharat Sharma Additional Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), conducted the fourth presentation on ‘Lifecycle assessment in automobile value chain’ and stressed on the processes involved and present case scenario in the automobile value chain. 

Dr Thomas Becherer Manager – Standards and Regulations, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Continental Tyre (Europe), ran the fifth presentation on ‘Emerging trends in Global tyre regulations for sustainable growth’ and spoke about the different certifications on tyres and the challenges faced by the tyre industry globally.

The presentation sessions were moderated by VK Misra, Technical Director of JK Tyre, and TC Kamath, Deputy General Manager of MRF. (TT)

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Indian tyre maker to pass full benefit of tax cuts to customers from 22 September

CEAT Limited said on Thursday it would reduce prices across its entire tyre range following the Indian government’s decision to cut goods and services tax (GST) rates on tyres, with the full benefit being passed on to customers.

The Mumbai-based tyre manufacturer said new prices would take effect from 22 September, covering commercial, agricultural, passenger vehicle and two-wheeler segments.

India’s 56th GST Council meeting approved significant reductions in tax rates for the tyre industry. GST on new pneumatic tyres was cut to 18% from 28%, whilst tractor tyres and tubes will attract a reduced rate of 5%.

“We thank the Government of India and the GST Council for their timely and progressive decision to rationalise tax rates in the tyre sector,” said Arnab Banerjee, Managing Director & CEO of CEAT Limited.

“The reduced GST slabs will greatly benefit the tyre industry and consumers alike. Not only will it lower the cost of owning and operating a vehicle for customers across various segments, but by making tyres more affordable to replace, it will also make our roads safer.”

Banerjee added the move would “spur formalisation and greater compliance, while also fostering sustainable growth in the sector.”

The GST rate cuts represent a significant policy shift for India’s automotive sector, where high taxation has been a longstanding concern for manufacturers and consumers.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has been officially recognised as a DX Certified Business Operator by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The designation, which was granted on 1 September 2025, identifies companies that are thoroughly prepared for digital transformation as outlined by the Digital Governance Code.

This certification acknowledges Yokohama Rubber's comprehensive strategy for digital transformation, which is built on three core objectives: advancing business strategy, contributing to sustainability and reinforcing its IT infrastructure. Central to this effort is the company's proprietary AI framework, HAICoLab (Humans and AI ColLaborate), which drives group-wide digital initiatives. These include improving productivity, innovating processes, developing digital talent and building a global cloud-based IT system. The certification confirms that the company's efforts not only meet METI's stringent criteria but also demonstrate appropriate disclosure of information to its stakeholders.

Moving forward, the company said it will continue to leverage data from its entire value chain to adapt to a dynamic business environment. The company aims to enhance customer value, pursue sustainable innovation and transform its corporate culture to strengthen its competitive position and ensure long-term growth.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

TyresNmore, the automotive aftermarket e-commerce platform owned by RPG Group, has promoted Rakesh Tatikonda to Chief Executive Officer and announced the change with immediate effect.

Tatikonda, who previously oversaw business operations at the Mumbai-based firm, will spearhead the organisation’s expansion and innovation strategy. The appointment advances RPG Group’s ‘Talent First!’ policy, which rewards internal promotions and develops employees.

The new chief executive brings over 15 years of industry experience, having worked across multiple sectors with companies such as telecommunications giant Reliance Jio and IT services provider Infosys. Before joining TyresNmore in 2022, Tatikonda held senior positions at tyre manufacturer CEAT, where he developed expertise in strategy, operations, marketing and digital transformation.

“My aim is to transform automotive aftercare in India by offering seamless, tech-driven, end-to-end mobility solutions delivered with trust, transparency, and convenience right at the customer’s doorstep,” Tatikonda said in a statement.

TyresNmore operates a doorstep service model for tyre and battery replacement across six major Indian cities: Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai. The platform represents RPG Group’s entry into the growing automotive aftermarket sector, which has seen increased digitisation as consumers seek convenient maintenance solutions.

During his tenure in operations, Tatikonda scaled the business and improved profitability while driving digital transformation initiatives. His track record shows he strengthened operational efficiency and enhanced customer experience in the mobility convenience sector.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Vaculug, Europe’s largest independent retreader producing high-quality OTR and truck retread tyres for fleets across the UK and Europe, has expanded its UK presence by acquiring Tyrefair in Kinross, Scotland.

This strategic acquisition extends the company's award-winning service further north, ensuring Scottish customers receive the same high-quality OTR and truck retread tyres Vaculug has supplied for 75 years. Since the purchase, the Kinross location has already grown by 25 percent, with an ambitious target to double its business within a year and then double it again.

This move is a key part of Vaculug's 2026 growth strategy, focused on strategic acquisitions that enable better, faster and more sustainable customer service. The acquisition reinforces Vaculug’s long-standing environmental mission, marking a new chapter of sustainable growth with a strengthened Scottish operation.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!