First of all the negative growth had contracted sharply in the second quarter. Pandemic had brought the economy to a grinding halt in the first quarter and the economy collapsed by 24%, arguably the worst contraction in modern history. The contraction eased to 7.5% in the second quarter much less than the 9-11% projected by rating agencies and the analysts. More than that, several economic indicators pointed towards a turnaround.  Be it GST collections, sales of vehicles, industrial output or generation of e-way bills - all regained lost ground in the months of Oct and Nov’20, and some even surpassed the pre-pandemic levels.

It is also evident that corporate India has responded favourably to the Government’s stimulus measures. During the second quarter, sequential recovery from the first one was visible across sectors as the lockdown restrictions eased. Some sectors were even able to bounce back to pre-COVID levels and post revenue growth on an annual basis, confirms an ICRA report.

In this context, the performance of tyre industry offers interesting insights. As the process of unlock commenced and economic activities gathered momentum, tyre industry, though badly badgered during the lockdown,  worked incessantly, braving odds, to catalyse the economic momentum. Tyre production in India was up 17% in Sept’20 in comparison to Sept’19 levels. The production of Truck & Bus tyres, often celebrated as the wheels of the economy went up by significant 39% in Sept against the year ago period.

For years, the tyre industry has been asking for policy enablers to enhance exports from the country. Government has shown political will and has taken some far-reaching policy measures in aid of the industry having appreciated the pain areas coming in the way of its full blossoming.

The industry has responded to these policy initiatives in equal measure. Notwithstanding disruption in international trade following COVID-19 pandemic and protectionist stance being adopted by countries, Indian tyre industry managed to touch a figure of nearly Rs 6000 crore in exports in the first half of the ongoing fiscal year. Impressive export performance in the second quarter compensated for the sharp drop of 23% in tyre exports experienced in Q1 bringing the overall decline down to 7% in the first half of current fiscal.

Having fallen to a low of 26 thousand units of exports in the month of April this year in view of  the lockdown, Truck & Bus Radial (TBR) tyre exports have been on their way up and reached 1.85 lakh units in Sept, the highest ever monthly exports in the category so far.

The recovery in Passenger Car Radial tyres has been rather sterling. From 9 thousand units of exports in April, PCR tyre exports touched a figure of nearly 2 lakh tyres in Sept, again a historic high for the category.  The scenario is no different in case of Motorcycle tyre exports. The month of Sept recorded exports of over 2.5 lakh units, a feat rarely achieved so far.

Farm/ Agri tyre exports from India have witnessed an impressive double digit growth in the first half of FY21 notwithstanding the lockdown. The month of Sept'20 witnessed exports of 3.9 lakh units of Agri tyres, one of the highest marks ever achieved. Moreover, the tyre exports from India have been to some of the discerning markets in the world. US and Germany are the dominant markets for Indian manufactured Farm/Agri tyres accounting for over 30% share. The US has emerged as a major recipient of TBR tyres from India. More than one-third of TBR tyre exports from India were destined for the US during the first half of the current fiscal year..

Tyre industry may provide just one of the glimpses of India’s manufacturing prowess and its ability to rise to the occasion. Recently speaking at a conclave of country's management leaders organised by All India Management Association, RC Bhargava, Maruti Suzuki India Chairman, emphatically stated that India has the capability to become a lower cost producer than China if the industry and the government work together. He rightly argued that the only objective of government policies has to be to increase the competitiveness of Indian industry..

It is hoped that the process of revival of the economy will gather momentum despite the lurking fear of disruptions caused by COVID-19. Here is wishing everyone a very Happy and Safe 2021 .May the trials and tribulations cease in the New Year.

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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.

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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.

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Nokian Tyres is expanding its US presence through a new nationwide partnership with American Tire Distributors (ATD). This agreement provides Nokian access to ATD’s vast network of over 110 distribution centres, serving roughly 80,000 customers.

The collaboration will efficiently supply tyre shops with Nokian’s complete product lineup, enabling dealers to broaden their inventory. Both companies bring 90 years of experience and a shared dedication to innovation, safety and sustainability. This partnership will offer drivers more choices, supported by Nokian’s award-winning Tennessee factory and ATD’s technology-driven logistics.

This enhanced distribution capability ensures that consumers will have greater access to a full spectrum of high-performance tyres, meeting diverse driving needs and conditions. The alliance strengthens both brands' market positions by combining premium products with an unparalleled delivery system, ultimately improving service for dealers and drivers alike across the country.

Chris Ostrander, SVP, North America, Nokian Tyres, said, “The partnership with ATD enables us to reach more tyre shops and more drivers than ever before. ATD’s robust distribution network, customer service and responsiveness strengthen our agility to serve both new and existing customers.”

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The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) has announced a new webinar series designed to advance the circular economy for end-of-life tyres (ELTs) in collaboration with the Tire Recycling Foundation. Titled ‘The Road to 100% Tire Circularity: ELTs Going Full Circle’, the initiative aims to foster the development of scalable and profitable markets for recycled tyres. The series will launch in September 2025 and continue through February 2026.

Hosted by John Sheerin, USTMA’s Senior Director of ELT Programs, each session will convene industry experts, recyclers and state policymakers. Their discussions will focus on the latest research and real-world applications that transform waste tyres into valuable resources, thereby diverting them from landfills and generating environmental, industrial and economic benefits.

The programme will explore three of the most promising markets for end-of-life tyres. It begins on 23 September 2025 with a session on tyre-derived aggregate (TDA), examining its use in civil engineering projects like structural fill and stormwater management. A subsequent webinar on 30 October 2025 will cover the growing market for moulded and extruded products made from recycled rubber.

A significant portion of the series will be dedicated to rubber-modified asphalt (RMA), a material known for creating longer-lasting and more sustainable roadways. An introductory session on 20 November 2025 will review the overall performance and benefits of RMA. This will be followed by two regional deep dives: one on 14 January 2026, focusing on practical applications in Midwestern states like Michigan and Ohio, and another on 28 January 2026, exploring its adoption in Southern states including Kentucky and Georgia. The series will culminate on 24 February 2026 with a capstone session providing a comprehensive overview of grant and funding opportunities available to support the growth of these ELT markets.

This initiative addresses a critical need. While tyres are one of the most recycled products in US, and stockpiles have been reduced by 94 percent over the past three decades, the generation of end-of-life tyres continues to outpace their consumption in recycling markets. The webinar series is presented as a strategic pathway to bridge this gap by promoting innovative and sustainable end-use applications.

Those interested in shaping the future of tyre management are encouraged to register for any or all of the webinars through the USTMA website. Attendees will receive a resource kit after each session to help facilitate further discussion and action.

Anne Forristall Luke, President & CEO, USTMA, said, “We view these webinars as a crucial opportunity to connect key leaders across the country and show them that sustainability and economic growth go hand-in-hand. By showcasing proven applications and providing the tools to act, we can collectively turn ELTs from a waste challenge into an economic engine.”

Sheerin said, “As we look to expand ELT markets and unlock the full environmental and economic potential of end-of-life tyres, collaboration is essential. And no one can do it alone. State DOTs, regulators, recyclers and manufacturers must work together to help grow ELT markets through targeted investment, supportive policy and continued research.”

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  - CNJ SUPPORT September 11, 2025 15:03 PM

  How can we enroll on this Webinar

  Reply