MRF continues to lead the tyre industry with a strong focus on quality, innovation and customer satisfaction. With a presence in over 70 countries, MRF’s dominance spans across categories including commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, electric vehicles (EVs) and aircraft tyres. As India’s economic growth drives increased demand for commercial vehicles, MRF capitalises on this shift towards larger trucks and the expanding EV market. Additionally, the company’s technological prowess is evident in its supply of defence aircraft tyres. Despite challenges like rising rubber prices, MRF’s commitment to development and sustainable practices ensures its continued growth and global expansion.

MRF Vice Chairman and Managing Director Arun Mammen opined that India’s economic prosperity is leading to a demand for original equipment, which in turn is driving the volumes for commercial vehicle tyres upwards. Speaking to Tyre Trends on the sidelines of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, Mammen noted, “The commercial vehicle tyre segment is primarily driven by OEM demand. India’s economic performance is increasing commercial activity, leading to a higher number of trucks being sold. A notable trend in this segment is the shift towards larger trucks. This shift is primarily due to improved road infrastructure. Additionally, these trends see tyre volumes grow even in the replacement market.”

He added, “Government policies over the last 5–6 years have also played a crucial role in shaping the industry. The transition from BS4 to BS6, changes in axle load norms and various other regulatory developments have influenced tyre design and performance requirements. We have remained ahead of these changes, ensuring our products fully comply with government guidelines.”

The company theme for this year at the expo was ‘Muscle in Motion’, which highlighted MRF’s leadership, technology, innovation and sustainability.

MRF has been a leader in the tyre industry for 37 years, covering all categories. The executive noted that while competition was close in some segments, the company continued to have a leading position in tractors, trucks, light commercial vehicles, commercial vehicles and three-wheeler tyre segments. Its market leadership was further reinforced by its financial performance in FY 2023-24 with turnover of over INR 250 billion.

The company is experiencing double-digit growth, particularly in the first half of CY25, while most of the industry had struggled to achieve similar momentum. “We have consistently grown across all tyre categories including infrastructure, farm, two-wheeler and truck tyres,” revealed Mammen.

“Our ability to maintain market dominance for nearly four decades is rooted in a simple yet powerful philosophy, which is quality, customer focus and continuous innovation. We prioritise understanding customer needs and delivering better-thanexpected performance. This relentless pursuit of excellence ensures that we provide the best value for money,” said the official.

EXPANDING PORTFOLIO

A recent media report mentioned that MRF is seeing significant progress in the EV tyre segment, covering both OEM supply and the replacement market.

Exuding confidence for its EV tyre portfolio with the evolving automobile space in India, Mammen noted, “We are actively innovating in this space and a great example is our new EV tyre, recently supplied to Mahindra for its latest EV launch. This tyre incorporates a unique foam technology that significantly reduces noise, offering a quieter and more comfortable driving experience. With the growing adoption of electric vehicles, such advancements are crucial as EVs inherently produce less mechanical noise, making tyre noise reduction even more essential.”

He added, “Our tyres are fitted on several OEM vehicles including that of Maruti, Toyota, Honda and Bajaj models. The EV space will continue to grow as charging infrastructure improves, making electric mobility more convenient for consumers. While passenger vehicles and two-wheelers are currently leading the shift, we expect commercial vehicles to gradually follow suit as fleet operators gain confidence in battery technology and cost efficiency.”

Moreover, the company exclusively supplies tyres for Indian defence aircraft and helicopters with plans to expand the portfolio. Commenting on the same lines, Mammen revealed, “MRF supplies aircraft tyres to India’s defence forces including the Air Force and Navy. The majority of defence aircraft flying today are equipped with MRF tyres. The Indian Government does not import aircraft tyres unless we do not manufacture a specific type, further reinforcing our dominant position in this critical sector.”

MARKET TALK

MRF set up a new plant in Gujarat recently and ongoing expansions across multiple facilities are in process. Mammen noted that factories were continually being upgraded to meet evolving market demands. The company’s export business contributes between 10 to 12 percent in its total revenue, said Mammen.

The company currently exports to 70 countries worldwide. When asked about exploring new regions, the executive highlighted, “We are always looking for new opportunities for growth. A key example is our dominance in rally racing. We have been European champions for two years, beating multinational competitors, and in Asia Pacific, we have been rally champions for nine consecutive years. These victories highlight our engineering excellence and performance capabilities, opening doors to further expand our brand presence.”

Another trend within the Indian tyre market is Tyre-as-a-Service. Commenting on whether MRF plans to foray in the segment, he said, “Tyre-as- a-Service currently accounts for less than a single-digit percentage of the overall business. The limited adoption is due to challenging operating conditions. While some companies initially ventured into this space, many later exited due to difficulties in scaling the model. We continue to monitor this segment and will assess its potential for expansion in the future.”

TALKING ROADBLOCKS

The official identified the rising prices of rubber as one of the largest problems facing the tyre industry. Mammen explained that raw material costs account for about 70 percent of tyre production costs. As crude oil prices increase, the cost of production also rises, which is further impacted by fluctuations in the rupeedollar exchange rate.

“The price of natural rubber has remained high for a while and this is a challenge for many tyre manufacturers including us. India does not produce enough natural rubber to meet domestic demand, so we rely on imports to supplement local supply. This dependency on imports means we are exposed to fluctuations in global rubber prices, which can impact our overall cost structure,” said Mammen.

Despite the challenges, the company’s near-term research and development focus will involve both recycling raw materials and exploring green energy solutions such as energy and water recycling while also controlling wastage.

The company had made a Capex of over INR 21 billion in the previous financial year and nearly INR 7 billion in the first six months of the current financial year. These investments are directed towards areas with growth opportunities in truck, passenger and two-wheeler markets.

When asked about retail expansion, Mammen noted that there is always room for growth, both in expanding the dealer and retailer network and in online retail.

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Yokohama ATG-owned Galaxy, a brand of tyres for construction, earthmoving and material handling, has entered the UTV and ATV segment with Hulk PSX and Everest PSX.

The company stated that the tyres are for use in the off-road segment and in utility applications, providing durability, life and traction across terrains. They are engineered to provide puncture resistance, stability and comfort for utility and recreational operations.

The Hulk PSX is for use off-road across terrains. It features a compound for tyre life and sidewalls for cut resistance. Radial construction is for performance, while shoulder blocks assist cornering and handling. It includes a tread design for traction and a tread-to-void ratio for wear resistance and stability. The model fits 12-inch and 14-inch rims to cater to UTV configurations.

On the other hand, the Everest PSX is suitable for utility applications, providing performance, durability and comfort. It offers resistance to cuts, chips and abrasions. Pattern continuity is for roadability and vibration reduction. The tyre provides traction and stability, including wet surface grip. It includes rim protection and puncture resistance for operations. The model is offered for 12-inch, 14-inch and 15-inch rims for UTV applications.

Dyutiman Chatterjee, Chief Technology Officer, Yokohama-ATG, said, “Building on its 100+ years legacy, Galaxy’s entry into the UTV/ATV category is a strategic step in strengthening its presence globally. These tyres are designed to meet the evolving needs of customers seeking performance, reliability and durability in extreme conditions.” 

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Michelin has completed the acquisition of Flexitallic, expanding the French group’s industrial sealing activities as it seeks growth in higher value-added markets under its “Michelin in Motion 2030” strategy.

Houston-based Flexitallic, founded in 1912, manufactures engineered sealing solutions used in industries including energy and chemicals, where equipment operates under extreme conditions and safety standards are stringent. The company operates 17 manufacturing facilities globally and produces seals, gaskets, sheet products and specialty filler materials.

Michelin said the acquisition would broaden its sealing solutions portfolio and strengthen its access to the aftermarket. The transaction also combines Flexitallic’s expertise in engineered sealing technologies with Michelin’s global industrial network.

Flexitallic employs about 1,200 people and generated sales of about $220m in 2025.

The companies said the deal would support demand from both traditional industrial sectors and emerging energy markets, where sealing technologies are required to ensure operational reliability and safety.

Flexitallic provides what it describes as “Total Joint Integrity” services, combining sealing products with onsite technical support aimed at improving long-term operational performance. Its specialist services division, Integra Technologies, offers onsite inspection, maintenance and compliance support across industrial assets.

Michelin said the acquisition reflected its strategy of using its industrial and materials expertise to expand beyond tyres into adjacent engineering and high-technology businesses.

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TBC Corporation, one of North America’s largest marketers of automotive replacement tyres through wholesale and franchise operations, has elevated Rachel Tibor to the role of Chief Marketing Officer for its wholesale division. She now joins the company’s executive team and will oversee the insight-driven go-to-market strategy, reporting directly to President and CEO Don Byrd.

Tibor originally joined TBC in 2023 as Group Vice President of Wholesale Marketing, where she was responsible for developing the wholesale strategy, including marketing leadership, brand positioning and customer engagement. Her career spans more than two decades, with prior leadership roles in marketing and brand strategy at Office Depot and Procter & Gamble.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University. The promotion reinforces TBC’s focus on data-led marketing as it continues to expand its wholesale and franchise tyre operations across North America.

Byrd said, “Rachel has created deep alignment across multiple disciplines and provided data-driven approaches that deliver a best-in-class customer experience. As Chief Marketing Officer, Rachel will continue to provide rigor and focused strategies that will drive TBC forward.”

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Continental has announced a leadership transition at its supervisory board level, with Sabrina Soussan, 56, elected as the new chair. The unanimous decision took place during the board’s constituent meeting, held immediately after the company’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting. Soussan, who had just been elected as a shareholder representative, succeeds Wolfgang Reitzle, who departed as planned following more than 16 years of service on the board.

A German-French top executive, Soussan brings over 25 years of automotive and transport sector experience to Continental, positioning her to guide the firm’s strategic realignment. Her career includes serving as CEO of Siemens Mobility and, most recently, as CEO and chair of France’s SUEZ Group. She previously held senior roles at Continental itself and was appointed to the supervisory board by a local court in September 2025. Soussan also serves on Henkel’s Shareholders’ Committee and is standing for election to Stadler Rail’s board of directors.

At the same constituent meeting, the supervisory board extended the executive board appointment of Chief Executive Officer Christian Kötz by three years, securing his tenure until March 2030. The early renewal reflects strong confidence in his leadership, particularly his success in strengthening Continental’s tyre business amid challenging market conditions and his role in reshaping the company as a focused tire manufacturer.

Kötz, who has been with Continental’s tyre division since 1996, joined the executive board in 2019 and has led key areas including passenger-tyre replacement and commercial-vehicle tyre units, as well as global research and development for passenger-car tyres. He has served as Continental’s chief executive since 1 January 2026.

Soussan said, “Being elected as chair of the Supervisory Board fills me with joy and respect. I would like to thank the shareholders and the Supervisory Board for placing their trust in me. Continental is strongly positioned as a focused tyre manufacturer. I look forward to paving the way for a successful future together with the Supervisory Board and Executive Board.”

Kötz said, “I would like to thank the Supervisory Board for placing its trust in me. We have proven in recent years that we have the right ingredients for success: top technology in our products, state-of-the-art manufacturing, efficient distribution and a strong brand, supported by a strong team. We will continue to drive forward our success strategy and make Continental even more resilient.”

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