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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Toyo Tire Corporation of Japan (Toyo Tire) has announced executive appointments at Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. (TTHA) and Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc. (NTU), effective 1 October 2026. Keiko Brockel has become President and Chief Executive Officer at TTHA, while Angelo Naval has beeen promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer at NTU.

Brockel, the first woman and first American to hold the TTHA role, will oversee daily North American business operations. She joined NTU in 2008 and previously served as its President and Chief Executive Officer and President and Chief Operations Officer. Over 18 years at NTU, she has held various executive leadership positions, providing strategic oversight in sales, finance, supply chain and operations, contributing significantly to the company's growth and evolution.

Angelo Naval

Naval, formerly Vice President of Sales and Business Strategy at NTU, will now oversee its business operations. He joined NTU in 2000 and also served as Vice President of Product and Business Strategy. During his 24 years with the company, he has been instrumental in shaping the business, gaining deep understanding and a unique perspective on the Nitto brand, its customers and the markets it serves.

Takashi Shimizu, President & CEO, Toyo Tire Corporation, said, “On behalf of Toyo Tire, I would like to congratulate both Keiko Brockel and Angelo Naval on their well-earned new appointments and thank them for their invaluable contributions to the growth and success of Nitto Tire in the American market.”

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ContiTech, the group sector of Continental, has named Amanda Lacerda as its new Head of Communications, with effect from 15 September 2026. In this capacity, she will report directly to Diana Hoppe, who serves as Head of Human Relations and Communications at ContiTech. The appointment places Lacerda at the helm of the organisation’s global communications operations.

In her new position, Lacerda will act as a strategic partner focused on advancing business performance, transformation and brand value. Her responsibilities encompass corporate, executive and brand communications, alongside media and public relations, public affairs, employee communications and reputation management. She is tasked with maintaining a consistent narrative that bolsters ContiTech’s global reputation and aligns with its business priorities and strategic ambitions. Lacerda takes over from Claudia Lademann-Fleger, who has chosen to depart the company for external opportunities.

Lacerda arrives with over two decades of experience in communications, marketing, and public affairs. Her global leadership background includes roles across Brazil, Middle East, Sweden and Germany. Over her career, she has engaged with diverse international markets and industries, assisting organisations in strengthening their brands, managing change and cultivating meaningful relationships with key stakeholders.

Diana Hoppe, Head of Human Relations and Communications, ContiTech, said, “Effective communication plays a key role as ContiTech continues its transformation and prepares for its future as a standalone company. Amanda brings extensive international experience, strategic insight and domain expertise in communications that will help strengthen our brand, enhance our reputation and deepen engagement with employees, customers, partners and communities around the world. As we continue to build a strong and distinctive brand, her leadership will be instrumental in advancing our strategic ambitions and long-term success. I also want to thank Claudia for her many years of dedicated leadership and service to ContiTech, and I wish her every success in the future.”

Lacerda said, “I am excited to join ContiTech at such an important moment in its journey. ContiTech has a strong heritage, talented people and a clear vision for the future. I look forward to working with colleagues around the world to tell our story, support the company’s transformation and help create value through clear, authentic and engaging communications.”

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NEXEN TIRE has revamped the organisational framework for its European operations, merging its replacement equipment (RE) and original equipment (OE) divisions under a single executive leader. The restructuring is intended to deepen coordination throughout the region and reinforce the company’s ongoing expansion efforts there.

DC (DAE CHOONG) KIM has been named to head the newly formed European organisation. He returns to NEXEN TIRE Europe from Korea to assume this executive role, having first joined the European arm in 2014 and served as Vice President of Europe & Sales Marketing until 2024, then as Executive Vice President of Global Sales until September 2026.

In his new capacity, KIM will manage the combined European RE and OE sales organisation, fostering closer alignment between the two areas and sharpening NEXEN TIRE’s overall market approach. His leadership is expected to bolster customer focus, business development and long-term growth across the region.

Additionally, JEFF (JAE HOON) ROH, formerly Vice President of Europe Sales & Marketing, becomes Vice President of Global Sales Planning. He will help Nexen Tire offices worldwide maximise performance, with emphasis on US and Europe, and refine global channel strategy. The new structure and appointment came in force on 1 October.

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Grismer Tire & Auto Service, a tyre and automotive service centre operator backed by CenterOak Partners LLC, has named Chris Blanchette as Chief Executive Officer and Mark Hedstrom as Chief Financial Officer. The announcement marks a significant leadership transition for the portfolio company.

Blanchette arrives with over two decades of senior leadership experience in multi-site consumer services, specialising in operations, strategy and business development. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Service Minds, a residential electrical, plumbing and HVAC services provider. His background also includes serving as Chief Operating Officer of QAS, which operates Valvoline Instant Oil Change locations, along with senior operational positions at Advance Auto Parts, Bridgestone Retail Operations and Best Buy.

Hedstrom brings more than three decades of finance expertise to his new role. He previously held the Chief Financial Officer position at W.S. Connelly & Co., a multi-regional specialty distributor, and has also served as Chief Financial Officer for several private equity-backed consumer and distribution companies.

Eric Holter, Managing Director, CenterOak, said, “Chris Blanchette brings highly relevant leadership experience in the automotive aftermarket. He has led complex, multi-location organisations and understands how to translate operational discipline into sustainable growth. Together, Chris and Mark add important depth to Grismer’s leadership team as the Company pursues expansion in existing and new markets.”

Blanchette said, “Grismer’s 90-year history and the trust it has earned with customers set the Company apart. I am excited to join a business with such a strong legacy and see significant

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