India’s commercial vehicle (CV) industry is rapidly aligning with global standards, thanks to policy reforms, evolving customer expectations and a robust domestic ecosystem. Automakers and suppliers are making significant strides in cost competitiveness, safety innovations and integrating alternative energy solutions. As the sector continues to evolve, the need for collaboration and strategic discussions has never been more critical.

Recognising this imperative, Motoring Trends, a leading automotive magazine, hosted its inaugural Commercial Vehicles Conference on 21st November 2024, in Pune, India. Themed ‘Moving India Forward’, the event served as a platform for industry leaders, including OEMs, suppliers, technocrats, fleet operators and industry partners, to address challenges and identify opportunities shaping the future of the Indian CV landscape.

By bringing together stakeholders from across the value chain, the conference underscored the importance of collective action in driving innovation, enhancing safety standards, and adopting sustainable practices. As the CV industry transforms to meet global benchmarks, such forums are vital to ensuring India’s leadership in the sector while addressing its unique market dynamics and needs.

Mahindra Truck & Bus, Ashok Leyland and Apollo Tyres supported the event as sponsors, while Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) was the Associate partner, while Asian Trucker and Tyre Trends were the Media partners. The delegates at the event attended from a range of companies such as Tata Motors, MAN Trucks, Continental India, Tyresoles India, and Volvo Trucks among others.

The event kicked off with Dr Seshu Bhagavathula, Director, CityQ and an automotive industry veteran delivering the Keynote address, where he highlighted how urban cities around the world are working to decongest and decarbonise their streets. “This (decongestion and decarbonisation) requires a serious relook and focus on improving urban mobility as well as the role of alternative energy to support the transition,” Dr Bhagavathula.

Rashmi Urdhwareshe, Former Director, Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) shared her perspective on how the automotive industry has been focussing on not just introducing the latest technologies, but also co-developing solutions to meet the India-specific needs. She emphasised  the close cooperation between testing agencies, suppliers and OEMs that is accelerating the transition to the latest technologies.

Making commercial vehicles safer

The commercial vehicle population on Indian roads accounts for a small parc of the total vehicles, but ranks 3^rd when it comes to the vehicles involved in road accidents. In 2022, more than 460,000 accidents took place in India, which resulted in over 168,491 people losing their lives and over 443,366 people being injured.

The first panel discussion of the day focussed on one of the most important aspects pertaining to the CV industry – Safety. The panellists for the session included – Dr Venkat Srinivas, Head Of Business, Mahindra Truck & Bus; Rahul S. Mahajan, Deputy Director, The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI); Sudeepth Puthumana, Head of Segment – ADAS, Autonomous Mobility, Continental Automotive India and Prashant Kakade, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH).

The session, moderated by Bhushan Mhapralkar, Editor, Motoring Trends, touched upon various factors ranging from ADAS technology, and road designing to driver training and sensitisation.

SKP Amarnath, Group Head - R&D, Apollo Tyres gave a presentation on ‘Commercial Vehicle (Truck) Evolution In India And Impact On Tyres’. He dwelled into the key developments that have taken place in the CV industry and how tyres can play a key role in influencing vehicle safety and efficiency.

Vijay Shrinivas, Member, TREA - Tyre Retreading Education Association and CEO, Indag, gave a presentation on ‘Driving Sustainability and Circularity in Commercial Vehicle Industry’. He presented his thoughts on how treading not only helps save costs on tyre replacement but also enables higher circularity and thus helps reduce carbon emissions too.

Alternative energy & future of commercial vehicles

The role of alternative energy has been a key topic of discussion globally across vehicle segments. While there has been a focus on electrification in certain vehicle classes, the commercial vehicle segment will need to adopt a mixed approach depending on the application and use case.

The second panel discussion was on the topic of Alternative Energy and the Future of Commercial Vehicle. The panellists – Dr Bhagavathula ; Mahesh Babu, CEO, Switch Mobility; Anil Baliga, President, EKA Mobility; Boddapati Dinakar, Executive Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Volvo Trucks, VECV; Shailesh Zinge, Director - Marketing, Growth Initiatives and Program Management, Engine Business, Cummins India and A Ramasubramanian, CTO, Blue Energy Motors presented their perspective on the alternative fuel segment.

The session was moderated by Nilesh Wadhwa, Assistant Editor, Motoring Trends.

The discussion focussed on how industry stakeholders were exploring various energy mix ranging from electric, LNG to future fuels such as hydrogen and fuel cells. The panellists agreed that globally too at present there was no single fuel that could completely overhaul the commercial vehicles segment. There was a need to not only focus on the vehicles but the necessary charging/refuelling ecosystem.

Transport ecosystem

The health of the CV industry is one of the key barometers to understand a country’s economic prosperity. While one can discuss the trends, policies and technologies, it is imperative that the views of the key stakeholder – fleet operators – are taken into account.

The third panel discussion of the day was on the topic of ‘Transport Ecosystem’. The panellists for the session were - Bal Malkit Singh, Chairman - the Core Committee, Former President, All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) Prasanna Patwardhan, President, Bus & Car Operators Confederation Of India (BOCI) and Sanjay Sasane, Principal, Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR).

The session, moderated by Sharad Matade, Executive Editor, Motoring Trends, had an indepth discussion on how fleet operators continued to face headwinds ranging from increases in operational expenses, driver shortages and road infrastructure among others. At the same time, the revenues had not kept up at the same pace. The panellists also presented their perspectives on the adoption of newer technologies and alternative fuels.

Atul Patil, Vice-President – Marketing, Pin 365 delivered the Vote of Thanks. 

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India’s tyre recycling industry is entering a painful consolidation phase as weakening export demand, oversupply of waste tyres and worsening shipping disruptions erode profitability across the value chain. While domestic consumption continues to provide partial support, falling realisations and rising logistics costs are squeezing processors of crumb rubber, reclaimed rubber, pyrolysis oil and recovered carbon black.

India’s tyre recycling industry is entering a period of consolidation as weakening export demand, oversupply of waste tyres and mounting shipping disruptions compress margins, even as long-term demand for sustainable materials continues to strengthen.

While volumes remained broadly stable during the March quarter, profitability deteriorated sharply across much of the sector as realisations fell in both domestic and overseas markets and logistics-related costs climbed, said Tyre and Rubber Recyclers Association of India President Chetan Joshi.

“Volumes were largely stable for most of us, but margins definitely came under pressure,” Joshi said. “Realisations dropped, especially in domestic and export markets, while logistics costs and delays increased. Domestic sales supported to some extent, but overall, it was more of a margin squeeze quarter than a volume issue.”

The industry is also facing a supply-demand imbalance in waste tyres driven by slowing exports of recycled products and softer downstream demand caused partly by elevated prices of finished recycled materials.

“There is oversupply due to low demand because finished product prices are high and exports of finished recycled products have slowed down,” Joshi said. “That is putting pressure on waste tyre pricing and also on end-product prices.”

The pricing pressure is now cascading across the recycling chain, affecting processors of crumb rubber, reclaimed rubber, pyrolysis oil and recovered carbon black (rCB), which are widely used by tyre makers, rubber goods manufacturers and industrial consumers.

However, Joshi said not all segments are under equal stress. Better-quality feedstock and certified recycled materials continue to command stronger pricing and more resilient demand despite broader weakness in commodity-grade products.

“Good quality and properly segregated material are still holding value better,” he said.

India has emerged as one of the world’s largest recycling hubs for end-of-life tyres because of its large vehicle parc, abundant feedstock availability and relatively low-cost processing ecosystem.

Domestic demand for recycled rubber materials has also expanded steadily in recent years as sustainability targets gain traction among tyre makers and industrial manufacturers.

According to Joshi, domestic consumption has helped cushion the sector from the ongoing export slowdown, though it remains insufficient to fully compensate for weakening overseas demand.

“India has strong domestic consumption in crumb rubber, reclaim, pyrolysis oil and rCB, so it does give some cushion,” he said. “But honestly, domestic demand alone cannot fully replace export markets, at least in the short term. We still need healthy exports to balance the ecosystem.”

Exporters are simultaneously grappling with worsening shipping disruptions that have increased operational uncertainty across several key overseas markets.

“Shipping has become unpredictable,” Joshi said. “Transit times are longer, freight and insurance costs have increased and planning exports has become difficult.”

He added that Europe, UK, the Gulf Cooperation Council region and parts of Africa are among the most affected markets because of freight-related disruptions and sluggish demand conditions.

“Even when orders are there, execution becomes a challenge,” he said.

The impact has been particularly severe for lower-value recycled products where freight costs form a larger share of overall realisations. Higher-quality and certified materials, however, have remained comparatively stable.

“Lower-value products are affected more, while higher-quality and certified materials are relatively stable,” Joshi said.

Despite near-term pressures, the long-term demand trajectory for recycled tyre-derived materials remains positive as global tyre manufacturers accelerate sustainability initiatives and seek alternatives to increasingly expensive virgin raw materials.

“The long-term trend is very clear and recycled materials are gaining,” Joshi said. “With higher natural rubber prices and sustainability targets of tyre companies, demand for reclaimed rubber, micronised powder and rCB will increase.”

At the same time, he noted that buyers are becoming significantly more selective, shifting purchasing decisions beyond price considerations towards quality consistency, certification and compliance standards.

UNIT ECONOMICS

The tyre pyrolysis industry is witnessing a sharp improvement in margins and investment sentiment as geo-political tensions in the Middle East push up crude-linked fuel prices, creating stronger demand for tyre-derived pyrolysis oil, according to Apchemi Chief Executive Officer Suhas Dixit.

The recent conflict involving Iran has emerged as the single biggest factor influencing the sector’s performance, triggering steep price increases for tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO) and reviving expansion plans across the industry after years of compressed profitability.

Tyre pyrolysis oil prices in India have climbed dramatically in recent months, rising from about INR 35–40 per kilogramme to nearly INR 60 per kilogramme, according to Dixit, reflecting stronger demand and tighter energy market conditions linked to higher crude oil prices.

Dixit said the price increase has fuelled fresh enthusiasm among investors and operators looking to expand existing facilities or establish new projects.

The company, which positions itself as a global technology and engineering player rather than a purely domestic recycler, said overseas demand remains robust despite continuing disruptions in international shipping and trade routes.

While the conflict in the Middle East and shipping disruptions around key trade routes such as the Strait of Hormuz have raised concerns about freight costs and export uncertainty for many Indian recyclers, Dixit said Apchemi remains relatively insulated because of its global operating model.

The company is currently executing multiple large-scale international projects including three 150-tonne-per-day tyre pyrolysis facilities for clients in developed markets, according to Dixit.

Even so, Dixit acknowledged that the industry remains exposed to broader geo-political uncertainty, particularly because energy prices and shipping costs directly influence the economics of pyrolysis-derived fuels.

At the same time, he believes the current environment is creating a rare opportunity for operators to strengthen profitability after years of weak returns.

On the other hand, reclaim rubber manufacturers seem to be facing renewed uncertainty as rising raw material costs linked to geo-political tensions continue to pressure pricing and destabilise downstream demand.

“Market is a little scary right now,” said a Gujarat-based crumb rubber manufacturer. The spokesperson attributed the instability largely to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which have triggered higher costs across the raw material chain and pushed up prices for finished reclaim rubber products.

“Reclaim rubber manufacturers are particularly vulnerable to swings in raw material pricing because margins in the segment are often thin and highly sensitive to changes in energy, logistics and waste tyre procurement costs,” he noted.

Despite the ongoing volatility, he indicated that the broader market trajectory for the current fiscal year is unlikely to differ significantly from the previous year, suggesting that industry participants may continue to operate in a challenging but manageable environment.

PULLING THROUGH

Joshi said India continues to enjoy structural advantages because of its scale and feedstock availability but warned that the industry could lose competitiveness if it fails to improve quality consistency and formalisation.

He added that the next growth cycle in tyre recycling is likely to favour companies investing in compliance, process control, certification and value-added products rather than those competing purely on trading volumes and low-cost exports.

“The opportunity is huge, but discipline in the industry will decide who benefits,” Joshi said.

Looking ahead to FY27, Joshi expects margin recovery to remain uneven across the industry with larger and technologically stronger companies likely to outperform smaller operators focused on low-margin export trading.

For India’s recycling industry, the current downturn may ultimately accelerate a broader structural transition already underway from volume-led commodity processing towards a more formalised, quality-focused and sustainability-driven circular materials ecosystem.

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The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced the impending departure of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Christina Zamarro, effective 10 July. To ensure continuity, Scott Deakin has been appointed as interim CFO, assuming his duties on 1 July, just over a week prior to Zamarro’s exit.

Deakin brings over 25 years of financial and operational expertise to the role, having previously served as a public company CFO and operating executive across multiple industries. His most recent tenure was as CFO at Gypsum Management & Supply, a wholesale distributor of interior construction products, a position he held from 2019 until 2026. Concurrently, Goodyear has initiated a comprehensive external and internal search to secure a permanent successor for the top finance position.

Mark Stewart, Chief Executive Officer, said, “I want to thank Christina for her leadership and strong contributions to Goodyear during her 20 years of service, three of them as CFO. She has been a valued partner across the business, helping advance important initiatives and positioning the company for continued progress. We remain focused on executing Goodyear's operating strategy. As interim CFO, Scott is well positioned to provide continuity in the company's financial leadership and support execution of operational, transformation and capital allocation priorities.”

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From market leadership in single wire bead winding machines to advanced apexing technologies and integrated solutions, VIPO continues to shape the tyre manufacturing across India.

With a dominant presence across MCR, PCR, TBR and OTR segments, VIPO combines engineering precision, digital innovation and strong local support through VIPO INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED to deliver high-performance bead and apex solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the Indian tyre industry.

VIPO STRENGTHENS ITS TECHNOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT IN INDIA

India has emerged as one of the most dynamic tyre manufacturing hubs globally, demanding not only high production capacity but also consistent quality, process stability and long-term operational reliability. Rapid investments in manufacturing capabilities, combined with increasing performance expectations, are driving tyre producers to adapt more advanced and reliable technologies. In this environment, VIPO a.s. stands out as a trusted and forward-looking partner, recognised for its expertise in bead winding and bead apexing technologies.

Over the years, VIPO has built a dominant position in the Indian market, particularly in the segment of single wire bead winding machines, covering the full spectrum of tyre applications – from MCR and PCR to TBR and OTR. This strong market presence is not accidental; it is the result of long-term cooperation with leading tyre manufacturers and a deep understanding of their production challenges. The company’s success is rooted in its ability to deliver machines that ensure precise wire placement, optimised tension control and repeatable bead geometry, all essential factors influencing tyre safety, uniformity and overall performance.

VIPO’s bead winding machines are engineered with a focus on process stability and mechanical precision. Advanced control of wire feeding, tension regulation systems and optimised winding kinematics allow for consistent production even at high operating speeds. The machines are designed to minimise variation, reduce scrap rates and ensure long-term repeatability, which is critical in high-volume manufacturing environments. Flexibility is another key advantage, enabling manufacturers to adapt quickly to different bead sizes and tyre specifications without compromising efficiency.

Beyond bead winding, VIPO’s apexing solutions for TBR and OTR provide advanced process integration, enabling accurate and consistent application of apex profiles. By combining extrusion, material handling and application technologies into a unified system, VIPO ensures high process efficiency, strong bonding quality and reliable output, even in demanding production conditions. The precise control of apex geometry, temperature conditions and application pressure contributes to improved adhesion and structural integrity of the bead area, directly impacting tyre durability and performance under real operating conditions.

In addition, VIPO continuously enhances its apexing technologies by integrating auxiliary systems such as strip handling, profile guiding and application synchronisation. These elements ensure smooth process flow, eliminate inconsistencies and further reduce operator dependency. The result is a highly stable and repeatable process that meets the strict quality requirements of modern tyre production.

What truly differentiates VIPO is its ability to deliver complete, future-ready solutions. The company goes beyond machinery, offering integrated systems that include automation, digitalisation and intelligent process control. These solutions are designed to enhance productivity, reduce operator dependency and support data-driven manufacturing environments aligned with latest modern industrial principles. By implementing advanced control architectures and data acquisition systems, VIPO enables manufacturers to monitor key process parameters in real time, identify deviations early and optimise performance across the entire production line.

Digitalisation plays an increasingly important role in VIPO’s portfolio. The integration of diagnostics, condition monitoring and predictive maintenance tools allows customers to minimise unplanned downtime and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). These capabilities are particularly valuable in large-scale production facilities where even small inefficiencies can lead to significant operational losses.

A crucial element of VIPO’s success in India is its strong local presence through VIPO INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED and local agency represented by POLYPLAS company. Close collaboration with customers enables continuous performance optimisation and long-term reliability of installed equipment. The local team provides end-to-end support, including service, diagnostics, installation, commissioning, operator training and ramp-up support. This hands-on approach ensures that customers achieve faster start-ups, higher efficiency and improved machine lifecycle performance.

The close proximity to customers also allows VIPO to respond quickly to operational needs, provide immediate technical assistance and adapt solutions to specific plant conditions. This level of responsiveness is highly valued in the Indian market, where production continuity and flexibility are key success factors. The cooperation extends beyond standard service activities and often evolves into long-term partnerships focused on continuous improvement and process optimisation.

VIPO’s commitment to the region is further demonstrated by its active engagement with the industry. As a lunch sponsor at the GTRC 2026 conference in Chennai, VIPO will also contribute to the technical programme, presenting its latest solutions in material stock preparation area, bead and apex manufacturing technologies. This reflects the company’s role not only as a supplier but as a partner to technological progress within the tyre manufacturing community. By sharing know-how and engaging with industry experts, VIPO actively supports the exchange of knowledge and the development of best practices across the sector.

Looking ahead, VIPO continues to invest heavily in research and development, focusing on the bead and apex solutions. The company’s R&D activities are driven by the need to respond to increasing complexity in tyre design, new material requirements and higher expectations for automation and digital integration. Key development areas include advanced automation architectures, digital process monitoring, predictive diagnostics and enhanced material processing technologies. Additional focus is placed on improving energy efficiency, reducing material waste and increasing overall process sustainability.

These innovations aim to deliver higher efficiency, improved transparency and greater operational intelligence for tyre manufacturers. By combining mechanical engineering expertise with modern digital tools, VIPO is creating solutions that are not only reliable but also adaptable to future industry requirements. The ability to integrate new functionalities and upgrade existing systems ensures long-term value for customers and protects their investment in technology.

With its combination of engineering excellence, market experience and customer-centric approach, VIPO is not only responding to the needs of the Indian tyre industry but actively shaping its future as a global BEAD and APEX equipment manufacturer. n

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Balkrishna Industries (BKT) has appointed Saroj Kumar Khuntia as chief financial officer with effect from June 18, following the retirement of Madhusudan Bajaj, who stepped down after attaining the age of superannuation.

The board approved Khuntia's appointment at its meeting on June 17, based on the recommendations of the nomination and remuneration committee and the audit committee.

Bajaj ceased to serve as chief financial officer and key managerial personnel at the close of business on June 17 in accordance with the company's retirement policy.

The company said his departure was not a resignation. Following his retirement, Bajaj will continue to assist the company as special adviser to the chairman and managing director.

The board recorded its appreciation for Bajaj's contribution and leadership during his tenure.

Khuntia assumes the role of chief financial officer and key managerial personnel from June 18. He will also serve as compliance officer.

A fellow chartered accountant, Khuntia has more than 24 years of experience in corporate finance, strategy, capital markets, treasury, taxation, governance and finance transformation.

He has previously worked with CG Power, the Mahindra & Mahindra Group, IBM and Hindustan Lever.

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