Tyre exports up 30% in Apr-Sept

Despite the global economic slowdown, tyre exports from India increased 30 per cent in the first half (H1) of the current financial year, according to the latest data by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (Atma). During April-September period, 3.7 million tyres were shipped as against 2.9 million tyres in the same period of the last financial year. The average monthly exports increased to 631,032 tyres as against 486,608 tyres in the same period last year.

Two-wheeler tyres (scotters and moped) recorded the highest growth of 125 per cent, while off-the-road tyre (OTR) segment increased 95 per cent. A total of 41,808 scooter tyres were shipped as against 18,600 in H1 last year and 109,878 OTR tyres were exported as against 56,484 tyres during the period, according to Atma data. Passenger car tyre exports increased 40 per cent to 731,676 as against 521,490 tyres in April-September period of the last financial year. The average monthly exports in this segment was 121,946. Exports of truck and bus tyres also recorded growth of 27 per cent. The total shipments in this flagship segment were 1.1 million as against 875,000 last year.

Except jeep, tractor (rear) and industrial segments, all other types of tyres recorded a positive growth in exports. Around 830,000 light commercial vehicle (LCV) tyres were shipped as against 650,000, registering a growth of 29 per cent. Three-wheeler segment recorded 38 per cent growth, while motorcycle segment registered 13 per cent rise in exports during the period, Atma data said.

PRODUCTION 

Production recorded a narrow growth in major tyre segments though overall production in H1 increased 10 per cent. Total production of tyres in all segments was 63 million tyres as against 57 million in the same period of 2010-11. A total of 4.2 million three-wheeler tyres were produced, increasing 24 per cent, while 20 per cent increase was recorded in the production of LCV tyres. Total production in LCV segment was 3.4 million.

A slowdown in growth was recorded in truck and bus segment at just three per cent increase, while passenger car segment registered 7 per cent growth in H1 of the current financial year. The total truck and bus tyres produced were 7.8 million tyres as against 7.2 million and passenger car tyre production increased to 13.2 million as against 12 million last year. Motorcycle tyre production increased nine per cent while that in the OTR segment increased eight per cent, according to the data. The average monthly production among all categories of tyres was 10.4 million tyres. In September, production recorded zero growth indicating a slowdown in the coming months.

Exports in the month shot up sharply at 21 per cent. A drop in the sale of passenger cars is seriously affecting the production of tyres. Also, the demand from the original equipment sector is rather slow when compared to the re-placement sector, thus, affecting the sales.