Tyre industry calls for curbs as imports remain buoyant despite lockdown

In the first 11 months of FY20, a year that saw economic slowdown in India and reduced demand, tyres worth $385 million still made their way to the country

Calling on the government to place a cap on imports, the tyre industry has said it would facilitate increased domestic production, and subsequently exports, besides creating jobs.

According to data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S), tyres worth $429 million were imported in FY19. In the first 11 months of FY20 — a year that witnessed economic slowdown and hence reduced demand — tyres worth $385 million came in, says the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA).

Majority of the imports were from China. The country accounts for over 40 per cent of imports as regards both truck and