Tyre exports back in black in April-May 2015

Overall 4% uptrend was recorded in these months as against 4% downfall in the same period of FY15

A 184 per cent rise in export of industrial tyres, plus a surge in export of tractor tyres, helped in a four per cent rise in overall tyre export in April–May this financial year, compared to a four per cent fall in the same period of 2014-15.

The country's tyre sector gets a tenth of its  revenue from export. These fell in 2014-15, due to subdued global automobile demand, especially in Africa and parts of Asia. The global shift towards radial tyres  also led to a drop in export, as India primarily exports cross-plys, says an ICRA Ratings report.

Against 1.34 million tyres exported in April–May of FY15, this had risen 1.39 mn this year. The rise in industrial tyres, as mentioned earlier, was 184 per cent. In 2013-14 and 2014-15, this segment had seen a fall of 33 and 35 per cent, respectively.  Export of tractor front tyres rose 87 per cent and of rear tyres by 73 per cent.

Three-wheeler, light commercial vehicle and motor cycle tyres also saw a rise in the period.

However, after a five-year rise, export of passenger car tyre exports saw a 12 per cent fall, to 381,948 tyres from 435,153 in the same period of FY15. Plus, a five per cent fall in truck and bus tyres, showed data from the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association.