Tyre production drops, export rides high

Production in all categories of tyres fell about two per cent in FY13 compared to FY12, while exports rose six per cent

The Indian tyre industry performed poorly on the production front during FY13 but well on exports, according to the latest data released by the  Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (Atma).

Production in all categories fell about two per cent in FY13 compared to FY12, while exports rose six per cent.

Major companies together produced 123 million tyres in FY13 against 125 million in the previous financial year. Combined exports were 8.4 million in 2012-13, compared to 7.9 million in FY12, registering a growth of six per cent.

On the production front, passenger car segment performed better compared to other main segments such as truck and bus tyres. Yearly production of passenger car tyres increased to 32 million from 28 million in the previous year, registering a growth of about 14 per cent.

There was a marginal rise in the truck/bus category, too, from 16 million in 2011-12 to 16.5 million tyres in FY13. A sharp fall was recorded for scooters (three wheeler), scooters (two-wheeler), motor cycles and light trucks.

On the other hand, the off-the-road segment saw a whopping 85 per cent growth, the data showed.

Only six million three-wheeler scooter tyres were produced in FY13 compared with 8.6 million in the previous year, a fall of 30 per cent. Likewise, a 27 per cent drop was recorded for two-wheeler scooters at 9.9 million tyres. This was 13.6 million in FY12. An 11 per cent decrease was recorded in the light commercial vehicles segment at six million tyres. On the motor cycle category, 43 million tyres were produced against 44 million in the previous year, registering a marginal decline.

Combined exports of leading companies in FY13 were 8.4 million against 7.9 million in the previous financial year. A sharp 48 per cent fall recorded for scooter (two wheeler), while 59 per cent rise recorded for implement tyre segment.

In FY13, 1.7 million car tyres were exported against 1.6 million in FY12. Five per cent rise recorded for truck/bus segment at 2.3 million tyres.

Twelve million motor cycle tyres were also shipped against 9.5 million in the previous financial year, recording a growth of about 25 per cent.

In scooter (two wheeler) segment, export almost halved to 77,384 tyres compared with 150,000 in FY12. For implement tyre segment, total export in

FY13 was 141,350 tyres against 88,675 tyres in the previous financial year.