Tyre Production Up 27% In December & #8217;02

Led by booming exports and a strong growth across most segments of the Indian auto industry, domestic tyre production rose 27 per cent in December2002.

According to the latest data released by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (Atma), tyre production in December rose to 46.42 lakh units from 36.61 lakh units in December 2001.

Significantly, production of truck and bus tyres, which constitute the major share of tyre sales in value terms, rose by as much as 28 per cent during the month.

Industry players attribute the rise in this segment to the healthy growth in sales of new commercial vehicles, in addition to a strong demand from the replacement segment.

 

Tyre exports grew by a healthy 35 per cent to 3.17 lakh units from 2.35 lakh units during December 2001.

Production of tyres for passenger cars grew 17 per cent to 7.22 lakh units. Production of jeep tyres also rose 15 per cent to 1.08 lakh units.

Owing to a sharp improvement in sales of light trucks in recent times and increased replacement demand, production of light truck tyres rose by almost 36 per cent to 2.65 lakh tyres.

Further, in keeping with the strong growth in motorbike sales, bike tyre production soared 14.71 per cent during the month.

Even as scooter sales were stagnant, production of scooter tyres rose 28 per cent to 9.16 lakh units. Production of moped tyres rose 44 per cent on a small base to 17,397 units.