A recent FICCI survey made it amply clear that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a deep impact on Indian businesses which could lead to "unprecedented collapse" of the Indian economy. Only a substantive and urgent economic package by the Government could save a large section of the industry from permanent impairment, survey findings stated.

The survey has just brought to the fore what businesses, cutting across segments, have been realizing ever since the Corona outbreak led to shuttering of businesses and disruption of supply chains. A financial stimulus is, indeed, imperative in view of the huge financial impact on businesses especially to those like auto & tyre sectors who had been facing exceptional distress even before the arrival of the current pandemic. For instance, Tyre industry is poised to lose sales of nearly Rs 10000 crore due to lock-down till the end of April. There is huge blockage of funds by way of inventories of raw materials and in the form of finished goods. Many OEMs have asked for deferment of payments and realizations from the replacement market have dried out.

It is heartening to note Government’s resolve to fight back with full might. Hon’ble Prime Minister has exhorted his cabinet that Government must work on war footing to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 and strategize for the emergent conditions. However, what is of greater significance is PM’s advice to lessen the country’s dependence on other nations and give a sincere push to 'Make in India' as a long-term strategy to immune the country from external trade shocks. He emphasized on boosting India's manufacturing and exports to benefit from emerging world realties.

Certainly, it is all the more important now to identify champion sectors where the country has much better bet of attaining the ideals of Make in India. These sectors will include the ones which have significant employment potential, have proven credentials in domestic manufacturing and exports, enjoy wide acclaim for quality worldwide and have the capacity to ramp up and become global leaders.

On all these counts, Tyre Industry in India has withstood the test very well over the years. It is unfortunate that Indian Tyre Industry has remained one of the less celebrated success stories on manufacturing landscape of India. The industry has not been adequately acclaimed for sterling achievements in areas such as exports, research & development and innovation. It is time that industry’s key contribution as wheels of nation’s economy gets adequately noticed.

For one, Tyre Industry is self-sufficient in India with indigenous capacities to manufacture practically all kinds of tyres from a moped tyre to mammoth off-the-road tyres. Not many countries in the world can boast of this capability.

Not only has the Tyre Industry worked for a self-reliant India ever since independence but has emerged as a major exporter with Indian manufactured tyres being exported to more than 100 countries in the world including the most discerning ones such as US and European countries. Exports of tyres from India are in the range of Rs 12000 crore per annum (nearly 20% of the industry revenue).

Job creation potential of the Tyre Industry is huge in view of a rich value chain extending from rubber planters to tyre mechanics. Industry supports over one million Natural Rubber (NR) planters since as much as 75% of the NR produced in the country is consumed in tyre manufacturing. Another million or so are engaged in tyre manufacturing, tyre retreading and those employed at tyre dealerships and tyre repair services across the length and breadth of the country.

Indian Tyre Industry is increasingly converging with the world in terms of practices, product quality and research & development. Today India has some of the finest radial tyre manufacturing facilities in the world. International vehicle majors (OEMs) have been rolling out leading brands in India on Indian made tyres underscoring the quality edge. The Indian Tyre Industry is emerging as a force to reckon with in the global manufacturing ecosystem. As many as four Indian tyre companies find a pride of place among the top 30 tyre companies in the world.

At a time when private investments have been hard to come by, Tyre Industry in India has continued to invest handsomely in capacity creation and technology. Ongoing and recently completed investments are to the extent of Rs 51000 crore which is unprecedented in the history of the industry.

There is little doubt that India is in the sweet spot as far as tyre manufacturing goes. Seasoned entrepreneurship, availability of skilled manpower, availability of NR plantations and products surpassing international quality benchmarks –are all the ingredients to make India a hub for tyre manufacturing in the world.

Tyre Industry deserves to be a shining example of Indian manufacturing (much like IT or Pharma in the respective sectors) in view of advancements in technology, contribution to Auto and Transport sectors, job creation potential and growth projections.

Currently, several countries in the world are looking to reduce their dependence on China for political, economic and strategic reasons. US and Japan are openly looking for alternatives to China to source products which offer quality and price competitiveness. And therein lies the opportunity of casting the net wider for exports of tyres from India.

However Indian Tyre Industry can leverage this opportunity and replace China in several key markets only if production and exports are provided a policy push by the Government and bottlenecks are removed. China enjoys huge economies of scale as far as tyre manufacturing is concerned. For instance China exports tyres worth US $15 bn in a year which is nearly double the size of Indian Tyre Industry. Actually China has provided large export incentives to its tyre companies since the manufacturing capacity in China is many times that of its domestic requirements. To insulate its companies from the vagaries of fluctuation in Natural Rubber prices and availability, China is maintaining large reserves of rubber as a state policy.

Corona outbreak can work to India's advantage as the quality of tyres produced in India has received worldwide acclaim. India can leverage this opportunity, if production and exports of tyres is given a strong fillip. That requires a support to the industry much in the same way that Chinese Government has been providing to its tyre companies.

India’s economic engine needs a lot of help from the Government to restart after the lockdown. However support to a champion sector like Tyre Industry which has already proven its credentials as employment and export revenue generator will pay dividends in multiples.

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For the second year running, CHIMEI Corporation has secured the prestigious Platinum rating from EcoVadis, placing it in the top one percent of 150,000+ global companies evaluated for sustainability performance. This recognition reflects CHIMEI’s excellence across environmental stewardship, labour practices, ethical operations and sustainable procurement.

The EcoVadis assessment, a gold standard for corporate sustainability, has seen growing participation and stricter criteria as ESG awareness rises worldwide. CHIMEI demonstrated particular progress in 2025, advancing its Sustainable Procurement score through platinum-level Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) certification. This strengthened supply chain oversight, workplace safety standards and employee welfare initiatives. The company also elevated its Ethics performance via ISO 27001 information security and ISO 37001 anti-bribery certifications, reinforcing governance transparency.

Since joining EcoVadis evaluations in 2021, CHIMEI has systematically enhanced its sustainability framework through continuous strategy reviews and operational improvements. Back-to-back Platinum ratings validate its leadership in sustainable business practices and commitment to the ‘Clean & Green’ vision. Moving forward, CHIMEI will intensify efforts in carbon reduction, eco-innovation, and supply chain collaboration to accelerate progress towards net-zero goals. This achievement not only recognises current performance but also fuels the company’s drive to set new benchmarks in responsible corporate citizenship.

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For nearly three decades, Titan International has championed agricultural preservation and education through its Antique Tractor Restoration Program. Since 1996, the company has contributed over USD 1 million to FFA chapters nationwide through tyre donations, auctions, and fundraising support – including USD 50,000 worth of tyres in 2025 alone. These investments have enabled students to breathe new life into historic farm equipment while developing hands-on technical skills.

The programme’s impact shines through success stories like Jenna Rosener, a 4-H member from Anthon, Iowa, whose restored tractor earned recognition at the Iowa State Fair thanks to Titan’s rear tyre donation. Similarly, Nevada FFA Chapter President Lily Henderson redirected savings from Titan’s donated tyres towards premium restoration materials for her 1948 Oliver tractor project. According to Nevada High School agriculture instructor Kevin Cooper, such partnerships do more than preserve machinery – they inspire future agricultural leaders.

Beyond individual projects, Titan’s commitment extends to community engagement. This year marks their inaugural sponsorship of the Central Iowa Tractor Club Display at the Iowa State Fair, featuring over 70 vintage and modern tractors. The exhibit offers fairgoers a tangible connection to farming’s evolution while showcasing student restoration achievements.

From California to Maine, Titan’s specialised antique tractor tyres and restoration support help students master mechanical skills, project management and agricultural history. By bridging generations through these initiatives, Titan reinforces its dual mission: honouring farming’s heritage while equipping the innovators who will shape its future.

Kim Boccardi, VP – Marketing, Titan, said, “At Titan, we believe strong roots lead to a stronger future. Through our Antique Tractor Restoration Program, we're not only helping preserve agricultural history but also inspiring tomorrow’s innovators, teachers, technicians and leaders. I wish I’d had access to a programme like this when I was in 4-H – it truly fosters craftsmanship, education and community, and fuels the passion for farming for generations to come.”

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Bridgestone Americas has unveiled its latest innovation for the trucking industry with the launch of the W920, a tandem-axle radial drive tyre built to deliver reliable performance in all seasons. Engineered with Bridgestone’s next-generation ENLITEN technology, the W920 combines extended tread life, superior traction, and sustainability enhancements to meet the evolving demands of commercial fleets.

As the third ENLITEN-equipped tyre introduced for the commercial truck segment in 2025, the W920 represents Bridgestone’s commitment to advanced engineering that aligns with both operational efficiency and environmental goals. The tyre builds on the success of its predecessor, the W919, with notable improvements, including Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification for dependable performance in rain and snow.

Fleet operators can expect a six percent increase in wear life compared to competitors like the Michelin XDS 2, translating to an estimated 10,000 additional miles (17,000 kilometres) per tyre, states the company. The W920’s non-directional tread design simplifies mounting and rotation, while features such as stone rejector platforms, specialised tread compounds and full-depth sipes enhance durability and all-weather capability. Additionally, the tyre’s premium casing supports multiple retread cycles, further extending its service life.

Manufactured at Bridgestone’s Warren County Plant in Tennessee, the W920 will debut in the 11R22.5 size, with additional sizes planned for release in 2026.

Brad Booth, Director, Canadian Commercial Sales, Bridgestone Americas, said, “Weather plays a significant role in every fleet’s journey. Our aim with the W920 is to mitigate risks and elements that weather brings to the road and give drivers more confidence in these uncertain conditions. The Bridgestone W920 tyre with ENLITEN technology illustrates our company’s passion for bringing products to the market that directly respond to the needs of fleets in different regions.”

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The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) projects total tyre shipments will reach a historic high of 340.2 million units in 2025, surpassing the previous record of 337.3 million set in 2024. This represents a 0.9 percent year-over-year increase and a 2.3 percent gain compared to 2019 levels (332.7 million), signalling continued recovery and growth in the tyre industry.

The forecast reveals diverging trends between original equipment (OE) and replacement markets. OE shipments are expected to decline across all categories, with passenger tyres dropping 2.0 percent (42.3 million units), light truck tyres down 1.4 percent (6.6 million) and truck tyres falling 8.0 percent (5.2 million) compared to 2024. This 1.4-million-unit overall reduction reflects softening demand from vehicle manufacturers.

In contrast, the replacement market shows robust growth, particularly in light truck (37.7 million units, +2.5 percent) and truck tyres (24.3 million, +3.7 percent), which have surged 15.7 percent and 28.2 percent, respectively, since 2019. Passenger replacement tyres (224.2 million) maintain steady demand with a 1.2 percent annual increase. Combined, replacement shipments are projected to grow by 4.4 million units in 2025.

These trends highlight shifting dynamics in the tyre industry, with aftermarket demand driving overall growth even as OE shipments contract. The data suggests consumers are prioritising tyre replacements and upgrades, potentially influenced by extended vehicle ownership cycles and evolving fleet needs.

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