Tyre Exports From India up 50%

18th Edition Of CITEXPO Exhibition Postponed to 12-14 December 2022

Recording one of the highest growths across sectors, tyre exports from India jumped 50 per cent to reach a historically high figure of INR 21,178 crore in FY 2021-22, according to the data from the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India. In the previous year, tyre exports stood at just over INR 14,000 crore. 

In the last two financial years when international trade was disrupted due to the Covid pandemic, tyre exports from India have gone up by 70 per cent. 

Satish Sharma, Chairman, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), said, “The export performance bears testament to the ability of the Indian tyre industry to meet the rising expectations from India in the new geo-political scenario despite the odds of challenging times.” 

While farm/ agri and OTR/ industrial tyres have traditionally been the largest exported tyre categories from the country, truck & bus radial (TBR) tyre exports have been fast rising up the charts and have grown nearly 2.5 times in the last three years from INR 1,263 crore in FY19 to INR 3,095 crore in FY22. 

The new radial facilities set up by Indian tyre manufacturers vie with the best in the world in terms of technology helping the country notch up an impressive performance in exports, the release said, adding that India’s global standing as a reliable supplier of products has also been a
big positive. 

Sharma added, “The industry is vastly helped by the Atma Nirbhar policy of the government aimed at creating an enabling environment for growth of the industry. The curb on indiscriminate import of tyres has helped the industry increase size and scale of production and align with global supply chains.” 

Currently, Indian manufactured tyres are being exported to over 170 countries in the world including some of the most discerning markets in North America and Europe. The US continues to be the largest market for Indian tyres accounting for 19 per cent of total tyres exported from the country during the year. The top five export markets for Indian manufactured tyres in FY22 were US, Germany, Brazil, UK and France. 

The Tyre Industry has the potential of further doubling exports from India in the next 3-4 years. While supply chain disruption is a global concern affecting industries and will get streamlined in due course of time, certain roadblocks faced by the tyre industry domestically need to be addressed on priority to provide a fillip to the exports. These concerns pertain to accessing Natural Rubber (NR) the key raw material in which India is vastly deficient. For instance, tyre industry needs to adhere to pre-import conditions for NR import against (tyre) export obligation. This makes the operations very constrictive and affects export performance, the release pointed out. 

Growth in exports will benefit the entire Rubber value chain including a million tyre growers who are largely dependent on the growth of tyre industry, it added. (TT)  

Maxxis Debuts Next-Gen MaxxTerra Compound With 30% Longer Tread Life

Maxxis Debuts Next-Gen MaxxTerra Compound With 30% Longer Tread Life

Maxxis has unveiled the next iteration of its MaxxTerra rubber compound, engineered to substantially enhance both durability and traction for mountain bike tyres. The updated formulation maintains the low rolling resistance that characterises the brand’s performance range, addressing rider demands for extended tyre life without compromising capability on difficult trails.

Following extensive laboratory development and testing, Maxxis engineers achieved measurable improvements over the original compound. The new version exhibits a minimum 30 percent increase in tread wear resistance and a 15 percent gain in grip, all while preserving rolling efficiency. This advancement translates to prolonged riding sessions and reduced frequency of tyre changes for end users.

The enhanced compound will be progressively integrated across the entire trail tyre lineup, with the initial phase currently available. Consumers can distinguish the updated product through packaging marked with a ‘New MaxxTerra’ graphic, while the tyre’s sidewall badge now simply displays ‘MaxxTerra’, replacing the previous ‘3C MaxxTerra’ designation.

Goodyear Blimp Completes Historic Return To New York For America's 250th

Goodyear Blimp Completes Historic Return To New York For America's 250th

The Goodyear Blimp is set to reclaim the New York City skyline during the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. On 4th July, the iconic aircraft will provide millions of Americans with a unique aerial perspective of Sail 4th 250, a premier maritime event that boasts the largest assembly of tall ships globally. The aerial broadcast is scheduled to commence at 7 AM Eastern Standard Time on NBC’s TODAY Show.

Wingfoot One, a seasoned veteran of the skies with a long history of appearing at significant national events, will be soaring over the metropolis. In a notable operational shift, the blimp will establish its ground presence in Brooklyn for the first time in half a century, marking a historic return not just to the city’s airspace but also to its soil. This strategic move is designed to capture the best possible views of the activities in New York Harbor.

This appearance marks the blimp’s fourth participation in an Operation Sail event, having previously been a staple at the inaugural 1964 celebration, the Bicentennial in 1976 and the Statue of Liberty’s centennial in 1986. Its return for America’s 250th anniversary serves as a natural role for the aerial ambassador of Goodyear, a company that has been rooted in the United States for over 125 years and remains the nation’s sole major tyre manufacturer.

Julianne Roberts, Senior Director, Marketing, said, "For more than half the history of the United States, Goodyear science has contributed not only to the success of the American automotive industry by producing tyres worth bragging about but also to the protection of the country through military service, including blimps that helped ensure the safety of the Navy.”

MICHELIN Connected Fleet Unveils AI Assistant To Streamline Fleet Management

MICHELIN Connected Fleet Unveils AI Assistant To Streamline Fleet Management

MICHELIN Connected Fleet has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant directly within its MyConnectedFleet web platform, designed to enhance operational efficiency for fleet managers. The new tool delivers immediate, data-driven responses to user queries, significantly reducing the time traditionally spent on manual research and data compilation. By integrating seamlessly into the existing portal, the assistant provides a streamlined approach to managing complex fleet information.

The AI system transforms raw fleet usage data into actionable insights, enabling managers to make quicker, more informed decisions. It supports a wide range of practical requests, from generating reports on driver fuel efficiency and identifying trucks requiring tyre maintenance to checking vehicle availability and calculating monthly fuel costs. The assistant is built as a closed, secure system to ensure the confidentiality of all fleet data, addressing key concerns about information security.

Functioning as a comprehensive partner for managers of heavy goods vehicles, passenger transport and light commercial vehicles, the tool offers real-time analysis of fuel consumption, driver behaviour and journey metrics. It provides immediate answers for both simple safety and cost-related questions and more complex analytical tasks, presenting findings in text or visual formats. Future updates to the solution will be guided by direct customer feedback, ensuring its continuous evolution.

The MICHELIN AI Assistant is currently available to customers across 10 countries, including United Kingdom, United States and several European nations. It leverages over a century of mobility expertise and three decades of data science experience, responding to the belief of most fleet managers that AI will transform their sector. The assistant can also be paired with other technologies, such as onboard cameras and tyre inspection systems, to form a cohesive, practical solution for modern fleet operations.

Sophie Foucque, CEO, MICHELIN Connected Fleet, Europe, Africa and Australia, said, “The AI Assistant is the natural evolution of our DNA, which is built around supporting our customers. Co-developed with some of our largest customers, it offers a more intuitive way to interact with vehicle usage data while removing the need to generate multiple reports. Augmented fleet managers can therefore focus fully on the performance of their operations.”

Continental Debuts Sensor Ready Tyres With Integrated Monitoring Pocket

Continental Debuts Sensor Ready Tyres With Integrated Monitoring Pocket

Continental Tires Americas has introduced Sensor Ready commercial tyres, designed to streamline digital monitoring for fleets of all sizes. Leveraging over a decade of expertise and more than 121,000 connected wheel positions in the Americas, the company continues expanding its data-driven portfolio. The initial rollout features the Conti Coach HA3 product line, underscoring the manufacturer's commitment to digital-first solutions.

A defining characteristic is the integration of a dedicated sensor pocket directly into the tyre during curing, eliminating aftermarket gluing that previously took up to 14 minutes per installation. The pocket securely holds Continental's proprietary sensor, a key ContiConnect ecosystem component that transmits critical metrics like pressure, temperature and mileage. A clear Sensor Ready logo on the sidewall provides immediate visual confirmation of compatibility for fleets, dealers and retreaders.

The new system significantly reduces installation time and labour requirements at maintenance facilities and retread shops while ensuring consistent, reliable sensor placement. Fleets can choose tyres with sensors pre-installed from the factory or opt for quick, tool-free installation later. The Sensor Ready logo facilitates swift decision-making across the tyre's lifecycle, and the integrated pocket remains intact during retreading, allowing efficient sensor reinstallation without compromising casing performance.

Digital monitoring delivers measurable business impact, including reduced fuel consumption, extended tyre life and fewer roadside incidents. For smaller operations, Continental offers ContiConnect Lite, a mobile application providing a plug-and-play monitoring solution. This advancement reinforces Continental's vision of a connected, intelligent tyre ecosystem that enhances safety, sustainability and cost management.

Renato Sarzano, Head of Truck Tires Americas, Continental, said, “Digital tyre monitoring is becoming essential for improving fleet safety, efficiency and sustainability. With Sensor Ready tyres, we are offering one of the most advanced and user-friendly solutions on the market – reducing installation time, improving reliability and making it easier than ever for fleets to adopt connected tyre technologies.”