ARL Tyres Expanding Footprint in Defence, EV and Commercial Sectors
- By Mohnish Bose
- May 06, 2025
Hyderabad-based manufacturer targets 2 million monthly units within five years
In recent years, Hyderabad-based ARL Tyres has proven to be a versatile and innovative player with ambitious strategic goals. From providing specialised rubber items to the Indian military to creating innovative solutions for the emerging electric vehicle segment, ARL Tyres has shown remarkable resilience since its inception as a family enterprise in 1983.
With production levels now crossing 150,000 units per month and ambitious goals to reach two million units per month in five years, ARL is placing itself at the cusp of conventional industrial manufacturing and future mobility solutions. Its recent appearance at the Ride Asia EV Expo showcased the company’s wide range of products and its dedication to supporting India’s developing transportation infrastructure with niche products such as Smart Tyres and terrain-specific Mud Master range.
Hyderabad-based ARL Tyres, a division of Agarwal Rubber Limited, recently showcased its products, including tyres and tubes, at the Ride Asia EV Expo held at Bharat Mandapam this year. The company has established itself as a trusted partner for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. It offers a comprehensive range of products, including tyres for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs). It is also known for manufacturing Smart Tyres.
Growth Plans
The types of tyres being produced at this company include those for ultra-light trucks, two-wheelers, forklifts, tractors and light trucks. The company manufactures approximately 12,000 tyres daily at its production facility, selling across different areas of the country due to a 400-strong network of exclusive dealers.

According to Gautam Ghosh, Head-West Zone at ARL Tyres, “We are very optimistic about tyre sales in 2025 as there is tremendous potential in the EV sector. So far, in 2025, we have been averaging close to 150,000 units per month. Expect us to touch 0.2 to 0.25 million units a month by the end of this year.”
Continuing the expansion plan, the company intends to touch at least two million monthly units in five years. This growth is supported by its extensive network of exclusive dealers distributed across various regions of India.
Technical Expertise and Manufacturing Capabilities
In 2000, ARL Tyres gathered in-depth knowledge about all the major tyre technologies, manufacturing processes and industry standards. Apart from tyres, this ISO 9001:2015-certified company is also known for manufacturing high-quality flaps, envelopes, curing bags, bladders and butyl tubes.
Today, the company boasts an ultra-modern tube manufacturing unit that produces roughly 50,000 high-grade butyl rubber automotive tubes. While the range begins with two-wheeler sizes, it also extends to the aviation and OTR (Off-The-Road) sectors
Defence Sector Connection
Since 1996, ARL’s technical expertise in rubber has enabled it to supply tubes to the Indian defence sector. The durability and performance of its products have made ARL a preferred OEM supplier for the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Limited), and HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited).
Products for E3W Segment
For the electric three-wheeler market, which includes auto-rickshaws (passenger and commercial) and e-rickshaws, ARL offers both tube-type and tubeless tyres in sizes 4.00-12 and 4.50-12. The company markets two brands for this vehicle category: the Savera and the Xtreme.
According to the company, individuals should choose the Savera for its performance, safety, and durability on urban and semi-urban roads. Its non-skid Depth (NSD) ranges from 5.5 mm to 6.5 mm, which gives it good grip and safety. It would be useful as a passenger and cargo tyre.

On the other hand, ARL Xtreme is a tube-type tyre that optimises long-lasting performance, grip and safety on various roads. It differs from the Savera in terms of design and safety. Unlike the Savera, an NSD of 9mm is available here. Engineers at ARL have created a stylish design for the Xtreme that balances aesthetics and functionality with advanced technology.
Global Reach and Partnerships
Beyond the domestic market, ARL exports its products to more than 60 countries worldwide. Over the years, ARL Tyres has forged a few partnerships with top brands and continues to do so. For example, the company partnered with Chandu Champion, cheered India at the Paris Olympics through its ‘Jeet ki Aur’ campaign, and sponsored RCB during IPL 2025.
Innovative Offerings
Among its unique propositions, ARL offers OEM test drives with new tyres at specific locations, allowing auto manufacturers to fine-tune vehicle designs according to tyres and provide targeted inputs. It also sells Smart Tyres with scientific tread designs for efficient movement. The cross sipes on these tyres differ greatly from regular tyres and help grip wet and muddy surfaces. Instead of relying on vehicle technologies, these tyres are themselves available with real-time monitoring capabilities.
Company History and Client Base
ARL was founded as a family business in 1983 and became a tyre manufacturing company. Mobility companies such as Maa Luxmi India and Ferranza Electric Vehicle Private Limited, which were present at the Ride Asia Expo EV, are clients of ARL, as are the OEM manufacturers Omaha, Arel and Yakuza. While ARL’s trials for the Thukral Electric Bike have already commenced, the dispatches have not yet begun.
- David Cichocki
- Anne Forristall Luke
- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
- U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association
Goodyear Executive David Cichocki Elected to USTMA Board
- By TT News
- May 21, 2026
The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) has elected David Cichocki, Managing Director, Americas, and chief sales officer, Americas Consumer, at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, to its board of directors.
“I’m pleased to welcome David to our Board. His extensive experience and expertise across the tire and consumer goods industries will be invaluable as we navigate today’s complex industry,” said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and chief executive. “His proven leadership will strengthen our ability to seize emerging opportunities.”
Cichocki joined Goodyear in early 2026 and is responsible for overseeing the Americas region and leading the company’s Americas Consumer sales business.
He brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across industrial and consumer goods companies to the USTMA board.
Before joining Goodyear, Cichocki served as senior vice-president of US sales at Whirlpool, where he managed a portfolio valued at more than $10bn across retail and direct-to-consumer channels.
He also spent more than 20 years at Kraft Foods and Nabisco in a range of senior leadership roles.
Santosh Rubber Machinery Founder D N Singh Passes Away
- By Sharad Matade
- May 21, 2026
The Indian rubber and tyre machinery industry is mourning the passing of Daljeet Niranjan Singh, Founder of Santosh Rubber Machinery Pvt Ltd, who passed away yesterday. A prayer meeting in his memory will be held on 23rd May 2026 in Mumbai.
Singh was recognised as a pioneering entrepreneur and industry veteran who played a key role in developing India’s rubber processing machinery sector. Under his leadership, Santosh Rubber Machinery grew into one of the country’s well-known manufacturers of rubber processing equipment, serving customers across the tyre, rubber goods, and industrial manufacturing industries.
Established in 1966, Santosh Rubber Machinery has built a strong reputation for engineering excellence and a wide product portfolio covering rubber mixing mills, dispersion kneaders, extruders, calender machines, hydraulic presses, autoclaves, and tyre recycling systems. The Mumbai-based company operates a 36,000 sq ft manufacturing facility and offers one of the largest ranges of rubber processing machinery under a single roof in India.
The company also earned recognition for its export performance and engineering excellence. Santosh Rubber Machinery has won many export awards. Most recently, it was honoured with the 23rd Export Award for Excellence in Export for Machinery Manufacturing by the All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA), underlining its strong presence in international markets and longstanding contribution to the rubber machinery industry.
Industry associates remembered Singh as a visionary founder, respected mentor, and a man of integrity whose dedication and technical understanding helped shape Santosh Rubber Machinery’s growth over nearly six decades.
According to the family notice, the prayer meet will take place from 5 pm to 7 pm on 23 May 2026 at 1st Floor MPH, Tower A, Esquire by Oberoi Realty, Oberoi Garden City, Goregaon East, Mumbai.
He is survived by his family, loved ones and colleagues, who said his legacy and values will continue to inspire the industry for years to come.
Apollo Tyres Commits INR 35 bln To Expansion Despite Raw Material Inflation And Europe Restructuring
- By Sharad Matade
- May 19, 2026
Apollo Tyres plans to invest INR 35 billion in FY2026-27, with nearly 80 percent of the capital expenditure earmarked for growth and capacity expansion projects across India and Europe, as the tyre maker seeks to meet strong demand despite escalating raw material costs and geopolitical disruption.
Most of the planned investment will be directed towards expanding truck and passenger car tyre capacity in India, while the remainder will support passenger car tyre expansion at the company’s Hungary plant.
Apollo Tyres said capacity utilisation across both India and Europe had reached about 90 percent, with demand remaining strong in replacement and original equipment markets. The company added that April volumes had continued to show strong momentum despite recent price increases.
The company reported consolidated revenue of INR 73.4 billion for the fourth quarter, up more than 14 percent year on year, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation margin improved to 14.6 percent from 13 per cent a year earlier.
Revenue from Indian operations rose 14.3 percent to INR 52.4 billion during the quarter, supported by high-teen volume growth in both replacement and original equipment segments.
Neeraj Kanwar, Vice-Chairman And Managing Director, said geopolitical developments in West Asia continued to create uncertainty and volatility across raw material, energy and logistics costs.
The company expects raw material costs to rise by mid- to high-teens sequentially during the current quarter, led by a sharp increase in natural rubber prices. Apollo Tyres said natural rubber prices had risen to about INR 250 per kg from around INR 200 per kg during the fourth quarter.
To mitigate the pressure, Apollo Tyres has announced price increases of 6-8 percent across product categories in India during the current quarter and indicated that further increases may be necessary.
Gaurav Kumar, Chief Financial Officer, said the inflationary environment remained highly volatile.
“Mid to high teens is the current reality,” Kumar said. “We’ve taken about half the price increase that is needed.”
The company said it was also implementing cost-control measures across operations, including reductions in discretionary spending, as it sought to protect margins from higher commodity and logistics costs.
Apollo Tyres continues to restructure its European manufacturing operations as part of efforts to improve profitability. The company said the closure of its Enschede plant in the Netherlands remained on schedule, with production expected to cease by June 30.
Management said the decision was driven by persistently weak European market conditions, elevated energy costs and unusually high wage inflation in western Europe.
Apollo Tyres has taken a non-cash write-off of EUR 43 million related to the plant closure and expects total restructuring-related cash outflow, including social plan payments and legal costs, to exceed EUR 55m.
The company said the restructuring should begin improving European margins during the second half of FY2026-27 as production shifts towards lower-cost facilities in Hungary and India.
Apollo Tyres added that India and Europe would remain priority markets for future capacity allocation decisions, although export demand in some overseas markets had softened amid broader macroeconomic uncertainty.
Linglong Appoints Pradeep Karat to Lead OTR Sales in ME & Africa
- By TT News
- May 19, 2026
Linglong Tire has appointed Pradeep Karat as Sales Director OTR for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, effective from the beginning of May 2026.
Karat will oversee strategy and sales for the company’s specialty tyres division across the MEA region and report to Jeffrey Hughes, director EMEA. He will work with product and marketing teams to expand the group’s presence in the off-the-road (OTR) tyre segment, develop strategic partnerships and support growth in new markets.
Before joining Linglong, Karat worked at Hankook Tire, where he most recently served as senior manager for truck tyre sales in the Middle East and Africa.
Over a career spanning more than 30 years, he has held sales and marketing management roles at tyre manufacturers including Bridgestone, Goodyear and Continental.
“I am very pleased to be part of the Linglong team with immediate effect and to start as Linglong Sales Director Middle East Africa. I will do everything I can to use my experience and expertise to successfully advance Linglong in the MEA region,” said Karat.
Linglong said Karat would focus on strengthening the company’s position in India and key African markets. He will also work closely with Sherif Degheidy, who joined the company in February.
“I have worked with Pradeep in the Middle East in the past and am very pleased that he is now joining Linglong to help us continue to grow our off-highway business,” Hughes said.
“He brings extensive knowledge of the region, knows how to find new distributors and build strong partnerships. Pradeep will seek to expand Linglong's presence in India as well as in key African markets.”
Karat holds a master’s degree in marketing and economics and speaks Arabic, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam, in addition to English. He will be based in Dubai.


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