Kumho Aces in JD Power’s 2021 Owner Satisfaction Survey of OE Passenger Tyres
- By TT News
- March 31, 2021
Kumho Tyre scored notably highly in the widely contested passenger car category in a survey of customer satisfaction held by J.D. Power.
At +4.8 per cent it achieved by far the greatest improvement year on year of the fourteen brands under scrutiny, which left the South Korean manufacturer in 3rd place overall – beaten only by Michelin and Goodyear.
The 2021 survey measured tyre owner satisfaction across four categories covering OE tyres for passenger, luxury, performance and truck/utility vehicles. It was based on responses from no less than 26,131 owners of 2018 and 2019 model-year vehicles, and the key criteria in order of importance were; wear, ride, traction/handling and appearance.
J.D Power’s globally-renowned automotive surveys carry considerable weight with consumers and are therefore also treated very seriously by the industry at large. It was back in 1984 that Subaru became the first automotive company to utilise its success in the J.D. Power rankings in the promotion of its products, since when the rankings have reputedly been referenced in more than two billion advertisements, making a household name of J.D. Power and Associates.
Commenting on the results of the new tyre survey, a Kumho spokesperson, said, “Though this particular survey was confined to the American market, the suppliers involved are the biggest names in the tyre industry, who sell their products in all corners of the world. Our success is therefore of significance well beyond the shores of the USA.” (TT)
VIPO a.s., a Slovakian manufacturer of bead winding and apexing machinery for tyre production, has established a wholly owned subsidiary in India to capitalise on growing demand in one of the world's largest automotive markets.
VIPO INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED commences operations on 1 October from New Delhi, providing technical support, spare parts production, and customer service to tyre manufacturers across the country, the Partizánske-based company said in a statement.
The move represents a significant expansion for the mid-sized engineering firm, which supplies automation equipment to tyre makers globally. India's tyre industry has expanded rapidly in recent years, driven by robust vehicle sales and infrastructure development.
"The launch of VIPO INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED is a milestone in our global expansion," said Peter Duchovic, chief executive of VIPO a.s. "India represents not only one of the fastest-growing tyre and automotive markets but also a hub of innovation."
The subsidiary will offer locally produced components for high-wear parts and provide digital services including artificial intelligence-driven condition monitoring and augmented reality-based training programmes, the company said.
VIPO specialises in bead winding lines - equipment used to produce the steel wire bundles that anchor tyres to wheel rims. The company stated that its systems incorporate robotics and automation to reduce energy consumption and enhance production efficiency.
"With our New Delhi subsidiary, we will be closer to our customers — listening carefully to their requirements and integrating their needs into the development of new devices and services," Duchovic said.
The firm has committed to the Science Based Targets initiative, a framework for corporate emissions reductions aligned with climate science, according to the statement.
Michelin Rolls Out First Indian-Made Premium Car Tyres in Chennai
- By TT News
- September 30, 2025
French group targets fast-growing SUV segment with INR 6.86 billion
Michelin has produced its first premium passenger car tyre in India, marking a strategic shift for the French manufacturer’s Chennai facility, which previously focused exclusively on commercial vehicle production.
The plant unveiled the made-in-India passenger tyres on Tuesday, with commercial availability planned for the first half of 2026. The company will target the premium segment with products ranging from 16 to 22 inches, including its Primacy 5 range as the initial offering.
Michelin will manufacture its LTX Trail ST, Pilot Sport 4 SUV, Pilot Sport 5, and Primacy 5 ranges in India.
The move follows Michelin’s September 2024 announcement of an INR5.64 billion investment in passenger car tyre manufacturing. The group has since added over INR 1 billion for subsequent phases, bringing total investment to INR 6.86 billion, supplementing the INR 28 billion already deployed at the Chennai site.
India’s passenger car market, valued at USD 18.13 billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 33.85 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of approximately 11 percent. Sport utility vehicles now account for more than half the market, a trend that Michelin is positioning itself to capitalise on.
“Better infrastructure, rising disposable income, changing consumer preference of the growing Indian middle class’s desire for more versatile, spacious, and feature-rich vehicles are fuelling growth and premiumisation of the car park,” the company said in a statement.
Michelin scaled production in 12 months from announcement to first output, including 50,000 hours of employee training at various Michelin factories overseas. The new passenger car line spans 22,000 square metres and incorporates what the company describes as “Industry 5.0” automation.
The facility requires only 200 employees, compared to the industry standard of 500 for comparable capacity, according to Michelin. The Chennai plant already produces 38 tyre variants for trucks, buses and defence applications, with all business-to-business products fitted with radio-frequency identification tags.
Michelin has expanded its retail presence to 75 standalone service centres across India and opened what it terms an “experience store” in Nashik. The company plans to expand this network as production increases.
The Chennai facility operates with a zero carbon footprint, zero liquid discharge, and complete recycling, sourcing 80 per cent of its water from rainwater harvesting while drawing 45 per cent of its energy from renewable sources.
The company, which employs 129,800 people across 175 countries, positions itself as a “world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites” with operations spanning mobility, construction, aeronautics and healthcare sectors.
Jay Dhillon Appointed As President Of BKT USA
- By TT News
- September 29, 2025
In a strategic move to bolster its position in the United States, Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT Tires) has announced two key executive appointments for its American operations. The company has named Jay Dhillon as the President of BKT USA and appointed Minoo Mehta as a Senior Advisor.
With more than two decades of international experience in the tyre sector, Dhillon will be responsible for leading the Ohio-based subsidiary. His mandate is to drive long-term growth by expanding into new and existing markets, aligning all business units with strategic objectives and cultivating profitable partnerships to ensure sustainable industry leadership.
Mehta, taking charge from 1 October 2025, will focus specifically on the truck and bus radial tyre segment, providing expertise to support the development and launch of new product lines. This dual appointment is designed to strengthen the company's overall strategy and market presence across its key off-highway and radial tyre businesses in the US.
Dhillon said, “I am excited to join the BKT team and contribute to its forward-looking growth. With over 20 years in the tyre industry and an engineering background, my goal is to lead the team and drive success during this dynamic time while upholding the company’s commitment to quality, innovation and excellence.”
BKT Accelerates On-Road Tyre Push With Dedicated Base At NATRAX
- By TT News
- September 29, 2025
Mumbai-based Balkrishna Industries (BKT), a major player in the global Off-Highway Tyre (OHT) market, is making a significant move to expand its footprint in the on-road vehicle tyre segment with the inauguration of a new ‘Vehicle Dynamics & Testing’ (VD&T) base at the National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX) facility in Indore.
The new base leverages India's premier automotive testing grounds – Asia's second-largest and longest – to enhance BKT’s product development, particularly across the two-wheeler, passenger car radial (PCR) and commercial vehicle radial segments.
BKT's strategic decision to establish the VD&T base, inaugurated by Satish Sharma, Sr President & Director - Business Development and Strategy, marks a major step in the company's commitment to enter new segments.
By tapping into NATRAX's state-of-the-art infrastructure, BKT aims to accelerate new product development, enhance performance & reliability and address evolving needs by utilising real-world testing scenarios to cater to the specific demands of Indian and international consumers.
The facility is equipped with advanced machinery and an expert R&D team, providing a critical hub for high-quality, innovative tyre development across all mobility segments.
Access to NATRAX will enable BKT to test its tyres across a comprehensive range of real-world driving conditions and parameters, including – ride & handling, comfort, braking performance, durability and off-road terrain simulation.
These robust testing capabilities are crucial for meeting the requirements of both Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and the replacement market. The goal is to ensure that every tyre offers world-class quality and gives everyday consumers confidence in its performance.
By investing in dedicated R&D at NATRAX, BKT is not only reinforcing its position in the global tyre industry but is also signalling its serious intent to become a formidable competitor in the rapidly growing on-road vehicle tyre market.
Satish Sharma, said, “At BKT, we are leveraging our decades of expertise in off-highway tyres as we expand into on-road vehicle segment. Our entry into the consumer space is guided by a clear commitment: developing tyres that users can trust for safety, comfort, mileage and reliability on every journey. The establishment of dedicated VD&T base at NATRAX marks a pivotal step in our journey to deliver world-class tyres across segments. This facility empowers us to simulate real-world conditions and rigorously test our products for performance, safety and durability. By addressing key consumer pain point, be it ride comfort, braking efficiency, or terrain adaptability; we are committed to engineering solutions that truly elevate the driving experience.”
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