A study of the 2024 Global Tire Report recently released by Tire Business has been a gratifying experience. From a turnover of USD 93 billion in 2004 to USD 192 billion in 2023, the Global Tyre Industry has added nearly 100 billion dollars in the last 20 years, which can only be termed significant. After a flat growth in 2022, the industry witnessed a resurgence in 2023 with a growth of 4 percent to reach the highest-ever turnover of USD 192 billion, breaching the earlier high of USD 189 billion achieved way back in 2012. 

The number of global tyre plants has gone up consistently from 497 in 2012 to 573 in 2022 to 584 in 2023. Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear and Continental continue to be the four largest global tyre majors for several years now. Interestingly, all these four have a manufacturing presence in India too, making the Indian market a vibrant one.

Asia's dominance continues with the presence of 360 tyre plants (62 percent of total) in the continent. A closer study reveals that India has the second largest number of tyre plants in the world (65) only after 156 of China. With nine plants, MRF holds the second rank in Asia in terms of number of plants after Bridgestone’s 23.

 What’s striking is the steady march of Indian tyre companies. Yet again, five Indian companies find pride of place in the top 30 global companies in the world. These include Apollo, MRF, JK, CEAT and BKT, in order of ranking.

Moreover, Indian tyre companies have been moving up the charts. In the last 10 years, MRF has moved up one rank, Apollo has moved up three ranks. In the same period, JK has moved up six ranks, while CEAT has moved up by a full 10 ranks. BKT has made an entry in the top 30 by moving up 12 ranks in the last 10 years.

What has propelled the upward journey of Indian tyre majors is the steady increase in tyre manufacturing footprint in the country and expansion in exports. In the true spirit of Make in India and Atma Nirbhar Bharat, tyre production in India has nearly doubled in the last 10 years. Industry turnover has gone up from INR 450 billion to INR 900 billion during this period and is expected to conclude the ongoing year with a turnover of INR 1 trillion.

Tyre exports too have nearly doubled in the last five years, from INR 128.44 billion in FY20 to INR 230.73 billion in FY24. This expansion in exports underscores India's growing role as a player in the global tyre supply chains, contributing significantly to meeting international demand.

Indian companies rank amongst top five in terms of the number of plants manufacturing different categories of tyres. In the case of TBB, India continues as a major hub of manufacturing, with JK, MRF and Apollo counting amongst the top five. Amongst motorcycle plants, MRF and CEAT are in the top five. BKT is in the top five when it comes to OTR and industrial tyre plants. MRF leads the world with the highest number of racing tyre plants (three) followed by JK. 

In terms of Capex spending as a percent of sales, MRF and BKT rank at 2^nd and 3^rd place amongst top 30 tyre majors in the world. What’s more, CEAT, JK and Apollo are all in the top 20.

When it comes to R&D spend as a percent of sales, all five Indian tyre companies are in top 20 in the world, underscoring the unmistakable accent on innovation and R&D. CEAT leads the chart amongst Indian tyre majors with 1.5 percent of sales apportioned for R&D spend.  

The R&D investments are enabling Indian companies to produce high-performance tyres that cater to diverse requirements, from passenger vehicles to specialised uses in agriculture and industry. Another area where R&D effort is directed is the focus on sustainable materials and eco-friendly practices that align well with a global shift towards greener, more responsible manufacturing.

As is evident, Indian tyre manufacturers are not sitting on their laurels. Looking to the future, they are exploring digital technologies, such as IoT and data analytics, to improve efficiency and product performance. This tech-forward approach will be essential for meeting the evolving needs of the automotive industry, especially as electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous vehicles (AVs) become more prominent.

Here it is important to underline the Indian government’s supportive policies that have been instrumental in the growth of the tyre industry. Initiatives encouraging local manufacturing and favourable trade policies have supported the growth of the Indian tyre industry.

The achievements of the Indian tyre industry are a testament to the resilience and adaptability to rise to the occasion. As the industry evolves, a bright future is promised in the years to come. 

The author is the Director General of the New Delhi-based tyre industry association, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA). The views expressed here are personal.

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Discount Tire has earned a prominent position on Glassdoor's Best Places To Work 2026 list, ranking 14th in Consumer Services and within the top 100 US employers. This distinction is awarded to organisations with over 1,000 employee reviews on Glassdoor and a minimum rating of 3.5. For the Scottsdale-based retailer, with more than 1,250 locations nationally, the honour underscores a long-standing commitment to its workforce.

The company cultivates a people-first culture for its over 30,000 employees by providing substantial career growth, thorough training, leadership development and competitive benefits. This philosophy, centred on serving others and empowering personal goals, previously earned Discount Tire top Glassdoor rankings from 2018 through 2021. The latest recognition reaffirms its status as an employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and progressive workplace.

Dean Muglia, Chief Executive Officer, said, "We treat our people like family. We're honoured to be recognised by both current and former employees and Glassdoor as a best place to work. We strive every day to deliver the most inviting, easy and safe experience possible for our people and our customers."

Michael Zuieback, Executive Chairman, said, "Through six and a half decades of growth, our primary commitments have stayed true: We want to take care of people and help make more dreams come true.”

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Radar Tyres has entered a significant, multi-year global partnership with Cricket South Africa, a strategic move to build its brand within a sport enjoyed by a worldwide audience. This alliance grants the company headline sponsorship for the Proteas Men’s and Women’s T20 International sides, alongside associate partnership status for their ODI and Test matches. Radar will also be the headline partner for South Africa’s Under-19 national teams.

The collaboration provides substantial visibility, featuring exclusive logo placement on both match and training kits, with the new T20I apparel already unveiled. For Radar, this investment is a key step in leveraging high-profile platforms to enhance global brand recognition, all while maintaining its commitment to providing high-quality, value-driven tyre products.

G S Sareen, President and CEO, Omni United, said, "Becoming the Global Partner of the Proteas marks a significant milestone in Radar Tyres' global brand journey and reflects our belief in sport as a powerful platform to build brand equity, strengthen dealer support, enhance trust and credibility and connect with households worldwide. Through this partnership, we are able to engage with cricket fans both locally and globally while reinforcing Radar Tyres' as a reliable, performance-driven brand committed to delivering premium-performance at an accessible price point."

Pholetsi Moseki, Chief Executive Officer, CSA, said, "CSA is extremely proud to partner with Radar Tyres, an organisation that shares our values and commitment to excellence. This partnership is a significant milestone, securing support not only for our senior teams but for our junior teams as well. This partnership reflects our deliberate approach to working with like-minded organisations, guided by a long-term vision of developing the game, supporting our players and delivering memorable experiences for fans. Radar Tyres' support also reinforces CSA's commitment to excellence and inclusion, strengthening our ability to drive high performance across all levels."

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For the second consecutive year, the Alliance for the Future of Tyres (AZuR) has been shortlisted for the German Award for Sustainability Projects, following its 2025 win. This renewed nomination underscores the jury’s recognition of AZuR as a pioneering force in sustainability, particularly for its dedicated efforts to advance tyre retreading as a core component of a circular economy. The 2026 award ceremony will be held under the patronage of Brigitte Zypries on 17 September in Berlin.

AZuR’s multifaceted initiative extends well beyond theoretical advocacy. Its work gained significant international attention with the Retreading Summit, held in September 2025 at KRONE Trailer in Werlte. This event convened experts from industry, politics, academia and media for two days of intensive dialogue on the potential, challenges and necessary policy frameworks for tyre modernisation, leading to the launch of concrete action plans. Furthermore, the alliance drives progress through strategic communications and direct support for flagship projects, such as the new passenger car tyre retreading facility established by Rigdon in Pfaffenhofen.

Central to AZuR’s mission is transforming public perception by demonstrating that worn tyres are valuable resources, not waste. Through ongoing awareness campaigns, it highlights the substantial ecological and economic benefits of retreaded tyres, which can be refurbished multiple times to conserve raw materials, reduce climate impact and offer cost-effective solutions. The German Award for Sustainability Projects, judged by a panel chaired by Prof Dr Claudia Kemfert of DIW Berlin, evaluates entries based on their innovation, impact and relevance to a sustainable future. AZuR’s repeated shortlisting affirms that its model for a tyre circular economy is a replicable and exemplary system with groundbreaking potential.

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Seasoned tyre industry executive Manish Maharaj has embarked on a new professional chapter, joining Balkrishna Industries Ltd (BKT Tires) in a senior leadership capacity after a distinguished 11-year tenure with Apollo Tyres Ltd.

In his new role at BKT Tires, Maharaj has been appointed General Manager and Head of Business Finance, where he will focus on enhancing financial strategy, driving performance-driven growth, and building scalable systems to support BKT’s global expansion ambitions.

“I am thrilled to begin a new chapter with BKT Tires,” said Maharaj.

Maharaj’s career at Apollo spanned multiple strategic roles in one of the world’s leading tyre manufacturers, most recently serving as Regional Chief Financial Officer for South East Asia, the Middle East and Africa, and later as Business Head for South East Asia. In these capacities, he led multi-market commercial and financial operations, driving robust business performance across diverse cultural and economic environments.

At Apollo, Maharaj was responsible for charting growth strategies in fast-evolving markets, strengthening distributor partnerships, and reinforcing brand positioning across key ASEAN economies. His leadership coincided with initiatives to expand premium brand presence in Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines & South Korea and foster deeper retail engagement across the ASEAN region.

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