Date:17/06/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/06/17/stories/2004061701630200.htm

Back Tyre exports by ATMA members rise 8.59%

K.R. Srivats

New Delhi , June 16

TYRE exports by member companies of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA) registered an 8.59-per cent increase in value terms during 2003-04 to Rs 1,176 crore compared with Rs 1,082 crore recorded in the previous year.

The automotive tyre sector had registered an export turnover of about Rs 1,250 crore during 2002-03.

A significant percentage of the tyres exported is cross-ply tyres even as the world market for such tyres is not expanding. Truck and bus tyres followed by light truck and passenger car tyres account for significant share of the tyre exports from the country.

According to ATMA, truck and bus tyre exports during 2003-04 increased to 22.32 lakh tyres (21.41 lakh tyres). About 21 per cent of the truck and bus tyres produced domestically are exported.

The tyre industry expects the domestic demand for truck and bus tyres to grow by at least five per cent in 2004-05 over and above the 10 per cent growth witnessed in the previous year.