Tyre-makers seek dumping duty on bus/truck radials from China

Reiterating its demand for early imposition of anti-dumping duty on import of truck and bus radial (TBR) tyres from China, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) said that the imports have posted a 9 per cent growth in FY17. Quoting latest statistics, ATMA revealed that TBR imports has been spiralling in the last few years and the figure has touched a high of 1.2 lakh units per month in FY17 from 40,000 units in FY14. Imported tyres account for 40 per cent of the replacement demand for TBR in India causing a blow to the domestic industry which has invested heavily in TBR manufacturing, ATMA has said. TBR has emerged as the growth driver for the industry. Unfortunately, indiscriminate import has queered the pitch for the domestic tyre sector. With expansion in capacity for TBR, the capacity utilisation levels have come down to 60-65 per cent from 80-85 per cent three years ago, said Satish Sharma, Chairman of ATMA.