MMTC to market Chinese truck-bus tyres in India

The Indian tyre market may become more competitive as State-run MMTC Ltd has finalised plans to market Chinese truck-bus tyres in India. Cross-ply and radial tyres both are to be imported from April 2008 onwards. MMTC is planning to grab 15-20 per cent share of the 1.2-lakh-import market for bus tyres in the country. Apart from directly marketing to large fleet-owners including the State transport corporations, MMTC is also setting up its own dealer network for retail sales.

At present, 35-odd small players dominate tyre import trade. MMTC is set to emerge as the first major outfit to start importing tyres in India. The entry of MMTC will help in consolidation of the trade. Also there would be resistance on increase in prices of tyres by local companies going forward.