Michelin considering manufacturing tyres for cars in India

Michelin also gets 2-wheeler tyres manufactured in the country through a partner.

According to Florent Menegaux, CEO of Michelin, the French tyre brand is considering manufacturing car tyres in India. It would help the company scale up its operations in India.

Michelin sees India as a great developing market, where infrastructure is developing at a fast pace. Menegaux believes that with proper infrastructure, the speed of vehicles will increase and the relevance of the brand's technology will be even more visible.

Michelin is looking to invest in the country to boost its passenger car tyre capacity, which is currently limited to premium bigger-size tyres for performance cars and radial tyres for trucks and buses. It has a production facility in Chennai with an installed capacity of over 30,000 tonnes per annum. Michelin also gets 2-wheeler tyres manufactured in the country through a partner.

In 2020, the government of India imposed curbs on imports of certain tyres used in cars, buses, trucks, and motorcycles with an aim to promote domestic manufacturing. Menegaux stated that it was a bit disappointing for the company which was in the process of scaling up operations in the country.

Michelin employs close to 1.32 lakh people globally, with 2,300 of them in India. The company has set up a centre for artificial intelligence in Pune.

Source: ET