According to figures released by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), motorcycle tyre production in December last year grew 18 per cent at 18,89,116 units against 16,04,130 units in the same month in 2004.

Production of passenger car tyres rose 13 per cent from 11,27,619 units in December 2004 to 12,77,830 units in December 2005. Production of commercial vehicles tyres moved up nine per cent to 10,52,270 units in December 2005 as compared to 9,68,239 units in December 2004, the ATMA said.

Production of scooter tyres, however, went down by 9 per cent to 8,34,582 units inn December 2005 as compared to 9,14,148 units in the same month in 2004. On the export front, commercial vehicle tyres – the biggest volume segment – saw a 17 per cent fall in demand in December 2005 at 2,01,940 units against 2,43,720 in the same period a year ago.

Passenger car tyres export also went down by 22 per cent to 75,593 in December 2005 from 96,345 units, the ATMA said. Export of motorcycle tyres though grew by 18 per cent to 10,825 units as compared to 9,204 units exported in December 2004.