Neeraj Kanwar, managing director of Apollo Tyres Ltd, was unanimously elected as the next chairman of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association, the body of the Indian tire industry, at its general meeting this week.
As chairman, Kanwar is faced with two key challenges: falling exports out of India and increased dumping of low-cost tires (costing as much as 30% below Indian
prices) into the country.
ATMA’s key members are the 8 largest Indian tire manufacturers, who account for 90% of the Indian tire market. The group acts as a communication vehicle between the tire manufacturers and the government on legislation and requisite policy changes, often assisting in relevant policy formulation, especially on bi- and multi-trade agreements and WTO issues. ATMA works through five key committees: marketing, exports, purchase or raw materials, taxation and technical.