Michelin undertaking trial production at Chennai plant

January 8, 2014: Tyre maker Michelin which had entered into an MoU with the Tamil Nadu government in 2009 for investing Rs 4,000 crore in a manufacturing facility near Chennai over 7 years is currently conducting pre-production trials at the plant. The unit will go on stream within a few months, a company official told Autocar Professional. The plant, which was to produce truck and bus radials for the commercial vehicle market, has been bogged down by delays in the face of the slowdown plaguing the industry.

Meanwhile, Michelin India is pushing for new growth in the nascent two-wheeler radial tyre market and has launched tyres for the sports and super bike range as well as the 250-500cc motorcycle segment, and pitted at the aftermarket.

Targeting urban youth, the ISI-marked radial tyres namely Michelin Pilot Road 2 and Michelin Pilot Street will find fitment in the Ducati Monster, Honda CBR 1000R, Suzuki Bandit, Kawasaki ZZR, Kawasaki Ninja 250, Ninja 300, Honda CBR 250 and CB 300R among others.

Pradeep Thampy, commercial director, motorcycle and scooter tyres, Michelin India, said at the launch today: “Biking is rapidly becoming an extension of the personality for the young at heart which is fueling the growth of the Indian premium bike segment. There is a gradual but sure shift from usage of bikes from utilitarian to leisure and recreation. This segment is only going to increase with industry analysts pegging the annual growth at 25 percent.”

The Michelin Pilot Road 2 has been designed specifically for 500cc-plus bikes. It is manufactured with the two-compound technology from Michelin’s MotoGP technology which offers dual performance capabilities in softer rubber on the shoulders for grip and harder rubber in the centre for increased mileage. The Michelin Pilot Street radial has been designed with two high modulus low shrinkage polyester carcass plies providing the necessary rigidity for optimal handling performances as well as expected endurance. It is supported by a circumferential belt made of aramid material for an optimised contact patch. Thampy said that while these tyres are imported, Michelin is producing locally bias tyres for the 150-200cc bike market in India through third party manufacturers. He visualises huge growth potential for two-wheeler radial tyres in India with one million new bikes being registered every month in the country.

SHOBHA MATHUR