Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) inaugurated a Vehicle Dynamics & Testing base at National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX) in Indore on 28th September, marking the company's expansion from off-highway tyres into passenger vehicle segments. The Mumbai-based manufacturer will use the facility to develop and test tyres for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and two-wheelers.
The move represents BKT's entry into India's growing on-road vehicle tyre market, where domestic and international manufacturers compete for market share across passenger car radial, commercial vehicle radial, and two-wheeler tyre categories. NATRAX serves as Asia's second largest and longest automotive test track facility.
Senior President and Director for Business Development and Strategy Satish Sharma attended the inauguration. The facility will enable BKT to conduct advanced testing and validation for product development targeting both original equipment manufacturers and replacement markets.
The testing base provides access to real-world scenario testing including ride and handling, comfort, braking, durability, and off-road terrain evaluation. These capabilities allow manufacturers to meet global quality benchmarks and safety standards required for consumer markets.
"At BKT, we are leveraging our decades of expertise in Off-Highway tyres as we expand into on-road vehicle segment," said Sharma. "Our entry into the consumer space is guided by a clear commitment: developing tyres that users can trust for safety, comfort, mileage, and reliability on every journey. The establishment of dedicated VD&T base at NATRAX marks a pivotal step in our journey to deliver world-class tyres across segments."
BKT currently manufactures over 3,600 off-highway tyre products for agricultural, industrial, earthmoving, mining, ATV and gardening sectors, selling across 163 countries. The company recently expanded into rubber track production.
The NATRAX facility features advanced machinery and expert R&D teams for comprehensive product testing. BKT aims to develop passenger vehicle tyres that address consumer requirements for ride comfort, braking efficiency, and terrain adaptability while meeting safety and durability standards.
The expansion aligns with India's automotive sector growth and increasing demand for quality tyres across vehicle segments. BKT's move into consumer markets represents diversification from its established off-highway tyre business into the competitive on-road vehicle segment.