Indian tyre maker Ceat Ltd. aims to build up a stronger presence in the European passenger car and commercial vehicle tyre markets in the coming years. As the company explained during Reifen 2014, its plan is to work together with local distribution partners for its Ceat and Alutra brands – using a separate partner for each – in a number of European national markets. Initial steps have already been taken and Altura-brand passenger car and truck tyres will thus be launched in Europe next year. From the products on Ceat’s Reifen show stand, it appears that both company brands generally utilise identical patterns.
In order to support partners in Europe and around the world, Ceat will soon open sales offices in various markets, including an office in Brussels for the European market before the end of next year. This office will look after functions such as after sales service and marketing, Arvind Sharma told Tyres & Accessories. The general manager of specialties added that Ceat’s projected European growth will be aided by a full product portfolio, including agricultural tyres.
Growth will be further assisted by a new plant that Ceat Ltd. is currently building in India. The fourth largest Indian tyre maker (after Apollo Tyres, MRF and JK Tyres & Industries) is investing approximately Rs 4.5 billion (£44 million) in the project.
Since regaining global rights to the Ceat brand name at the end of 2011, a name it previously shared with Pirelli, Ceat has desired to substantially expand its product portfolio. Upcoming lines it intends to manufacture include port and flotation tyres plus winter passenger car tyres. In the near future the company will also become the first Indian tyre maker capable of producing motorcycle radials, Sharma added.