Michelin India To Route Imported PC Tyre Stock Through Priority Partners
- By Sharad Matade
- January 22, 2021
Import restrictions have limited stocks of Michelin’s passenger car tyres. The company passenger car tyres are currently available at its priority partners for the time being.
Refuting the news that Michelin passenger car tyres will be no longer available in India due to import restrictions, the company said, “The stories are not correct and misinterpreted one of our internal notes to the certain category of retailers in the country.”
In its communications with its Kay Dealer (KD) and Michelin Retailers (MR) channel partners, Michelin India had said, “The recent import restrictions on tyres in India has impacted our passenger car business by constraining supplies and restricting our sales. Due to this uncontrollable situation of license limiting our supplies, we regret to inform you that we will not be able to supply passenger car tyres to you until a further update from the government.”
The clarification, which Tyre Trends has received, said the note was for MR and KD retailers and the decision has been taken owing to the ongoing import restrictions for tyres.
Clarifying on that Michelin said, “For Michelin India, Government of India has recently issued a limited import license, which will also be utilised for importing passenger car tyres to address the very high demand for our tyres in a restricted manner for the time being.”
“Consequently, to streamline our supply chain in the current situation, Michelin India has decided to prioritise selling of these limited stocks only through its priority partners currently, who has equally invested in expanding our distribution footprint in the country.”
For the time being, passenger car tyres are available only at Michelin’s priority partners- TYREPLUS, Michelin Tyres and Services, and Michelin Tyres and Car Service.
To protect the domestic manufacturers, the government banned the imports of those tyre sizes which are not manufactured locally.
Michelin assured its channel partners that it would restart supplying passenger car tyres as soon as there is an improvement in the current situation and said, “We are confident that we will bounce back higher. We continue to work with the Government of India to address this issue and are hopeful of an early resolution.”
The company produces truck and bus tyres in its Chennai plant, while TVS Srichakra produces its two-wheeler tyres in its Madurai plant. The company also has an innovation hub in Pune. (MT)
Maruti Suzuki India Expands Service Network To 5,500, To Add 500 More By March 2026
- By MT Bureau
- July 21, 2025
Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has further strengthened its aftersales network with the inauguration of its 5,500th service touchpoint in Udaipur, Rajasthan.
Interestingly, in FY2025, the company serviced over 27 million vehicles, and with the new facility, it now has around 40,000 service bays across the country. Furthermore, Maruti Suzuki India aims to add around 500 more service touchpoints in FY2026.
Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “One of the key factors most customers consider when purchasing a new car is the availability of a proximate and convenient service workshop, one that offers genuine and reliable service at a reasonable price, giving them total peace of mind. To meet this need, we have been able to establish 5,500 service touchpoints across 2,764 cities, with the help of our dealer partners. In FY 2024-25, we added 460 new service touchpoints, which is more than one every single day. We plan to continue these efforts and aim to add around 500 new service touchpoints during this financial year, of which we have already set up 91 touchpoints.”
Steelbird SXE Helmet With TPE Energy Absorber Tech Launched At INR 3,599
- By MT Bureau
- July 21, 2025
Steelbird Helmets, one of the largest two-wheeler helmet manufacturers, has launched the SXE helmet at INR 3,599.
The SXE, the company claims, is India’s first motorcycle helmet equipped with advanced impact protection technology featuring a tough, high-impact ABS shell reinforced with advanced fibre composites, coupled with a Black EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) liner and a shock-absorbing TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) layer.
This advanced multi-layered liner system the company shared efficiently controls both linear and rotational forces during crashes, offering superior protection and enhanced rider safety.
It is said to reduce rotational impact forces by around 20 percent as the SXE helmet is said to be specially designed for enhanced impact management and to ensure efficient energy distribution during high-speed collisions, significantly reducing peak head acceleration and minimising the risk of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
The SXE is BIS IS 4151:2015 and DOT FMVSS 218 (Department of Transportation, USA) certified .
Steelbird Helmets stated that it is engineered for peak performance, safety and style, featuring a sleek aerodynamic shell that minimises wind resistance, reduces rider fatigue and ensures a comfortable experience during high-speed and extended journeys. Precision airflow ventilation with multiple intake and exhaust vents delivers optimal climate control, while sound insulation reduces wind and road noise for enhanced comfort. Inside, its breathable, hypoallergenic fabric padding and thermoformed structure offer hygienic, lasting comfort, with mesh zones managing sweat and heat. Reflective fabric inserts, including a prominent neck strip, improve night-time visibility and a micrometric buckle provides quick, secure fastening.
Adding to its versatility, the SXE boasts a dual visor setup with a scratch-resistant clear visor and an additional smoke visor for changing light conditions, alongside an inner sun shield for instant protection from glare. The Pinlock-ready visor guarantees clear, fog-free vision in all environments. A signature Eco-dome technology logo elevates the helmet’s premium look. The helmet is available in over 13 colour choices in painted and dynamic decal versions, and sizes from S (560) to XL (620).
Audi Dash Cam Launched At INR 68,000 In India
- By MT Bureau
- July 11, 2025
German luxury car maker Audi has introduced the Audi Dash Cam in India at INR 68,000, which is compatible with all existing and new Audi models.
The Audi Dash Cam offers crystal-clear QHD resolution, smart battery protection and seamless control using an advanced mobile app.
The company said that the dash cam addresses critical automotive security challenges with advanced parking mode functionality that records when motion or impact is detected while the vehicle is stationary.
This ensures Audi vehicle owners have necessary evidence in case of hit-and-run incidents or vandalism cases.
Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head of Audi India, said, “The launch of Audi Dash Cam is a reflection of our continued commitment to delivering advanced technology solutions that enhance the ownership experience for our customers. This system provides round-the-clock protection, offering complete peace of mind to Audi customers whether they are driving or parked. With comprehensive recording capabilities and smart connectivity features, the UTR sets new standards in automotive security technology.”
The Audi Dash Cam can be purchased at the time of new vehicle delivery and for existing Audi vehicle owners it can be retrofitted at any Audi dealership in the country.
Varroc Launches VRLA Battery For Two-Wheelers In The Aftermarket Segment
- By MT Bureau
- July 10, 2025
Pune-headquartered tier 1 supplier Varroc has launched two-wheeler VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid) batteries for the aftermarket segment.
This strategic move marks the launch of the company’s Aftermarket division, with the first product aimed at meeting the growing demand for high-performance, reliable batteries in the two-wheeler space.
The VRLA battery technology is claimed to be completely maintenance-free and offers long-lasting performance, reliability and ease of use for everyday riders. It is being made available from 2.5AH to 9AH that is compatible with all major two-wheeler OEMs.
Varroc is also leveraging its retail network of around 730 distributors and 50,000 retailers to make available its range of batteries, which are covered by a 48-month pro-rata warranty.
The tier 1 supplier is betting on the robust automotive aftermarket battery segment in India.
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