CEAT launches five new tyres for motorcycles

Thursday, 16 May 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

CEAT Kelani Holdings has added five new motorcycle tyres to its portfolio, under the phased execution of the Company’s investments to double its motorcycle tyre manufacturing capacity in Sri Lanka.

The new tyres fit rim sizes 17 and 18 and consist of the 3.00-17 Milaze, 3.00-18 Milaze Super, 2.75-18 Gripp (Front), 80/100-17 Zoom XL, and 80/100-18 Secura Zoom variants designed and built for local conditions.

The unique tread patterns of these tyres are designed for safety, comfort and long term reliability, the Company said. They fit popular motorcycle models such as Bajaj CT 100, TVS Metro, Honda CB Shine, Bajaj Pulsar 150 and Bajaj Discovery 125.

With the launch of these tyres, CEAT Kelani’s portfolio in the motorcycle segment alone increases to 36 different types of tyres that cater to 96% of the motorcycles in the local market, including high-performance superbikes. The brand’s share of the motorcycle tyre market now exceeds 30%.

The new tyres are manufactured at a state-of-the-art plant commissioned at the company’s Kelaniya complex in 2015. A portion of the Rs 3 billion in new investments announced by CEAT Kelani Holdings last year was earmarked to upgrade manufacturing technology for the motorcycle tyre segment while doubling production capacity.

CEAT’s motorcycle tyre plant was launched with an initial capacity of 162,000 tyres a year and now manufactures approximately 492,000 tyres a year, many with all-new tread patterns that deliver improved performance in local conditions. Further capacity increases are planned with the roll-out of the expansion plan, the Company said.

CEAT Kelani’s manufacturing operations in Sri Lanka encompass the radial, commercial, motorcycle, three-wheeler and agricultural vehicle segments. The brand accounts for market shares of 33% in the radial segment, 52% in the Truck/Light Truck tyre category, 50% in the Three-Wheeler tyre segment, 30.5% in the motorcycle tyre segment and 72% in the agricultural vehicle tyre category. The company exports about a third of its production to 16 countries in South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Far East.