The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers? Association (ATMA) demanded for an early imposition of anti-dumping duty on import of truck and bus radial (TBR) tyres from China, as the imports have posted a 9 per cent growth in FY17.

ATMA revealed that TBR imports has been spiralling in the last few years and the figure has touched a high of 1.2 lakh units per month in FY17 from 40,000 units in FY14.

Imported tyres account for 40 per cent of the replacement demand for TBR in India is a blow to the domestic industry which has invested heavily in TBR manufacturing.

TBR has emerged as the growth driver for the industry. Unfortunately, indiscriminate import has queered the pitch for the domestic tyre sector.

With expansion in capacity for TBR, the capacity utilisation levels have come down to 60-65 per cent from 80-85 per cent three years ago, said Satish Sharma, Chairman of ATMA.

China constitutes more than 90 per cent of TBR import and their share in the import pie has risen from 40 per cent in FY14 to 92 per cent in FY17.