MRF Ltd, a leading tyre manufacturer, has strengthened its position in the electric vehicle (EV) tyre market while continuing its exclusive role as a supplier to India’s defence sector. The company is also exploring new opportunities in international markets, aiming to boost its global presence.
At the Bharat Mobility Expo, Arun Mammen, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of MRF, highlighted the company’s growing role in the EV sector. “We are now a key supplier of tyres for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and vehicles, including models like the Maruti eVitara,” he said.
MRF supplies tyres to major EV manufacturers, including Tata Nexon, Mahindra EVs, Honda Activa Electric, Bajaj Chetak, and HeroMoto Corp’s Vida. The company also caters to newer electric two-wheeler brands like Ather, Ultraviolette, and Revolt, as well as electric bus manufacturers such as JBM and Olectra, and three-wheeler producers like Piaggio.
Mammen explained that MRF’s EV tyres are designed with features like low rolling resistance to improve battery efficiency and extend vehicle range. Some tyres also include specialized foam to reduce noise, a critical feature for EVs.
As EV adoption grows, so does the demand for replacement tyres. EV tyres typically last between 15,000 and 20,000 kilometers, and early models are now reaching their replacement cycles. “For instance, older Mahindra EVs and the Bajaj Chetak are starting to need new tyres,” said Rajat K Nangia, Vice President of Sales at MRF.
In addition to its EV focus, MRF remains a key supplier to India’s defence sector. The company provides tyres for Sukhoi jets, Tejas fighter planes, Apache helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and other military aircraft. “While this segment is a small part of our revenue, it is a prestigious contribution to national defence and the ‘Make in India’ initiative,” Mammen noted.
MRF is also expanding its defence exports, supplying aircraft tyres through Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and exploring further international opportunities. Overall, the company’s tyre exports have grown by 20–25 percent over the past two quarters, now accounting for 10–12 percent of total business. MRF aims to increase this share to 15 percent. “We export to over 70 countries, including Southeast Asia, South America, Africa, and the Middle East, and are continuously entering new markets,” Mammen added.
To meet rising demand, MRF has invested ₹2,100 crore in capital expenditures last fiscal year and an additional ₹700 crore in the first half of the current fiscal. The company operates 10 manufacturing facilities across India, strategically located to optimize production and meet market needs.
