Thursday, 14 November 2013 00:00
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The product portfolio of CEAT Kelani Holdings, the company that supplies half of Sri Lanka’s pneumatic tyre requirements, has expanded with the addition of 10 new tyres in four categories.
Unveiled at an exclusive gathering of key dealers last week were two new sizes for SUVs, two new patterns under the ‘Milaze’range of radial tyres for passenger cars, five new tyres for motorcycles and a new off the-road tyre.
“The CEAT ‘World of Tyres’ continues to expand rapidly with regular additions to the range we offer in different categories,” CEAT Kelani Managing Director Raman Rajagopalan said. “This is a reflection of our understanding of the needs of the different segments in the market, and our commitment to cater to them. The tyres that come out of our factory are designed and developed for Sri Lankan roads as we know our roads best.”
He said performance, price and range are three of the pillars of the success of the CEAT brand in Sri Lanka. “Each of these aspects is constantly under scrutiny to ensure that we offer the best value proposition in the market,” Rajagopalan said.
All-Terrain
He said that in order to cater to the more adventurous SUV users, CEAT has launched two All-Terrain radial tyres in the size of 215/75 R 15 for the Toyota Hiace KDH and Toyota and Nissan Crew Cabs and in the 235/75 R 15 size used by the Mahindra Bolero, Hyundai Terracan and Tata Safari Dicor SUVs. The ‘Czar’ branded All-Terrain tyres have special features that deliver better grip and road holding and higher fuel efficiency.
The tread pattern on these tyres works on all road conditions Rajagopalan said, describing the All-Terrain tyre as “off road tyres with highway manners”. They are made of a special compound for traction on wet road conditions.
Passenger car
Vice President Sales and Marketing Ravi Dadlani said that the latest passenger car radials added to the company’s already extensive range in the category are the 170/70 R 13 and 175/70 R 14 sizes in the ‘CEAT Milaze’ tread pattern. These tyres fit cars such as the Toyota Starlet, Hyundai Accent, Nissan Sunny, Toyota Soluna, Suzuki Swift and Suzuki Liana.
In the motorcycle category, he said the company’s latest additions are tubeless tyres in three popular sizes made with the latest tread pattern for good grip and handling in wet conditions. These sizes are made for Bajaj Discover 125, Bajaj Pulsar, Hero Passion pro, TVS Victor, Calibre 115, and Yamaha YBR 125.
Two all-new tyres have also been launched in the size of 90/90-17 (tubeless) for TVS Apache RTR 180, TVS Flame SR 125, TVS Apache RTR 160, and Bajaj Avenger 220 and in the size of 3.50-10 for Scooty Pep, Hero Pleasure and Honda Diomotorcycles.
Industrial segment
The industrial segment is also covered with the first locally manufactured 12.5/80-18 off road tyre for the front wheels of J.C. Bamford (JCB) loaders and excavators. The size is molded on the 22 Lug international patterns. More sizes to cater to this category are in the pipeline, the company told dealers.
CEAT Kelani Holdings is a dominant player in the domestic tyre market with market shares of 57% in the Truck/Light Truck category, 32% in radials, 46% in 3-Wheeler, 19% in motorcycle and 73% in the agricultural segments.
In the second quarter of the current financial year, the company’s sales in the domestic market crossed 2,900 tons, accounting for half of Sri Lanka’s tyre requirements for the period.
A global tyre brand present in 110 countries and now headquartered in India, CEAT is an acronym that stands for Cavi Electrici Affini Torino, or Electrical Cables & Allied Products of Turin, with origins that date back to 1924 in Italy.
