Pirelli & BKT Partner to Produce 800,000 Premium Car Tyres in India by 2030

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“India is taking an ever more central role in the evolution of the global automotive industry, thanks to the market’s growth, development of mobility and progressive strengthening of the Country’s industrial and technological competencies. The agreement with BKT, a first-class industrial partner with solid roots in India and a significant international presence, represents for Pirelli a strategic choice which will allow us to strengthen our position in a market among those with the greatest growth potential and to accompany its evolution, drawing on our competencies, innovation and positioning in the segments with the greatest value.” - Marco Tronchetti Provera, Executive Chairman - Pirelli

Oct 2026 : Pirelli and Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) have struck an agreement to capture India’s rapidly expanding car tyre market. Under the multi-phase partnership announced in Milan and Mumbai, BKT will produce up to 800,000 Pirelli-branded tyres by 2030 at one of its newly built, high-tech manufacturing plants. The initial off-take agreement paves the way for a potential 50-50 joint venture, which includes plans to construct a dedicated production facility for High Value tyres under both the Pirelli and BKT brands for India and international markets.

India's automotive sector is undergoing a massive shift, with car registrations projected to grow by 5% to 7% annually through 2030 and the premium tyre segment expected to expand nearly fivefold. The deal allows Pirelli - which previously held only a commercial footprint in the country - to establish localized production, while giving BKT a powerful springboard to expand into the passenger car segment.

Marco Tronchetti Provera, Executive Chairman of Pirelli, said: “India is taking an ever more central role in the evolution of the global automotive industry, thanks to the market’s growth, development of mobility and progressive strengthening of the Country’s industrial and technological competencies. The agreement with BKT, a first-class industrial partner with solid roots in India and a significant international presence, represents for Pirelli a strategic choice which will allow us to strengthen our position in a market among those with the greatest growth potential and to accompany its evolution, drawing on our competencies, innovation and positioning in the segments with the greatest value.”

Arvind Poddar, Chairman and Managing Director of BKT, said: “This partnership brings together complementary strengths to capture the opportunities of a growing market while creating value for both companies”.

Andrea Casaluci, CEO of Pirelli, added: “We are confident that the collaboration between BKT, with its industrial excellence and knowledge of the market, and Pirelli, bringing innovative technologies and high-end positioning, will not only open new opportunities for both groups but will also contribute to the growing premiumization of the Indian tyre market. The outlook for the national automotive market, and especially for the partnership's premium products is very promising. And the time is right to catch that wave”.

Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director of BKT, commented: “When a globally established brand such as Pirelli chooses BKT, it is a recognition of the manufacturing strength, quality and expertise we have built over decades. We are proud to bring our industrial scale to this partnership and to serve customers not only in India but also across our international markets. Pirelli’s technological leadership and BKT’s industrial capabilities provide together a strong foundation for lasting values.”

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