For decades, Balkrishna Industries Limited (BKT) has operated at the heart of industries where terrain defines performance-powering tractors across farmlands, supporting mining operations, and enabling heavy machinery in some of the toughest off-road conditions. Now, the company is shifting gears toward a very different landscape-India’s fast-moving highways. In a significant strategic move, BKT has entered the country’s consumer tyre market with the launch of its On-Highway tyre portfolio, marking the beginning of a new phase in its growth journey. Announced in Mumbai on February 24, 2026, the move represents a significant expansion for BKT beyond its well-established leadership in the Off-Highway Tyre (OHT) segment. The company introduced a range of tyres designed specifically for two-wheelers and Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicles (M&HCV), highlighting its long-term commitment to India’s rapidly expanding mobility and replacement tyre markets. With this launch, BKT aims to bring its decades of engineering expertise, manufacturing discipline and global experience to India’s on-road transportation ecosystem-one that includes millions of daily commuters, commercial fleets and logistics operators. Speaking at the launch event, Arvind Poddar, Chairman and Managing Director of BKT, emphasised that the move aligns with the company’s broader vision of supporting India’s evolving mobility landscape. According to Poddar, the company aims to offer tyres that deliver safety, reliability and value while building long-term partnerships with consumers, distributors and dealers under the philosophy of”BKT – Growing Together.”
Expanding Business
Alongside the launch of its on-highway products, BKT also introduced a new brand architecture designed to reflect the company’s evolving business structure and expanding capabilities. Under the unified corporate identity “BT-Growing Together,” the company unveiled two distinct brand pillars:
• BKT Tyres – representing the company’s complete tyre portfolio, covering both off-highway and on-highway segments.
• BKT Carbon – representing its carbon black and industrial materials business.
This dual-brand structure highlights BKT’s transition from being solely a tyre manufacturer to becoming a more integrated mobility and materials enterprise. The move is intended to provide greater clarity across its business verticals while reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and long-term growth. The announcement was made in the presence of BKT’s senior leadership team, including Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director; Satish Sharma,Senior President and Director – Business Development and Strategy; Lucia Salmaso, Managing Director of BKT Europe; and Mahesh Koppad, Chief Marketing Officer – India, BKT Tyres.
Launching the Consumer Brand Journey
BKT’s entry into the consumer tyre segment is not just about products-it also represents the beginning of a new brand journey. To mark this transition, the company simultaneously launched a nationwide brand campaign titled “Elevate Your Drive.” The campaign features actor Ranveer Singh as the brand ambassador and aims to establish a stronger emotional connection with everyday riders and drivers across India. The campaign reflects BKT’s ambition to transform from a predominantly B2B industrial brand into a consumer-facing mobility brand that resonates with individual vehicle owners. Through this initiative, the company hopes to build stronger brand recall in the highly competitive consumer tyre market while highlighting its values of performance, reliability and innovation.
Built To Carry More
Beyond the two-wheeler segment, BKT is also preparing to strengthen its presence in the commercial transportation sector. The company plans to launch its Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle Radial (MHCVR) tyre range in Q1 of FY2026-27, covering the period from April to June 2026.
The new range will include two products:
• BKT m.Loadxpert (11.00R20)
• BKT Milexpert RG (295/90R20)
These tyres have been developed for high-demand commercial applications such as cement transportation, construction logistics and regional cargo movement-segments where durability and load-carrying capability are crucial. According to BKT, the tyres have been engineered to deliver high stability, superior casing strength and consistent performance, which are key requirements for fleet operators and logistics companies. The manufacturing process involves 138 in-process quality checks along with more than 20 design verification tests, ensuring strict adherence to performance standards. Testing is carried out in NABL-accredited laboratories, providing an additional layer of quality assurance. The tyres also meet all BIS standards and are designed with retreadability in mind-a critical factor in the commercial vehicle segment where cost efficiency and tyre life cycle management are key considerations.
Powering Everyday Mobility
At the centre of BKT’s consumer market entry is its newly launched two-wheeler tyre range, designed to address the needs of India’s vast motorcycle and scooter population. The company introduced two product lines: BKT ZENOVA and BKT THYROS.
The BKT ZENOVA range has been designed primarily for city commuting. Focused on urban riders who rely on two-wheelers for daily transportation, the tyre emphasises ride comfort, smooth handling and dependable grip on city roads. The design aims to deliver a balanced riding experience in congested urban environments where stability and control are critical.
In contrast, the BKT THYROS tyre has been engineered for riders who frequently encounter mixed road conditions. Designed for both on-road and light off-road use, the tyre aims to provide improved traction and control across varying surfaces whether navigating uneven rural roads or occasional off-road terrain.
Both product lines are manufactured in India and developed with core consumer priorities in mind, including comfort, grip, safety and mileage. The tyres are intended to cover a wide spectrum of Indian riding conditions across both motorcycle and scooter segments. To ensure reliability and performance, the tyres are manufactured under IATF 16949-certified processes, one of the highest global quality standards for automotive manufacturing. The products also undergo rigorous validation processes, including design verification tests, accelerated durability trials and vehicle-level performance testing at NATRAX, the government-run automotive testing facility located in Indore. These tests evaluate parameters such as wet and dry braking, ride quality, handling and durability. In addition, the tyres carry mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification, confirming compliance with national safety and quality.
Investment and Vision 2030
BKT’s entry into the consumer tyre market is part of a broader long-term strategy outlined under its Vision 2030 roadmap. The company has committed an investment of approximately 73,500 crore (around USD 400 million) to strengthen its presence in India’s mobility ecosystem. This investment will support multiple initiatives, including manufacturing capacity expansion, research and development enhancements, and vertical integration through BKT Carbon. The funds will also be used to expand the company’s nationwide distribution network, enabling wider market reach and stronger partnerships with dealers and distributors. Under Vision 2030, BKT aims to achieve total revenue of approximately 723,000 crore by FY2030, representing more than 2.2 times growth : compared to FY2025 levels.
The projected revenue mix is expected to include:
. 70% from off-Highway tyre
. 10% from third-party carbon black sales
. 20% from On-Highway tyre categories
Driving Towards a Broader Mobility Future
BKT’s entry into India’s consumer tyre market marks a defining moment in the company’s growth story. Having established itself as a global leader in off-highway tyres, the company is now positioning itself to play a much larger role in the country’s broader mobility ecosystem. As India’s automotive sector continues to expanddriven by growing urbanisation, increasing logistics demand and rising personal mobility-BKT’s move into the on-highway segment reflects both a strategic opportunity and a long-term vision. By combining its engineering expertise with a strong manufacturing foundation and a growing consumer brand presence, BKT is aiming to transition from a specialist off-road tyre manufacturer into a diversified mobility solutions provider. And with its tyres now set to roll not only through farms and mines but also across India’s highways and city streets, BKT’s journey into the next phase of growth has clearly begun.
