← Critical Product/Equipment/Process: Industrials, Auto & Infrastructure (all topics)
TBR / PCR / OHT tyre segments
What it is
The three main product categories. Truck and Bus Radial serves commercial fleets; Passenger Car Radial serves cars and utility vehicles; Off-Highway Tyres cover agriculture, construction and mining equipment
They differ fundamentally in economics - OHT is low-volume, high-value and export-oriented, TBR is the largest domestic profit pool, and PCR is the most competitive
Impact on industries
- OHT carries the best margins and faces limited Chinese competition on approval barriers; TBR replacement is the deepest domestic profit pool
- TBR is also the most exposed to imports - Chinese TBR reached roughly 40% of Indian replacement demand at its peak, directly attacking the segment carrying the industry
- PCR competes against global brands and rising premiumisation requirements, so share must be defended on technology and brand rather than price
- Category mix is the main lever on blended margin, which is why capacity decisions between TBR, PCR and OHT matter more than aggregate tonnage