The top 10 tyre brands in India 2026 had one of their best years on record. A GST cut on tyres, from 28% to 18%, lifted domestic demand in FY26, while low raw material costs for most of the year helped margins. MRF crossed ₹30,000 crore in revenue for the first time, with sales of ₹31,149 crore and profit up about 30% to ₹2,426 crore. CEAT had its best year ever.
The most profitable tyre company, though, isn’t the biggest. Balkrishna Industries (BKT), which mainly makes farm, mining and construction tyres for export, earned a net margin of about 11.5% in FY26. That’s well ahead of MRF’s 7.8%. Here’s how the leading tyre brands in India compare.
What Drove the Tyre Boom in FY26
- The GST cut: tyres moved from the 28% to the 18% GST slab, which boosted demand.
- Replacement demand: replacement tyres make up about half of annual industry sales, according to Crisil.
- Premium tyres: brands sold more high-margin tyres for cars and SUVs.
- Truck and bus radials: Apollo’s truck-bus radial sales grew more than 20% in Q4 FY26.
- A late headwind: the West Asia crisis raised raw material costs towards the end of the year, and MRF responded with price increases.
1. MRF
MRF is India’s largest tyre maker and one of the world’s top 20. FY26 revenue rose 11% to ₹31,149 crore, helped by both replacement and new-vehicle demand, and it paid a total dividend of ₹235 per share. It has no net debt and is expanding its factories.
- Best for: trusted tyres for cars, bikes, trucks and SUVs
2. Apollo Tyres
Apollo earned ₹28,471 crore in FY26, up 9%. India made up 63% of its revenue and Europe 30%, where it also owns the Vredestein brand. Its Indian operations posted their highest-ever quarterly revenue in Q4 FY26.
- Best for: car and SUV tyres, and truck-bus radials
3. JK Tyre
JK Tyre’s FY26 was a profitability story, with consolidated revenue of ₹16,384 crore and a profit of ₹774 crore. It has invested heavily in radial tyre capacity and premium products.
- Best for: truck and bus radials and passenger car tyres
4. CEAT
CEAT had its best year ever in FY26, with revenue of ₹15,678 crore. It has grown market share through premium tyres, and its sales are split roughly equally between commercial and passenger vehicle tyres.
- Best for: two-wheeler and premium car tyres
5. Balkrishna Industries (BKT)
BKT specialises in off-highway tyres for tractors, mining and construction vehicles, and it exports most of its production. It’s India’s most profitable tyre company by margin, though its export focus hurt it in FY26.
- Best for: agricultural and off-road tyres
Other Key Brands
6. TVS Eurogrip
TVS Eurogrip, part of the TVS group, is known for two-wheeler and three-wheeler tyres sold widely through the replacement market.
- Best for: scooter and motorcycle tyres
7. Bridgestone
Bridgestone is the Japanese tyre giant, making tyres in India for cars and SUVs and supplying many carmakers.
- Best for: premium car tyres
8. Michelin
Michelin, the French brand, is known for long-lasting premium car and SUV tyres.
- Best for: comfort and tread life
9. Goodyear
Goodyear is an American brand that sells car and farm tyres in India.
- Best for: dependable car and tractor tyres
10. Yokohama
Yokohama, the Japanese brand, is known for performance and SUV tyres.
- Best for: performance and SUV tyres
Tyre Buying Tips
- Match the size and load rating printed on your current tyre or in the vehicle manual.
- Check the manufacturing date: the four-digit DOT code shows the week and year. Avoid tyres more than a year or two old.
- Replace tyres in pairs on the same axle for even grip.
- Check pressure monthly, since under-inflation wears tyres out and wastes fuel.
- Replace worn tyres: shallow tread reduces grip, especially in the monsoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Which is the No. 1 tyre company in India?
MRF is India’s largest tyre maker, with FY26 revenue of ₹31,149 crore and a net profit of ₹2,426 crore. Apollo Tyres is second, with ₹28,471 crore.
Q2. Which tyre company is the most profitable?
Balkrishna Industries (BKT), which makes off-highway tyres mainly for export, earned about an 11.5% net margin in FY26, ahead of MRF’s roughly 7.8%.
Q3. Did tyres get cheaper after the GST cut?
GST on tyres fell from 28% to 18%, which helped boost domestic demand in FY26. Later in the year, though, the West Asia crisis raised raw material costs, and some makers increased prices.
Q4. Which tyre brand is best for cars?
MRF, Apollo, CEAT and JK Tyre are popular Indian choices. Michelin and Bridgestone are popular premium international options.
