Wheels India Limited has signed a Technical Assistance Agreement with Tokyo-based Topy Industries to enhance its design, development and manufacturing capabilities in the aluminium alloy wheels segment. As part of the agreement, Topy Industries will provide advanced technical know-how and engineering support, helping Wheels India strengthen its presence in the cast aluminium wheel business.
Topy Industries, a globally recognised wheel manufacturer with a history of more than 100 years, is known for its cutting-edge aluminium wheel technologies. The collaboration is expected to bring significant technical expertise to Wheels India and improve its competitiveness in the rapidly growing alloy wheel market.
Wheels India entered the aluminium alloy wheel segment in FY21 by setting up a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Thervoy Kandigai on the outskirts of Chennai. In the initial phase, the company focused on exporting alloy wheels to the US and European aftermarket. It has now shifted its strategic focus to the domestic market and has begun supplying aluminium wheels to Indian OEMs such as Tata Motors and Stellantis.
The company has also secured new orders from leading global automakers Hyundai and Volkswagen. Supplies under these contracts are expected to begin next year, marking an important milestone in Wheels India’s expansion within the domestic alloy wheel segment.
Commenting on the agreement, Srivats Ram, Managing Director of Wheels India, said that Topy Industries’ deep experience and advanced technologies in aluminium wheel manufacturing would add considerable value to the company’s operations. He expressed confidence that the partnership would help Wheels India win new business opportunities and strengthen its competitive advantage in the cast aluminium wheel space.
Srivats Ram also noted that the agreement could help the company make fresh inroads into Japanese OEMs operating in India, particularly in the alloy wheel segment, which continues to see strong demand growth.
To support rising demand, Wheels India is currently expanding the annual capacity of its alloy wheel plant at Thervoy Kandigai from 5 lakh wheels per annum to 7 lakh wheels per annum. This expansion is expected to be completed by the end of the next quarter.
Buoyed by the positive outlook for aluminium wheels, the company is planning a further capacity expansion to 10 lakh wheels per annum in the next phase. This expansion is targeted for completion by the end of FY27, strengthening Wheels India’s long-term growth prospects in the segment.
Wheels India already has an existing joint venture with Topy Industries in the steel wheels business through WIL Car Wheels Limited, in which it holds a 74% equity stake. This joint venture focuses on supplying steel wheels to Japanese OEMs in India and has helped the company build strong relationships with global automobile manufacturers.
