The Creation of the 245/90R16 Tire Size for Commercial Vehicles 8.5T -12T in the 16-Inch Tube-Type Category – A Global First

This project introduced a brand-new tire size—245/90R16—for the first time globally in the 16-inch tube-type category, designed specifically for commercial vehicles with Vehicles 8.5T -12T gross vehicle weight (GVW). The main goal was to create a compact vehicle that can carry more payload, reduce overall weight, and improve fuel efficiency with use of rear single tyre instead of twin tyre in 8.5T. This helps customers lower their operating costs and improve vehicle performance, especially on narrow roads. The new tire supports high load capacities: up to 2300 kg for single tire use and 2180 kg for dual tire fitment. It enables a new type of vehicle to be developed—an 8.5-ton GVW vehicle with rear single tires—offering better payload capacity without increasing the size of the vehicle. By using this new tire, the kerb weight of the vehicle is reduced, which increases the payload and helps improve fuel economy. It also helps lower the cost of the vehicle by allowing the use of lighter and smaller components like axles, hubs, and wheel rims. This tire has been tested and approved as per Indian Standards (IS) and successfully added to the IS tire regulations. The project involved full vehicle-level testing, design reviews (DFMEA), and validation planning (DVP) to ensure safety, durability, and performance. This innovation supports a new segment of efficient, cost-effective, and compact commercial vehicles, offering real value to customers and setting a new industry benchmark.