A new survey by Apollo Tyres reveals a surprising trend among European driving enthusiasts: prioritising ride comfort alongside performance when buying replacement tyres. When asked about their preferences, 30 percent of respondents who described themselves as “loving” or “liking” driving cited “ride refinement and low noise” as a key factor. This figure was nearly equal to the 33 percent who prioritised “high-performance grip and traction.”

The survey also highlights a shift in preferences towards comfort even within the enthusiast segment. A larger proportion (46 percent) now favour “a smaller wheel with a larger-profile tyre that gives enhanced comfort” compared to “a larger wheel and a low-profile tyre that looks great on the vehicle” (33 percent).

Traditionally, high-performance tyres have offered lower levels of ride comfort due to their stiffer sidewalls designed for maximum dynamic capabilities. This finding suggests a potential gap in the market for tyres that cater to the evolving needs of performance-oriented drivers.

The survey also identified broader tyre selection criteria among all motorists. Price remains the top priority for 55 percent of respondents, followed by “year-round grip and traction” (35 percent) and “safety - short stopping distances” (49 percent).

Apollo Tyres Offers Potential Solution

In response to this evolving market, Apollo Tyres launched the Vredestein Ultrac Pro earlier this year. This ultra-ultra-high-performance (UUHP) summer tyre aims to bridge the gap between performance and comfort. The Ultrac Pro’s innovative design, featuring a new tread compound and a redesigned sidewall with a larger “flex-zone,” is engineered to deliver both superior handling and a smooth ride.

Independent testing by Applus+ IDIADA, a Spanish engineering company, confirms the Ultrac Pro’s capabilities. The tyre outperformed all but one competitor in “Limit Handling” tests and exceeded comfort-focused UUHP options in overall “Ride Comfort” assessments. This suggests the Vredestein Ultrac Pro may be a compelling option for European drivers seeking a balance between performance and comfort on the road.

Yves Pouliquen, Group Head of Sales and Marketing at Apollo Tyres, comments: “Our survey highlights that performance-car drivers seek greater versatility from their tyres. Many will commute in the same car that they take on track or use for a spirited weekend drive. The Ultrac Pro is the first tyre to meet this broad range of requirements so effectively.”

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TyresNmore, RPG Group’s auto-tech commerce platform, has officially entered the offline retail space with the inauguration of its inaugural physical experience centre in Bengaluru’s Kasavanahalli area. This strategic move extends the brand's commitment to convenience, transparency and trust into a tangible, customer-focused environment. The centre is designed to meet the needs of drivers seeking personalised, efficient and comfortable service, providing a modern retail setting for planned vehicle maintenance.

Customers at the new facility can explore a comprehensive selection of products from leading brands. This includes tyres from major manufacturers such as CEAT, Apollo and Goodyear, batteries from Amaron and Exide, alongside premium alloy wheels from brands like Neo. This curated assortment ensures that every vehicle owner can find the right fit for their specific requirements.

Beyond product sales, the centre delivers advanced automotive services performed by expert technicians. Utilising high-accuracy, state-of-the-art equipment, the outlet offers precision wheel alignment, road force balancing and nitrogen tyre inflation. These technical services aim to enhance driving safety, comfort and overall vehicle longevity, contributing to a superior ownership experience.

Fundamentally, the establishment of this experience centre underscores TyresNmore’s dedication to building a robust, omnichannel service ecosystem. By integrating expert consultation, professional care and precision automotive solutions under one roof, the brand reinforces its promise of reliability and excellence, ensuring customers receive seamless and trustworthy support for all their automotive needs.

Rakesh Tatikonda, CEO, TyresNmore, said, “Our mission has always been to transform automotive aftercare in India by offering seamless, tech-driven, end-to-end mobility solutions delivered with trust, transparency and convenience. Having established ourselves as a leader in doorstep fitments via our online platform, moving into physical retail is a natural evolution to enhance customer experience. This channel diversification allows us to offer premium services and accessories that require a specialised touchpoint for car & bike enthusiasts. Bengaluru has always been a key market for us, and this experience centre allows us to bring our 'customer-first' philosophy into a physical space, delivering precision and transparency at every step.”

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) recently hosted a high-level delegation from the Rubber Development Division of the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities Malaysia at the ANRPC Secretariat. Led by Peter Dennis of Malaysia’s Rubber Development Division, the group met with ANRPC Secretary-General Dr Suttipong Angthong and his team.

The discussions centred on essential industry issues, particularly the vital importance of achieving stable rubber prices for the benefit of producers and the broader market. Conversations further delved into analysing recent market trends and their consequences for global production and trade dynamics.

This engagement highlighted the ongoing necessity for cooperative action to address sectoral challenges, advance sustainability and ensure resilient growth in the face of variable economic conditions.

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Bridgestone Americas has unveiled its latest flagship winter tyre, the Blizzak IcePeak, which will launch nationwide in May 2026. This new tyre is distinguished as the first from Bridgestone to achieve both the rigorous 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake and Ice Grip certifications, marking a significant advancement in winter performance. Designed to cater to a broad range of vehicles – including sedans, minivans, CUVs, SUVs and trucks – the IcePeak will replace the Blizzak WS90 and DM-V2 models. It will be available in 107 sizes, ultimately covering approximately 97 percent of the US light-duty vehicle market, with the majority of sizes ready at launch.

The tyre’s development centres on delivering superior winter traction alongside improved durability and efficiency, leveraging the company’s ENLITEN technology. This integration aims to lower rolling resistance for better fuel economy and extend tyre wear life, offering long-term cost savings for drivers. Internal testing indicates the IcePeak surpasses the wear life of its predecessors while maintaining effective traction. Its compatibility extends to conventional, hybrid and electric vehicles, emphasising its modern engineering.

Key to its performance is a suite of specialised technologies. Bridgestone’s patented MultiCell compound is engineered to enhance stopping power on ice, a claim validated by the official Ice Grip certification. This certification requires performance on ice to exceed a standard reference tyre by at least 18 percent in braking tests. For snow traction, the tyre employs optimised tread blocks and full-depth 3D sipes to create additional biting edges, helping vehicles gain grip and reduce spin.

Building upon the Blizzak lineage, which spans nearly four decades of innovation, the IcePeak introduces refined design elements. Its optimised compound is formulated for added durability across multiple winter seasons without sacrificing grip. A newly unified global tread pattern incorporates several critical features: strategically placed sipes are angled to maximise the gripping edge, protrusions on tread blocks prevent water intrusion on ice and micro-grooves help clear the thin water film that forms on icy surfaces. Together, these features aim to provide drivers with reliable control in wet, snowy and icy conditions, advancing the brand’s reputation for winter safety and performance.

Ian McKenney, Senior Product Manager, Bridgestone Americas, said, “Our Blizzak tyre lineup moves from strength to strength, continually raising the standard for impressive winter weather control. With the application of ENLITEN technology, we are able to expand the tyres’ performance envelope in all directions while also delivering greater durability and reduced rolling resistance, while promoting a focus on enhanced sustainability.”

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Citira, a circular tyre management provider, is introducing a nationwide emergency tyre service in Sweden for commercial fleets, a strategic move to become a comprehensive tyre management partner. Named Citira 24/7 Däckjour, it provides a dedicated contact point for heavy vehicle operators needing immediate assistance, day or night.

This service connects customers to an established, quality-assured network of professional tyre workshops across the country. By utilising pre-assembled replacement wheels ready for immediate deployment, the system ensures rapid on-site repairs to maximise vehicle uptime and minimise operational disruptions.

Clients also benefit from predictable, agreed-upon pricing and consolidated billing, which simplifies administration and enhances budget control. This integrated offering is designed to streamline daily operations, reduce downtime and deliver a more seamless support experience for truck and bus companies.

Göran Bengtsson, Head of Sales at Citira Sweden, said, “This is an important milestone for us to be to able offer our Swedish heavy vehicle fleet customers. This has been frequently requested to us, and we are happy to be able meet the demand, providing a new level of reliability and convenience for our customers.”

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