French tyre maker Michelin has extended its partnership with the International Motor Sports Association for several years, maintaining its position as exclusive tyre supplier for IMSA’s three main racing championships in North America.

The deal covers the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge, the companies said, without disclosing financial terms or the specific duration of the agreement.

Michelin, which has supplied tyres to the IMSA series for years, said endurance racing serves as a critical testing ground for advanced materials and technologies that eventually transfer to consumer products.

“Michelin has been innovating for more than 130 years, and competition has always been at the heart of that journey,” said Alexis Garcin, executive vice president of Michelin. “From the first removable bicycle tyre to the Pilot Sport Endurance range, many of our breakthroughs have consistently come from the racetrack. IMSA gives us a competitive ecosystem to validate new technologies under real pressure, and that’s exactly where Michelin thrives.”

The Clermont-Ferrand-based company said it is applying advanced tread compounds, simulation tools and data analytics developed through racing to its broader product portfolio, linking track performance with commercial tyre development.

John Doonan, IMSA president, said: “Michelin has been a cornerstone of IMSA’s success. Their technical expertise and commitment to innovation have elevated the level of competition across our series. We’re proud to continue this journey together.”

The partnership extension comes as IMSA pursues technological advances, including hybrid powertrains and electrification in sports car racing. Michelin said it would remain a technical partner in developing solutions for these evolving requirements.

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Mercedes-Benz has once again selected Continental's advanced EcoContact 6 Q tyre as original equipment for its GLE and GLS luxury SUV models, underscoring a continued partnership built on technical expertise.

This specific tyre was meticulously engineered to deliver a superior and refined driving experience, prioritising both exceptional energy efficiency and remarkably quiet operation. A key to its performance is a specially formulated rubber compound that minimises energy absorption, thereby significantly reducing rolling resistance. This design feature directly contributes to improved fuel efficiency and is suitable for a diverse range of vehicle models, irrespective of their specific drive type. Continental's engineers also dedicated considerable effort to acoustics, optimising the tyre's tread pattern to actively minimise rolling noise for a more comfortable cabin environment.

Beyond these core attributes, the EcoContact 6 Q is built for longevity and safety, offering high mileage alongside reliable and consistent grip on both wet and dry road surfaces. It also provides drivers with confidence through its short braking distances and excellent cornering stability, which remains assured even when traveling at higher speeds. This combination of features makes it a comprehensive and high-performing original equipment choice for Mercedes-Benz's prestigious SUVs.

This tyre line is available in the following sizes:

EcoContact 6 Q MO, 275/50 R 20 113W XL
EcoContact 6 Q MO, 275/45 R21 107Y
EcoContact 6 Q MO, 315/40 R21 111Y
EcoContact 6 Q MO, 285/40 R22 106Y
EcoContact 6 Q MO, 325/35 R22 110Y
EcoContact 6 Q MO, 285/45 R22 114Y
EcoContact 6 Q MO, 325/40 R22 114Y
EcoContact 6 Q MO, 285/40 R23 107Y
EcoContact 6 Q MO, 325/35 R23 111Y

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India’s passenger vehicle industry must embrace a technology-neutral fuel strategy whilst accelerating safety standards and building resilient supply chains, senior executives and policymakers concluded at a major industry gathering in Pune 2^nd September 2025, as the country grapples with balancing affordability against rapid technological transformation.

The third edition of the Passenger Vehicle Forum, held at Hyatt Regency in Viman Nagar, brought together more than 300 senior industry leaders, policymakers, original equipment manufacturers, technology innovators and supply chain experts for discussions spanning electrification, software-defined vehicles, artificial intelligence integration and evolving consumer behaviour in the world’s third-largest automotive market.

Fuel Transition Demands Flexibility

Industry leaders stressed that India’s path to cleaner mobility cannot rely solely on battery electric vehicles, calling instead for a diversified approach incorporating hybrids, compressed natural gas, biofuels and hydrogen technologies.

“India’s path to cleaner mobility must be technology-neutral—balancing EVs with hybrids, CNG, biofuels, and hydrogen—while fostering indigenous R&D, supportive policies, and collaborative efforts to ensure energy security and sustainability,” panellists from NIBE, the International Council on Clean Transportation, IIT Kanpur, Hydrovert Energy and the Automotive Research Association of India said during discussions on the future fuel mix.

The forum opened with a research presentation by Hemal N Thakkar, senior practice leader and director at Crisil, outlining the passenger vehicle industry's present scenario and future roadmap. Thakkar subsequently moderated a panel featuring Shashank Srivastava of Maruti Suzuki India, Amar Jatin Sheth from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations, automotive industry veteran Arun Kumar Malhotra, Puneet Anand of Hyundai Motor India, and Prashant Shitoot from Auto Yoga Car Wellness Centre.

“Sustainability, safety, technology adoption and affordability were identified as the four pillars shaping India’s automotive future, with collaboration across OEMs, government, and stakeholders seen as critical for long-term growth,” the opening panel concluded, whilst highlighting the dramatic shift in consumer preferences from hatchbacks to sport utility vehicles in the post-COVID period.

Panellists emphasised persistent affordability challenges in entry-level car segments and called for regulatory clarity on goods and services tax structures, ethanol blending mandates and corporate average fuel economy norms. The strengthening of aftermarket services and upgrading of local service providers were identified as critical priorities, alongside exploring new revenue models through telematics and subscription services.

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities Expose Import Dependence

A panel featuring senior executives from Honda Cars India, Omega Seiki Mobility, Tata AutoComp, BMW and Nomura Research Institute examined critical vulnerabilities in India’s electric vehicle supply chain, with particular emphasis on the country’s heavy reliance on imported battery cells.

Abhishek Sahi of Honda Cars India, Preetesh Singh from Nomura Research Institute, Dr Ajit Kumar Jindal of Tata AutoComp and Dr Arvind Gupta from BMW underscored the country’s dependence on imports—especially battery cells—while emphasising the strategic imperatives for building a sustainable EV ecosystem.

The executives highlighted the importance of accelerated localisation, stronger supplier partnerships and robust risk management frameworks to navigate global disruptions and build a resilient domestic manufacturing base.

Experts from IIT Kanpur, Altigreen, ARAI, Henkel and Stellantis discussed the transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles during a separate electrification panel, addressing lightweighting strategies, advanced materials and the critical role of startups and research centres. Panellists identified limited domestic battery production, raw material dependence and talent development as significant hurdles, whilst stressing the need for a collaborative ecosystem to meet global standards and enhance India’s competitiveness against markets such as China.

Safety Emerges As Consumer Priority

Vehicle safety is rapidly shifting from a regulatory compliance issue to a consumer-driven purchasing criterion, according to experts from ARAI, the Institute of Driving Training and Research, ZF and Bharat NCAP, who participated in a panel moderated by Neelam Pandey Pathak of the Women in Mobility Alliance and Rozgar Dhaba.

“Safety is shifting from a regulatory mandate to a consumer-driven priority, with evolving standards, ADAS integration, and stronger OEM-supplier collaboration set to align India with global benchmarks by 2027-28,” the panellists said, noting that India accounts for 11 percent of global road accidents.

The discussion highlighted advances in crash testing methodologies, driver training programmes, localised safety technologies and the growing influence of Bharat NCAP ratings on consumer purchasing decisions. Integration of advanced driver assistance systems and enhanced collaboration between manufacturers and suppliers was identified as an essential step towards meeting international safety benchmarks.

Software, AI Reshape Automotive Landscape

The forum dedicated substantial attention to the transformation of vehicles into software-defined platforms, with experts from EY-Parthenon, Elektrobit, ARAI, Vayve Mobility and HackersEra exploring the shift from hardware-centric to software-driven architectures.

Nandakumar Kollu of Elektrobit India, Nilesh Bajaj from Vayve Mobility and Vikash Chaudhary of HackersEra Automotive Cybersecurity discussed the critical importance of cybersecurity, over-the-air update capabilities, evolving regulatory frameworks and new monetisation models for software features.

Panellists highlighted India’s opportunity to lead in SDV development by leveraging its strong IT talent, growing EV ecosystem, and increased R&D investments, while stressing the need for collaboration across OEMs, suppliers, regulators, and academia.

A separate panel examined artificial intelligence applications across automotive design, customer engagement, supply chain management and aftersales service. Experts from Xane AI, Skoda Auto Volkswagen, Kinetic Green and DaveAI addressed challenges around affordability, data privacy and scalability in emerging markets.

Panellists emphasised the need for responsible, empathetic AI solutions, stronger regulatory frameworks, and industry-academia collaboration to build talent and ensure localised, consumer-centric innovation.

Consumer Insights Reveal Market Evolution

A panel led by K Srikumar of ICRA, featuring executives from Mahindra & Mahindra, MG Motor, Chitra Cars, Honda and Trak N Tell, examined the evolving Indian passenger car market, identifying significant shifts in consumer mindset, dealership dynamics and financing trends.

Ravinder Singh Rawal from Mahindra & Mahindra Automotive, Saurabh Tripathi of Morris Garages India and industry veteran Minesh Jha discussed rising demand for safety and comfort features, the growing importance of digital research channels alongside the continued relevance of physical dealerships, and the rapid expansion of the used car market.

Panellists agreed that the future will be driven by safety, cost efficiency, electrification, and personalised customer experiences, whilst noting persistent challenges in electric vehicle adoption related to financing availability and charging infrastructure gaps.

A panel moderated by Kaushik Madhavan explored future in-vehicle infotainment and telematics systems, featuring insights from Pranshu Gupta, founder and chief executive of Trak N Tell, alongside experts from Stellantis India and the National Institute of Design. Priyanka Shukla of Stellantis and Pratheek P Ashok from the National Institute of Design joined discussions on how startups can build credibility whilst manufacturers drive differentiation through user experience and connected features.

Panellists also highlighted challenges around affordability, ADAS adoption, and consumer awareness, stressing the need for innovation, data-driven solutions, and industry-academia collaboration to shape India’s next phase of mobility.

Technical presentations during the forum included an introduction to telematics solutions by Gupta and a spotlight on noise, vibration and harshness challenges in electric mobility repair by Rohit Ekhe and Alistair Saldanha from Henkel’s ACM India division.

Other notable speakers included Anil Srivastava from IIT Kanpur, Avik Chatterjee from ARAI, and Achyut Deshmukh from Stellantis. They contributed diverse expertise across the forum’s two parallel tracks, which focused on strategy, growth, and market dynamics, as well as technology, innovation, and future trends.

The forum’s organisers said the event reinforced its position as India’s premier platform dedicated to shaping the future of the passenger vehicle ecosystem, with the next edition scheduled for 2026.

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Continental has been selected by General Motors as an original equipment supplier for its new Cadillac OPTIQ and Chevrolet Equinox EV models. These electric SUVs will be factory-fitted with Continental's CrossContact RX all-weather touring tyres, specifically in 20- and 21-inch sizes.

Engineered for a blend of safety and comfort, the CrossContact RX tyres are designed to perform reliably in diverse conditions, including light off-road terrain and moderate snowfall. Their development focused on delivering strong braking performance and dynamic handling on dry, wet and wintry roads. An optimised tread pattern and contour contribute to lower rolling resistance and enhanced traction across various weather scenarios.

Furthermore, a uniform sipe arrangement within the tread reduces road noise for a quieter ride. A key feature is the inclusion of ContiSeal technology, which automatically seals punctures up to 6 mm in diameter, allowing drivers to continue their journey without immediate interruption. This technology provides an added layer of convenience and safety for electric vehicle owners.

The tyre range has been approved in the following sizes:

CrossContact RX, 275/40 R21 107H XL FR ContiSeal
CrossContact RX, 245/50 R20 105H XL FR ContiSeal

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Honda has selected Yokohama Rubber’s BluEarth AE-01 tyres as original equipment for its upcoming N-ONE e: mini-electric vehicle. Scheduled for launch in Japan in September 2025, the mini-EV will be fitted with the tyres in the size 155/65R14 75S.

As part of Yokohama’s global BluEarth brand, the AE-01 model is engineered to be an eco-conscious and socially responsible product. It is designed to provide excellent fuel efficiency while maintaining a balanced performance in key areas including quiet operation, ride comfort and tread longevity.

This partnership is a reflection of Yokohama Rubber's strategic initiative to expand its advanced BluEarth technology across a diverse range of new vehicles. The company’s tyres are increasingly chosen as factory-fitted equipment for a wide spectrum of models, from sedans and SUVs to sports cars and compact vehicles, including gasoline, hybrid and electric powertrains.

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