TVS Srichakra Remains Technical Partner for PETRONAS TVS One Make Championship

TVS Srichakra Remains Technical Partner for PETRONAS TVS One Make Championship

TVS Srichakra Ltd, one of India’s leading manufacturers of 2 & 3-wheeler and off-highway tyres, remains the ‘Technical Partner’ for the fifth year’s PETRONAS TVS One Make Championship. 
The partnership involves a strategic collaboration between Eurogrip and TVS Apache series. 
All motorcycles in the championship will race with custom-designed TVS Eurogrip tyres. The first event occurred on 3 and 4 June at Kari Motor Racetrack, Coimbatore. 
The 2023 edition features TVS Eurogrip’s flagship products, Protorq Extreme and Remora, on TVS Apache RR 310 and TVS Apache RTR 200 motorcycles. 
TVS Racing, the pioneer of the championship since 1994, has expanded it into four categories: Rookie, Women’s, Media, and Expert, alongside the renowned Indian National Motorcycle Racing. Additionally, TVS Racing organized the inaugural Asia One Make Championship in 2022 during the Asia Road Racing Championship.

Speaking about the partnership,  V Sivaramakrishnan, Chief Technology Officer (R&D), TVS Srichakra Ltd, said, “Partnering with TVS One Make Championship as the ‘Technical Partner’ for the fifth year in a row is prestigious for us and shows our commitment towards building quality products that perform on the track. I am sure Protorq Extreme, our flagship zero-degree steel belted radials will give the racers the confidence to push their limits and excel on the racing circuit. Wishing the racers all the very best and look forward to all the action in TVS One Make Championship-2023.”

P Madhavan, Executive Vice President, TVS Srichakra Ltd., said, “As we continue building Eurogrip as a strong brand in the racing space, we are happy to continue with our technical partnership of the TVS One Make Championship and remain committed towards strengthening two-wheeler racing in India. Racing is the ultimate test for the quality of our products and we have been receiving very good feedback and testimonials from the racers on the performance of our tyres in the last few years. We will continue strengthening our premium product range and offering world-class high-performance products.”

Commenting on the collaboration, Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company, said, “TVS Racing has been instrumental in nurturing and developing young talent in the world of motorsports, and the PETRONAS TVS One Make Championship is a testimony to our commitment. We are thrilled to partner with TVS Srichakra Ltd for this. TVS Eurogrip tyres offer high-performance to our racers on the track, enhancing their confidence while riding their TVS Apache motorcycles, and clocking in exemplary lap timings. We are sure to witness another exciting race season together this year.”

 

Michelin Develops Groundbreaking Pilot Sport Cup 2 R K1 Tyre For Ferrari F80

Michelin Develops Groundbreaking Pilot Sport Cup 2 R K1 Tyre For Ferrari F80

The MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 R K1 tyre showcases Michelin’s engineering excellence, delivering unmatched dry-surface performance for the Ferrari F80. Developed in just 15 months, this tyre benefited from advanced virtual simulation and Michelin’s proprietary C3M manufacturing process, reducing physical prototypes by 20-30 percent and accelerating production while minimising environmental impact.

Michelin and Ferrari leveraged cutting-edge simulation tools – typically reserved for motorsport – to optimise the tyre’s design before physical testing. Five virtual trials, including dynamic simulations at Ferrari’s Maranello facility, ensured perfect alignment with the F80’s extreme performance demands.

To withstand the car’s immense power, torque and aerodynamic forces, Michelin engineered a breakthrough rubber compound using a motorsport-derived mixing process, now adapted for road use. The tyre also features a reinforced twin-layer radial casing and innovative shoulder belt reinforcement, enhancing grip and stability while reducing centrifugal effects. These advancements make it the first road tyre to combine such high-performance technologies in a single design. Available in unique sizes (285/30R20 front, 345/30R21 rear), the Pilot Sport Cup 2 R K1 is exclusively tailored for the Ferrari F80.

Precision manufacturing is achieved through Michelin’s C3M process, which ensures consistent, high-accuracy production akin to 3D printing. Additionally, Michelin’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in the tyre’s development, which prioritised reduced carbon emissions. It is developed at the carbon-neutral Gravanches facility in Clermont-Ferrand, a site recognised for its low water consumption.

The All-New NEXO Hydrogen SUV To Run On NEXEN TIRE’s N’FERA Supreme S Tyres

The All-New NEXO Hydrogen SUV To Run On NEXEN TIRE’s N’FERA Supreme S Tyres

Hyundai Motor Company has selected NEXEN TIRE’s premium comfort tyre N’FERA Supreme S as original equipment (OE) for the all-new NEXO, a next-generation hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).

The all-new NEXO represents its first complete redesign in seven years, featuring groundbreaking hydrogen technology that delivers an impressive 700+ km range while maintaining whisper-quiet operation. This next-generation SUV showcases a sustainability-focused design inside and out. To match these advanced capabilities, Hyundai selected the innovative N'FERA Supreme S tyres, specifically engineered for hydrogen-powered vehicles.

These high-performance tyres feature an AI-optimised structure that ensures exceptional durability and handling stability, crucial for supporting the NEXO's weight. Their advanced Level Keeping Technology maintains consistent performance throughout the tyre's lifespan, while the aerodynamic tread design enhances efficiency without compromising braking or control.

Perfectly complementing the NEXO's silent hydrogen powertrain, the tyres incorporate multiple noise-reduction technologies. These include built-in sound-absorbing materials and an AI-developed tread pattern that minimises road noise in all driving conditions. Together, these features create a harmonious blend of eco-friendly innovation and driving performance, making the new NEXO a true leader in sustainable mobility.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO of NEXEN TIRE, said, “This latest supply agreement highlights NEXEN TIRE’s technological leadership in the next generation of eco-friendly mobility. We will continue to broaden our global OE partnerships by delivering optimised tyre solutions for all powertrains – hydrogen fuel cell, electric, hybrid and internal combustion alike.”

Giti Tire And VWCV Team Up For VW ID. Buzz EV World Record Attempt

Giti Tire And VWCV Team Up For VW ID. Buzz EV World Record Attempt

Giti Tire has teamed up with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) to support Challenge4’s ambitious Guinness World Record attempt – visiting the most countries in a zero-emission vehicle using the fully electric VW ID. Buzz.

Spearheading the challenge is Rainer Zietlow, founder of Challenge4 GmbH and an eight-time Guinness World Record holder, known for his focus on endurance, efficiency and sustainable mobility. The journey kicks off on 1 July at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ headquarters in Hannover, Germany, with the first leg covering major European cities. Throughout the expedition, the team will engage with the VW community, media, fans and Giti’s global distributor network. The epic journey will span over 80,000 kilometres across approximately 75 countries in Europe, Central Asia, Oceania, Asia and the Americas, lasting more than eight months.

The ID. Buzz will be equipped with GitiSynergyH2 tyres (235/60 R18 front, 255/55 R18 rear), following Giti’s Original Equipment (OE) agreement with VWCV that began in September 2023. This marks Giti’s first EV tyre nomination in Europe, and the record attempt will serve as a real-world showcase of the company’s advanced EV tyre technology, emphasising durability, safety and sustainability. The AAA-rated GitiSynergyH2 tyres feature an innovative tread compound designed to minimise rolling resistance without sacrificing wear performance or critical safety attributes like wet and dry braking.

Zietlow said, “This is going to be a great adventure and one in which I’m proud to have Giti as my tyre partner of choice.”  

Stefan Brohs, Marketing Director – Europe, Giti Tire, said, “This marks the first joint global EV record tour for Rainer which is supported by Giti Tire and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, reinforcing both brands' commitment to innovation and sustainability. This magnificent opportunity allows us to reinforce Giti's leadership in EV tyre technology and amplify our global brand visibility via high-impact storytelling and brand content across global regions. It also strengthens our OE credentials through visible support in a common project, which in turn will help deepen engagement with distributors, dealers and partners around the globe.”

Nexen Tire Opens Flagship Store in Bangkok as Part of Southeast Asia Expansion Drive

Nexen Tire Opens Flagship Store in Bangkok as Part of Southeast Asia Expansion Drive

South Korean tyre manufacturer Nexen Tire has opened a new flagship brand shop in Bangkok, marking a key milestone in the company’s strategic expansion across Southeast Asia’s rapidly growing automotive market.

The newly renovated store was developed in partnership with a leading Thai tyre distributor that has maintained a decade-long relationship with Nexen Tire and operates more than 800 retail outlets throughout Thailand. The flagship location features a modernised environment designed to showcase Nexen Tire’s global brand identity, with every aspect from layout to customer service aligned with the company’s visual standards and brand philosophy.

The move comes as Southeast Asia’s tyre market shows robust growth potential, with annual demand reaching approximately 90 million units for passenger car radial (PCR) and light truck radial (LTR) tyres and projected annual growth of 3.7%.

Nexen Tire is responding to this opportunity by accelerating its regional investment, particularly in high-growth markets such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The company plans to renew over 80 key retail locations across Southeast Asia by the end of 2025, creating a unified brand presence to support localised sales campaigns.

Recognising the region’s high digital engagement levels, Nexen Tire is also utilising influencer partnerships and digital media to reach younger, mobile-first consumers.

The company’s regional product strategy emphasises high-performance summer tyres and all-terrain models specifically designed for Southeast Asia’s hot, humid, and challenging driving conditions. Key products, including the N’FERA SU4 and ROADIAN ATX, are gaining traction among local motorists seeking durability and performance.

“Our expansion in Southeast Asia represents a pivotal step in NEXEN TIRE’s global growth journey,” said John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, chief executive of Nexen Tire. “While we’ve followed a carefully phased strategy aligned with production capacity and long-term vision, we are now entering a phase of acceleration. Our goal is to solidify our premium brand position not only in Europe and North America but across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Australia through strong local partnerships and a unified brand experience.”

The investment demonstrates Nexen Tire’s long-term confidence in Southeast Asia as the company works towards becoming one of the world’s most recognised and trusted tyre brands.