Apollo Tyres launched its new mobility service business model, AVOLVE, aimed at providing tailored solutions to commercial vehicle fleet operators in India. With innovative mobility services and solutions, AVOLVE will partner with fleets to overcome their challenges and evolve their business towards sustainable growth.

AVOLVE offers a bouquet of offerings to customers to choose from, including the basic “Digital Edge,” which is a digitised tyre management application that provides end-to-end tyre data and analytics to make informed decisions for higher yields and potential cost savings. Additionally, under “Expert Advisory” services, AVOLVE provides tyre experts who offer valuable information for the right solutions and maintenance practices. The “Anywhere Connected services” help customers with enhanced uptime and safety, driving up their profitability with preventive maintenance services offered via India’s largest certified service network of Apollo Tyres.

Speaking at the launch of AVOLVE, Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman and MD, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “There is a huge shift towards ‘Productisation of Services’ business model, and, being the leaders in the Indian Tyre Industry, we are pioneering this in India to increase the operational efficiencies of our customers -- the large fleet operators. We will now be selling the products (tyres) and services separately, or bundled together, to our customers. The key enablers for us in this Servitisation journey, would be new-age digital technologies like Cloud, IoT, AI and ML, Sensors and 5G-enabled wireless communications.”

The comprehensive customised services from Apollo Tyres for large fleets nationwide will be brand agnostic. In addition, the company has developed a new application, AVOLVE, for transparent data-driven insights and to ensure efficient fleet operations for the customers. The application developed by KT Telematics Solutions will help digitise data related to the trucks/fleets and tyre lifecycle management.

Satish Sharma, President, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA), Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “The success of the pilot initiative on service business model, has given us the confidence to enrol more fleets, and similarly, we have been receiving requests from the fleets to get them on board. The initial data, from the 1500-1600 odd trucks (around 11,000 tyres) whom we have onboarded, suggests that we have been able to improve the operational efficiencies of the fleet operators by 10 - 15 percent. Considering that tyres are the third or fourth highest contributor to fleet owners’ operational cost, after fuel, road taxes and labour, the cost savings can be significant in the long run.”

Bridgestone will supply tailored-made tyres for Lamborghini’s Huracán STO, which will be launched in 2021.

Bridgestone ensured the high-performance tyre can maximise the Huracán STO’s traction, handling, control, and extreme overall performance.

Key to the tyre’s success in maximising the super sports car’s performance is the combination of pattern and cavity design. The Potenza tyres apply an asymmetric tread design for enhanced steering response and cornering stability, and an internal crown structure that distributes footprint pressure evenly when cornering.

As well as the road-focused, custom-developed Potenza fitment, Bridgestone will also be providing a track-oriented, road-homologated version of the tyre that applies “race” technologies to maximise the vehicle’s track performance, especially in dry conditions.

Steven De Bock, VP Consumer Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said, “It’s been a pleasure for our team to work so closely with Lamborghini for the first time, and on such an exciting project. The Huracán STO is an incredible piece of engineering that deserves a custom tyre that can fulfill its full potential. I can proudly say that Bridgestone has delivered such a high-performance tyre. It has been fantastic for the team to have worked on a project that is at the forefront of technology in so many ways.”

Hankook, one of the major global tyre brands, has started testing and development operations at its new ultra modern facility in Spain.

The testing facility has been set up on the premises of the Applus+ IDIADA Group and can also cater to European premium car manufacturers that have their own demanding tyre tests. The facility is completely automated and will host a 20-member team from the Spanish testing centre, which is affiliated to the Hankook Europe Technical Centre.

Klaus Krause, Head of European Research and Development Centre, said, "With the further expansion of our testing capacities in Spain, we are reaching the next level together with our local partner Applus+ IDIADA."

He also added, "We are confident that the newly installed testing facilities in particular will significantly improve our efforts to provide the best tyre testing conditions and services to our employees and customers. In addition, we will also be able to conduct significantly more tests on site." (TT)

ASCENSO introduced a construction tyre - BLB 730- which is used for boom lift vehicles used in construction and other industries. It comes with several features that cater to the unique needs of aerial lifting equipment.

The BLB 730 tyre is available in different sizes to fit various boom lift vehicles. This range of sizes provides versatility and compatibility with different types of aerial lift work platforms.

“ASCENSO's BLB 730 tyre is a significant advancement in specialised equipment for the construction industry. It focuses on load capacity, stability, traction, and durability to improve the performance and safety of boom lift vehicles. Whether working at heights or manoeuvring on tough terrains, this tyre offers reliability and durability for efficient operations,” said the company in a statement.

The BLB 730 tyre is built to handle heavy loads and stabilise boom lift vehicles. It has solid lugs and a more extended shoulder design, which ensures good traction and prevents slipping during operation. This is important for safely carrying heavy weights at high elevations. ASCENSO has used a special rubber compound in making the BLB 730 tyre, making it durable and long-lasting, resulting in less downtime and more productivity on construction sites.

To make the tyre even better, the company has optimised its inner volume to reduce tyre fill consumption, reducing the risk of tyre punctures, minimising the need for maintenance, and keep the vehicles running smoothly.

Falken Tyre Europe is an official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 partner for the upcoming tournament, the company has announced. The tournament is taking place at nine venues in Sweden and Poland from 11-29 January, 2023. Falken Tyre claims that the partnership was organised by the sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE. SPORTFIVE is responsible for exclusive marketing and media rights for all IHF World Championships until 2031.

Falken Tyre claims that this is its second agreement with the International Handball Federation. In addition to title and logo rights (Official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 Partner), the company has also secured advertising rights, including the Falken logo in each goal and centre circle of the courts, as well as the presence of Falken branding in the official tournament social media communications and print materials. According to Falken Tyre, this is complemented by 30-second video ads that will be shown on the big screens in the nine sports halls before the start of each match and at half-time.

Sharing his views, Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer at SPORTFIVE, said, “With Falken, the IHF World Handball Championships have secured a great partner who is positioned with far-reaching influence in the relevant core markets. We are delighted to have been able to bring two global partners together for one of the most exciting sporting events of next year.”

Markus Bögner, COO and President of Falken Tyre Europe GmbH, explained, “Handball isn’t just of great importance in Europe, but all over the world, which has led us to partake in this top-level tournament once again. The fact that the international tournament is taking place in countries that are among our core markets is another great reason for our involvement. We can also look back on a long partnership with our colleagues at SPORTFIVE, who always offers us excellent opportunities that are an excellent fit for the Falken brand, which stands for enthusiasm, performance and achievement.”