Apollo Tyres, in partnership with the Telangana Government, has launched a Digital Innovation Centre in Hyderabad. An MoU in this regard was signed by Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Principal Secretary for IT and Industries and Commerce, Government of Telangana, and Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Apollo Tyres. According to Apollo Tyres, the MoU was signed in the presence of K T Rama Rao, Minister for IT, Industries and MA&UD, and Dr E Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, Special Secretary, Investment Promotions and External Relations, Government of Telangana. The MoU signing and exchange took place after a meeting between the two parties during the ongoing World Economic Forum at Davos. Apollo Tyres claims that this is the second Digital Innovation Centre for the company, with the first one being in London. Apollo Tyres has tied up with global digital leaders, along with leading universities and respective governments, for the development of strategic digital applications at these Digital Innovation Centres in Hyderabad and London. 

As part of the company’s digital strategy to implement Industry 4.0, the Digital Innovation Centre will use new-age technologies like IoT, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), robotic process automation (RPA) and block chain to help develop and deliver new business models and market leading customer service. Apollo Tyres states that the DIC will drive significant efficiency gains and agility in the company’s supply chain, in addition to transforming manufacturing efficiencies and helping achieve sustainability goals.

Post the MoU exchange, Rao said, “Telangana has a vibrant innovation ecosystem, with world-class organisations such as T-Hub, We Hub and T-Works, enabling innovative ideas. Therefore, Telangana and Hyderabad are the perfect choice for Apollo Tyres’ Digital Innovation Centre. The DIC will be a wonderful addition to this ecosystem, and I thank Neeraj Kanwar and Apollo Tyres for choosing Hyderabad as the location for their second DIC.”

On the launch of the second Digital Innovation Centre, Kanwar said, “Digitalisation is one of the key pillars for achieving our FY26 vision; setting up of this Digital Innovation Centre, along with the one in London, is part of our digital strategy. I would like to express my gratitude to the Telangana Government who helped us in setting up this centre. I am looking forward to the DIC helping us solve complex business issues and process transformation, resulting in significant financial benefits to the organisation.”

Adding to this, Ranjan said, “Telangana has been a strong proponent of emerging technologies and has implemented several initiatives such as the Blockchain Hub and T-AIM, which has put us on the map. The collaboration with T-Hub can lead to great synergies for the Digital Innovation Centre, and I am excited to see the fruits of this partnership.”

As part of a strategic effort to increase its presence in the region's premium original equipment (OE) market, Kumho Tire has confirmed its plans to establish its first tyre production facility in Europe by 2027.

The company has shortlisted Poland, Serbia and Portugal as possible locations for the plant, which is projected to need an investment of more than KRW1 trillion (USD 705 million). The decision is closely linked to Kumho’s ambition to strengthen its partnerships with European automakers and was revealed by Kumho Tire CEO during the South Korean premiere of Kumho's new Ecsta Sport tyre line.

Kumho has recently secured OE supply contracts with major brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen Group. At the moment, Kumho runs eight tyre production plants in China, Vietnam, South Korea and the US. Its capacity to compete in the premium OE market, however, has come to be perceived as being constrained by the absence of a European production base. Through the benefits of local production, the new facility will improve response to European client requests, save freight costs and shorten delivery times, all of which will strengthen the company's partnerships.

Sentury Tire USA has opened pre-enrolment for its two associate dealer programmes (ADPs), the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program and the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program, underscoring the company’s commitment to rewarding dedication and partnership to the Landsail and Delinte brands.

The ADPs, which are customised for each brand and intended to encourage dealers, will formally start on 1 June 2025. Both programmes give dealers access to special benefits, incentives and strong tools to help them expand their businesses. This involves dependable customer service, effective marketing and worthwhile financial incentives to promote dealers' success at every stage.

Beginning in Q3, dealers may earn up to USD three per tyre through the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program. Dealers can receive retroactive benefits for purchases completed in Q2 if they register before 1 June. The awards are available for all Delinte PTR, LTR and the new DV3 LMD AS last-mile delivery tyres. For all Landsail PTR and LTR tyres, independent dealers that sign up for the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program can also earn up to USD three per tyre. For customers who sign up by June 1, the new LMD 100 AS last-mile delivery is also eligible for the benefits and will get the same early bird incentive for Q2 2025.

No initial order is necessary. Dealers only need to register to begin making money. According to the monthly programme rewards structure, 48 tyre purchases each month are eligible for a reward of USD one per tyre, 120 tyres are eligible for a reward of USD two per tyre and 240 or more tyres are eligible for a reward of USD three per tyre.

ENSO, a London-based tyre manufacturer engaged in the production of sustainable tyres specially designed for electric vehicles (EVs), has launched its new ENSO Premium range of EV-specific ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres aimed at drivers of high-performance EVs such as the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.

Specifically designed for electric passenger vehicles, the ENSO Premium range comes with A/A EU-label ratings for both energy efficiency and wet grip. The tyres are designed to provide safety, increased range and a reduced total cost of ownership. Conventional tyre designs frequently fall short of the special performance needs of electric vehicles, which include greater vehicle weight, regenerative braking and higher torque loads. By lowering tyre wear and rolling resistance, ENSO Premium takes care of these issues.

The company is an authorised provider of replacement tyres for LEVC's electric taxis and has partnered with Uber to install its tyres in high-mileage metropolitan areas. The company now plans to grow throughout Europe and North America, and with ENSO Premium, it is now offering its services to individual EV owners throughout the United Kingdom. According to ENSO, the range offers advantages including longer tyre life and fewer replacements, lower energy usage, fewer charging stops and lower CO₂ emissions and tyre particle pollution.

Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, CEO and Co-Founder, ENSO, said, “We’re plugging a long-standing gap in the tyre market by offering EV drivers a purpose-built, affordable, premium EV tyre alternative that matches the innovation of their EV.”

Kraton Corporation, a leading global sustainable producer of specialty polymers and high-value bio-based products derived from pine wood pulping co-products, has announced a general price hike in North America for its SBS, SIS and HSBC product lines with effect from 1 May 2025.

Following a careful analysis of the effects of recently implemented tariffs, related cost increases and a conclusion that the company cannot independently absorb these repercussions, Kraton is adopting these pricing hikes, according to a company statement. The company further said that it will keep an eye on the scene and reassess these measures promptly in the event that conditions and US import tariffs alter.