Key speakers for the first edition included Dr S S Gupta, Senior Development Officer – DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry; Anshuman Singhania, Chairman, ATMA; Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM; Rajesh Menon, Director General, SIAM; Rajiv Budhraja, Director General, ATMA; V K Misra, Past Chairman, ITTAC and Technical Director, J K Tyre & Industries; Sudershan Gusain, Senior Deputy General Manager, Bridgestone India; B V Shamsundara, Deputy Director (SHL), ARAI; Ravin Kurian, Chairman, ITTAC and Senior General Manager, MRF; Deepak Sawkar, Senior Advisor, Maruti Suzuki  and Harjeet Singh, Chairman, SIAM Two Wheeler Group and Executive Adviser – Technical, Hero Motocorp.

“Road safety and tyre are very closely related. Under the tri-series jointly organised with ATMA, the first series focuses on tyre and road safety, second on technology and environmental issues, and third on standards, regulations and sustainability,” said Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM.

“Tyres are the most critical safety component for a vehicle and road safety and are one of the highly regulated automotive components,” said Rajesh Menon, Director General, SIAM.

In his inaugural address, Anshuman Singhania, Chairman, ATMA and MD, JK Tyre & Industries , said, “Tyre industry in India has all along understood the need for safety and has been constantly upgrading for promoting sustainable mobility. It has been our consistent effort to ensure that tyres are central to all discussion about road safety, behavioural fuel efficiency, rider handling etc. Tyres are unfortunately one of the most neglected parts of vehicle, but awareness is now growing. Road safety revolves around 3Es – education, engineering and enforcement – and I would urge the industry to organise more such programmes to educate the wider audience.”

The guest of honour, Dr S S Gupta, Senior Development Officer – DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, said, “This programme on awareness about tyre care and road safety is very timely and relevant. The issues related to the tyre industry are being taken care of continuously by the DPIIT under Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Various interventions have been initiated by the department, including the one on import policy which brought tyres from free import category to restricted category, giving a boost to the domestic industry. These initiatives will lead to Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat while promoting local manufacturing of tyres.”

According to Rajiv Budhraja, Director General, ATMA, tyre has been the most regulated yet neglected auto component, and data substantiates that tyre care is lacking globally. These awareness and education initiatives will herald a new era of raising awareness and imparting education on the aspect of tyre safety through this tri lecture series, especially in this digital world.”

Sudershan Gusain, Senior Deputy General Manager, Bridgestone India Pvt Ltd, said that 410 deaths per day happen due to road traffic accidents in India and many of these are attributed to neglected tyres. While he called for greater industry efforts to changing perception on tyre care through awareness, he encouraged all motorists to maintain their vehicle’s tyres by playing their PART – Pressure, Alignment, Rotation and Tread.

Ravin Kurian, Chairman, ITTAC and Senior General Manager, MRF Ltd, spoke about safety, durability and failure analysis of tyres. He pointed out that rash driving, low inflation and potholes are considered to be the major reasons for quick wearing out of tyres and highlighted that road hazards, inflation pressure, tyre section height and structure are important parameters for understanding quality of tyres.

The interactive session held amongst speakers focused on the pivotal role of tyres in road safety, being the only point of contact between the vehicle and the road. The tri-series will continue its endeavours and organise the two remaining sessions on the topics: ‘Technology and Environmental Challenges’ on 24th September 2021 and ‘Regulation and Sustainability’ in October 2021, which will deliberate upon various aspects of tyre manufacturing, raw material sourcing, recycling, environmental, regulatory framework and sustainability. (TT)

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Michelin has expanded its retail footprint in North India by inaugurating two Michelin Tyres & Services (MTS) outlets, located in Amritsar and Panchkula. The Amritsar location operates through a partnership with National Auto, while the Panchkula facility is a collaboration with Universal Tyres. This development underscores the French tyre giant’s strategy to place its globally recognised products and services within closer reach of consumers in a rapidly developing automotive market.

Each of the new establishments spans 5,000 square feet, situated strategically on Loharka Road and within Panchkula’s Industrial Area. Designed as modern service hubs, they provide a full spectrum of offerings, ranging from passenger car and two-wheeler tyres to advanced wheel alignment and mechanical maintenance. The stores stock renowned product lines such as the Primacy, Pilot Sport and Latitude Sport series, aiming to deliver a premium and seamless experience for vehicle owners.

The selection of Amritsar and Panchkula reflects Michelin’s assessment of their growth potential, driven by tourism, infrastructure projects and a rising number of private vehicle owners. To capitalise on these opportunities, Michelin has aligned with established regional players. National Auto, a trusted entity in Amritsar since 1927, brings a long-standing reputation for quality service, while Universal Tyres contributes over three decades of technical expertise and market knowledge in the Panchkula region.

These partnerships are central to Michelin’s broader objective of delivering superior mobility solutions rooted in safety and durability. By combining its own technological leadership with the local acumen of its partners, the company aims to strengthen its service ecosystem and cater to the evolving demands of the northern Indian automotive sector.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said, “North India continues to be a key market in Michelin's growth journey, supported by rising vehicle ownership, improving road infrastructure and growing demand for premium mobility solutions. The launch of our new Michelin Tyres & Services Stores in Amritsar and Panchkula marks another important step in strengthening our retail presence and bringing Michelin's globally benchmarked products and services closer to customers across the region. As we prepare to introduce Made-in-India passenger car tyres, we remain focused on delivering solutions tailored to the evolving needs of Indian consumers.”

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Tyres Europe has issued a formal call for the Industrial Accelerator Act to be revised, urging policymakers to grant greater recognition to the tyre sector’s strategic importance within the continent’s automotive ecosystem. In a newly published position paper, the organisation argues that the current framework insufficiently addresses the industry’s unique contributions and challenges.

The association is advocating for several key amendments, including an expanded scope that acknowledges tyres as critical components in both the replacement and original equipment markets, thereby stimulating demand for EU-manufactured products. Additionally, Tyres Europe proposes the establishment of a Union origin definition that would prioritise European production in public procurement and state-aid schemes. The paper also highlights tyres’ potential to enhance energy efficiency and lower CO2 emissions for light vehicles, while calling for dedicated backing for retreaded and EU-made truck and bus tyres, alongside increased financial mechanisms for industrial decarbonisation and improved governance of manufacturing acceleration zones.

With these targeted modifications, Tyres Europe contends that the Industrial Accelerator Act could effectively foster a market for low-carbon, high-performance tyres produced domestically. Such adjustments would simultaneously bolster competitiveness, support decarbonisation goals and reinforce the overall resilience of Europe’s automotive supply chain.

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Tegeta Green Planet and Toyota Center Tegeta served as the primary backers for a summer camp organised by Word Academy, which brought together adolescents between the ages of 8 and 17 in the Kakheti region. The initiative was designed as a digital detox, with all forms of screens and online platforms set aside in favour of immersive, real-world learning experiences.

The week-long agenda was deliberately varied, mixing educational seminars with hands-on exercises, strategic games, and open-forum conversations. Campers were given the opportunity to interact with experts from a range of occupations, all while developing their abilities in analytical reasoning, group coordination and ethical decision-making through carefully structured activities.

A significant portion of the schedule was given over to ecological subjects, with Shalva Akhvlediani, Director of Tegeta Green Planet, and his colleagues leading sessions on waste management and sustainability. The discussions centred on closed-loop systems, producer accountability frameworks and the correct disposal methods for vehicle-derived refuse, including used tyres, spent batteries and lubricating oils. Following these briefings, the teenagers engaged in spirited debates and cooperative challenges that explored the connection between daily habits and broader environmental health.

By the conclusion of the camp, the participants had reached a collective understanding that safeguarding nature is a duty shared equally by citizens, public institutions and commercial entities. Tegeta Green Planet views such educational outreach as a cornerstone of its mission. Toyota Center Tegeta echoed this sentiment, stating through its actions that nurturing youthful minds and ecological mindfulness are indispensable steps toward a resilient and enlightened tomorrow.

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Maxxis has unveiled the next iteration of its MaxxTerra rubber compound, engineered to substantially enhance both durability and traction for mountain bike tyres. The updated formulation maintains the low rolling resistance that characterises the brand’s performance range, addressing rider demands for extended tyre life without compromising capability on difficult trails.

Following extensive laboratory development and testing, Maxxis engineers achieved measurable improvements over the original compound. The new version exhibits a minimum 30 percent increase in tread wear resistance and a 15 percent gain in grip, all while preserving rolling efficiency. This advancement translates to prolonged riding sessions and reduced frequency of tyre changes for end users.

The enhanced compound will be progressively integrated across the entire trail tyre lineup, with the initial phase currently available. Consumers can distinguish the updated product through packaging marked with a ‘New MaxxTerra’ graphic, while the tyre’s sidewall badge now simply displays ‘MaxxTerra’, replacing the previous ‘3C MaxxTerra’ designation.

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