Bridgestone India, a subsidiary of Japan’s Bridgestone Corporation, has marked three decades of operations in the country with a commemorative ceremony in New Delhi. The event functioned as a strategic review of the company’s deep-rooted presence in the region, bringing together a wide array of automotive executives, government officials and supply-chain collaborators. Senior management used the occasion to reaffirm the organisation's long-term commitment to the subcontinent, highlighting the mutual growth achieved through sustained industrial cooperation.

The ceremony was elevated by the presence of the Japanese Ambassador to India, H.E. ONO Keiichi, who acted as the guest of honour for the evening. His attendance underscored the diplomatic and economic importance of the bilateral ties that have supported the company’s expansion. During the proceedings, Bridgestone formally acknowledged the critical role played by its local allies and manufacturing partners, whose operational support has been fundamental to navigating the competitive Indian automotive landscape over the decades.

While the celebrations looked towards the future, they also provided a moment to evaluate the company’s evolutionary path within the country. The initial foray into India began with commercial activities in 1996, but the true industrial footprint was established two years later when production commenced at the Pithampur complex in Madhya Pradesh. Subsequent capacity enhancements, notably the 2013 addition of the Chakan facility near Pune, allowed the firm to scale its operations to meet the surging domestic demand for diversified tyre products.

In a bid to stay ahead of technological curves, Bridgestone inaugurated a specialised Satellite Technology Centre at its Pune site in 2025. This research hub is designed to localise the development of premium-grade tyres, concentrating on the entire lifecycle from raw material experimentation to final product engineering for Indian roads. This strategic move is intended to embed advanced research capabilities directly within the local manufacturing ecosystem, ensuring that regional offerings align with global ‘Dan-Totsu’ quality standards.

As the company transitions into its next operational decade, leadership is pivoting towards a robust agenda centred on sustainable transportation and digital mobility solutions. The firm currently supplies a comprehensive portfolio covering passenger vehicles, heavy-load trucks and off-road machinery, all engineered for local climatic and road conditions. With a strengthened technological base and a mature distribution network, Bridgestone India is positioning itself to be a primary catalyst in the country’s ongoing infrastructure modernisation and vehicular safety evolution.

H.E. ONO Keiichi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to India & the Kingdom of Bhutan, said, “Bridgestone India's 30-year journey is not merely the story of the growth of a company; it is also a symbol of the success of Japan-India economic cooperation. Since its establishment in 1996, the company has grown alongside the Indian market and has made significant contributions to India's industrial development and the evolution of mobility through its investments in plants in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.”

Ankit Asthana, IAS, Additional Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation, said, “The story of Bridgestone in Madhya Pradesh is not merely the success of one company; it is an example of how visionary corporate leadership and responsive governance can together create lasting economic and social value. This collaboration has not only contributed to the company’s growth but has also strengthened the industrial ecosystem of our state by generating employment, supporting ancillary industries and promoting responsible manufacturing.”

Nobuyuki Tamura, Member of the Board, Representative Executive Officer, EAST CEO, Bridgestone Corporation, said, “The first 30 years established a strong foundation, and the next 30 years will create new possibilities. Throughout our journey in India, we have remained guided by our Mission, ‘Serving Society with Superior Quality’, and our commitment to creating value for society through safety, sustainability, innovation and quality. India today plays a significant role in Bridgestone’s regional and global growth strategy. Looking ahead, we will further strengthen our commitment to India, including through the previously announced passenger car tyre expansion plan, preparations for which are already underway, while continuing to enhance our R&D capabilities to meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of the Indian market. Together with our partners and stakeholders, we will continue to innovate, grow and contribute to a safer, more sustainable and more connected future of mobility.”

Rajarshi Moitra, Managing Director, Bridgestone India, said, “Bridgestone India has contributed to India's growth through investment, employment generation, manufacturing excellence, technology development, local sourcing and skill development. As we enter the next phase, our focus will remain on translating Bridgestone's global capabilities into locally relevant products and solutions, strengthening responsible manufacturing, deepening partnerships across the automotive value chain, and addressing the evolving needs of mobility, society and the environment.”

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The FALKEN ZIEX ZE320 has emerged as the outright winner of the 2026 Auto Express summer tyre test, securing the top position in a competitive field that included premium, mid-range and budget alternatives. The comprehensive evaluation, conducted by the prominent UK automotive publication, saw the ZIEX ZE320 praised for its balanced capabilities and reassuring dynamics across both wet and dry surfaces.

Auto Express, a leading authority for new and used car buyers in the UK, is renowned for its independent tyre assessments, which are carried out without the prior knowledge of the manufacturers. The testing procedure for this year’s competition focused on the popular 205/55 R16 91V size, incorporating a variety of rigorous metrics such as braking, handling, aquaplaning resistance and noise levels.

The tyre’s victory was underscored by its performance in key disciplines, including setting the fastest lap times on both wet and dry circuits. The design features of the ZIEX ZE320, including an intelligent tread pattern with offset sipes, contribute to its strong traction and precise steering feel, while its lightweight casing and optimised sidewalls aim to improve rolling efficiency and reduce noise without sacrificing lateral stability. The entire range holds an ‘A’ rating for wet grip under EU labelling.

Available in 61 sizes spanning 15- to 18-inch wheel diameters, the tyre’s success was hailed as a strong endorsement of its everyday usability and performance. The Auto Express test team ultimately concluded that the ZE320’s all-round excellence and strong results in almost every discipline made it an outstanding choice for a broad spectrum of drivers.

John Barker, a journalist and expert tester from Auto Express, said, “The FALKEN scored an impressive victory, beating some excellent tyres to take a first win. It topped the table in three tests, including setting fastest lap times on both the wet and dry circuits, illustrating its excellent all-round ability. It was the pace-setter in both the wet and the dry and delivered strong results in almost every other discipline too. It’s an outstanding tyre.”

Jaap Leendertse, Managing Director, Sumitomo Rubber Europe, the parent company for FALKEN, said, “Winning the Auto Express summer tyre test is a fantastic achievement and a strong endorsement of the ZIEX ZE320’s real-world performance. This result demonstrates that FALKEN achieved the highest overall score in this test against several other tyre models and can deliver qualities that many drivers value, including performance and everyday usability.”

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Michelin has unveiled a strategic overhaul of its product branding within the Beyond Road division, following the recent divestiture of the Camso business. The restructuring marks a significant shift in how the company will present its off-road portfolio to the global market, focusing on clarity and heritage.

Effective September 2026, the agricultural tracks previously sold under the Camso label will be rebranded as MICHELIN BIBTRACK. This new nomenclature pays homage to Michelin’s deep-rooted agricultural history, with the ‘BIB’ designation drawing from a legacy of tyre innovation that began in the 1980s. This lineage includes renowned ranges such as AGRIBIB and AXIOBIB, underscoring the brand's longstanding commitment to the farming sector.

The rebranding extends to conversion and trailed track systems, which will now carry the Michelin name without altering their product designations. Crucially, this transition involves no changes to product performance, manufacturing processes or service delivery, ensuring a seamless experience for customers. The company has simultaneously retained its material handling and Powersports activities, with industrial wheels and tyres transitioning to the Solideal by MICHELIN banner, alongside its dedicated on-site service unit.

This restructuring follows the formal sale of the Camso brand, along with specific construction tyres and tracks, to CEAT, a process initiated in late 2024 and finalised in September 2025. By streamlining its brand architecture, Michelin aims to simplify the customer journey while reinforcing its ambition to become a premier player in off-road mobility, delivering sustainable and innovative solutions grounded in advanced materials expertise.

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Yokohama Tire’s off-road racing contingent is set for a pivotal appearance at the 57th annual Polaris World Championships, scheduled for 4–6 September at Crandon International Raceway in Wisconsin. Known as ‘The Big House’, the venue represents a key stop on the Championship Off-Road season calendar, with Yokohama serving as both the official tyre of the facility and a supporting partner of the racing series.

The team’s lineup features several notable competitors navigating the rugged terrain on GEOLANDAR tyres. Andrew Carlson, a proven contender with multiple podium finishes at Crandon, will pilot his vehicle in the Pro4 class using GEOLANDAR X-AT tyres. Meanwhile, recent Supercross 450 Class Champion Ken Roczen is slated to make his debut at the historic track, competing in the Pro2 class on the same tire model.

Robb Holland is also poised for his first Crandon appearance, trading asphalt for dirt in the Pro Lite division. He will drive a truck belonging to fellow Team Yokohama driver John Holtger, relying on GEOLANDAR A/T4 tyres for his inaugural short-course off-road race. Additionally, team driver Nick Visser enters the weekend holding a narrow lead in the Pro-Spec championship standings, with the title battle intensifying as the season progresses.

Beyond the on-track action, Yokohama will lead the traditional Crandon Labor Day Parade, featuring Carlson and Roczen. The weekend will also include a BassmastHER workshop hosted by Cogan and Carsello, aimed at advancing skills for female participants in the paddock, alongside a VIP and youth fishing tournament held on-site.

Candace Cogan, Director – Product Marketing, Yokohama, said, “We’ve got a great team ready to take on the challenges at Crandon during short-course racing’s most celebrated weekend. They will be ready to face the task on our versatile line of GEOLANDAR tyres. We will once again feature our partnership with Bassmaster with a cool collaboration. Last year we hosted Team Yokohama elite angler, Brandon Palanuik. This time we’ll host Wisconsin native MaggieJo Carsello, a Bassmaster open angler and ambassador for BassmastHER, a female-driven initiative to support a community of female anglers via education, travel and inspiration. We look forward to introducing her to Crandon and the world of short-course off-road racing, something she grew up hearing about.”

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Kumho Tire USA recently hosted a national Ride & Drive event at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington, where over 70 dealers, media professionals and content creators tested the company’s newest tyre models. The gathering served as a key component of Kumho’s broader 2026 regional tour, which has already engaged more than 600 participants across five American cities. Attendees evaluated the newly launched Road Venture HT and Crugen GT Pro tyres through demanding, real-world driving scenarios.

The testing programme featured controlled modules, including a wet handling course, an autocross track for braking and stability assessment and high-speed freeway driving to measure ride comfort. These exercises allowed participants to directly compare the all-season Highway-Terrain Road Venture HT, intended for light trucks and SUVs, against the Crugen GT Pro, a touring tyre built for modern crossovers and larger SUVs. Kumho’s engineers also conducted an educational forum detailing the technological development of both tyres while collecting direct feedback from attendees.

The Road Venture HT, launched earlier this year, offers enhanced wet and snow traction, extended tread life and a quiet ride, and is compatible with electric vehicles. The Crugen GT Pro is engineered for heavier crossover and SUV applications, delivering premium comfort and all-weather capability with one of the highest treadwear warranties in its segment. Available in 85 sizes covering over 85 percent of the current crossover and SUV market, the Crugen GT Pro is backed by a 75,000-mile warranty for H- and V-speed ratings and a 65,000-mile warranty for W-speed models.

Kumho will conclude its 2026 Ride & Drive series with final regional events in Detroit and St. Louis later this month. The company has confirmed plans to extend the programme into 2027 and beyond, ensuring dealers and partners continue to benefit from hands-on product evaluations, technical training and direct access to Kumho’s engineering expertise.

Chris Corwin, Director of Procurement at Discount Tire & Service Centers, said, "A spec sheet has never sold a tyre to a customer standing at our counter. That is why the Kumho Tire Ride & Drive in Seattle was worth every minute. We got real seat time, instead of a sales pitch, running the all-new Crugen GT Pro and Road Venture HT back-to-back in real world scenarios. Having a seat at that table means a lot to me, and it says something about how seriously they take dealer input."

Ed Cho, CEO, Kumho Tire USA, said, “You can read all about a tyre, but nothing compares to driving it yourself, which is why KUMHO has made a significant investment in Ride & Drive events in 2026. These events give our dealers, wholesale partners and retail partners the opportunity to experience firsthand how our latest tyres perform in real-world driving situations. Whether they are evaluating braking, handling, ride comfort or overall performance, attendees can experience the differences for themselves, giving them greater confidence when recommending our products to their customers.”

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