In a significant step towards sustainable community development, Bridgestone India has partnered with the Society for Environment and Agricultural Sustainability (Sagest) to establish a women-led Nutritional Fruit Orchard Project in Sulawad Village, Dhar District, Madhya Pradesh. This innovative initiative combines environmental conservation with livelihood creation and improved nutrition for local residents.

The four-acre orchard boasts a diverse collection of more than 1,300 fruit trees representing over 15 varieties. Implemented using eco-friendly agricultural practices, the project has demonstrated remarkable success in its inaugural year, with an impressive 96 percent tree survival rate. Local women have taken leadership roles in managing the orchard, operating a nursery with 1,000 saplings, and producing organic compost and pesticides from garden waste – skills that promote sustainable agriculture while generating income opportunities. When fully mature, the orchard will provide a consistent revenue stream through fruit sales.

The project's impact extends beyond economic benefits, addressing food security through the establishment of 251 household kitchen gardens that supply families with fresh, nutritious produce. Regular educational programmes have successfully raised environmental awareness and fostered a strong sense of community ownership among participants. This holistic programme exemplifies Bridgestone's commitment to creating shared value, demonstrating how corporate-community partnerships can simultaneously advance environmental sustainability, women's empowerment and rural development. The initiative serves as a replicable model for similar regions seeking balanced ecological and socioeconomic progress.

Hiroshi Yoshizane, Managing Director, Bridgestone India, said, “True sustainability goes beyond business – it’s about empowering communities and protecting the planet. This project shows how women-led, community-driven action can create long-term impact on nutrition, livelihoods and the environment. It’s not just about planting trees; it’s about planting hope, resilience, and a better future. This initiative beautifully demonstrates how community-driven, women-led environmental action can improve nutrition, generate income and protect the planet – all at the same time.”

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In response to a recent reduction in the national Goods and Services Tax (GST), Bridgestone India has announced it will lower prices across its entire range of tyres. The new pricing, effective from 22 September 2025, will apply to all passenger and commercial vehicle products, including premium and specialty tyres. This decision ensures end-consumers will directly receive the benefit of the government's tax cut.

This proactive move is presented as a reflection of the company's foundational commitment to transparency and to fostering trust, principles it has upheld throughout its 29-year history in India. Bridgestone emphasises its alignment with national priorities, citing its ongoing investments in innovation, safety and sustainable mobility solutions. The company reiterates that its core mission remains delivering superior quality, durability and safety in its products.

Furthermore, this customer-centric initiative is designed to strengthen its valued relationships with end-users while also supporting its extensive nationwide network of dealers and distributors, thereby contributing to a more resilient and efficient mobility ecosystem for the country.

Rajarshi Moitra, Deputy Managing Director, Bridgestone India, said, “This decision by the Government reflects a forward-looking approach to strengthening the automotive ecosystem and we thank the Honourable Prime Minister and the Government for the same. Bridgestone India is proud to pass on the benefit of the GST reduction to our customers, supporting not just affordability but also encouraging sustainable and safer mobility practices.”

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Linglong Tire, a major Chinese tyre manufacturer, is investing USD 800 million to build a new advanced tyre plant in Kenya. The facility will be situated in the Mombasa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kilifi County's Mariakani area. This significant project is anticipated to generate more than 1,500 direct local jobs and substantially strengthen regional value chains, marking a pivotal step in enhancing Kenya's profile as an emerging global manufacturing hub.

The official announcement came during the Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms – Kenya Investment Forum 2025. At this event, held at Vipingo Ridge, Kenyan President William Ruto witnessed the formal signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Linglong Group and the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry. President Ruto reiterated his administration's firm commitment to establishing Kenya not just as Africa's leading investment destination but as a competitive player on the world stage.

This development finalises high-level discussions that began earlier in the year between President Ruto and Linglong's Chairman, Wang Feng. The national government has pledged its full support, promising a package of attractive incentives designed to secure investor confidence and ensure the project's success. Beyond immediate employment, the government highlights that the factory will serve as a catalyst for Kenya's broader industrialisation goals, with Special Economic Zones acting as powerful engines for economic growth and continental investment.

President Ruto said, “I was honoured to sign the agreement alongside Mr. Feng Wang, Vice Chair of Linglong Group and President & Chair of Linglong Tyres. As Kenya, and as Africa, we must cast aside the smallness of vision. We must raise our ambition to rival the very best in the world within our lifetime. This landmark project will create jobs, attract new skills, and establish Kenya as a trusted destination for world-class investments.”

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Continental is set to unveil its most advanced city bus tyre, the Conti Urban HA 5 NXT, at the Busworld Europe trade fair in Brussels. The event, anticipated to draw over 40,000 attendees, will feature the new tyre as a centrepiece of the company’s exhibit. This product represents a significant step forward in sustainable and efficient urban mobility solutions.

Constructed with up to 60 percent renewable, recycled and ISCC PLUS mass-balance-certified materials, the tyre is designed to meet the growing environmental and operational demands of fleet operators and vehicle manufacturers. Its composition incorporates natural rubber, renewable fillers and recycled materials from sources like processed scrap tyres. A major technical achievement is a 25 percent reduction in rolling resistance, which can extend the range of electric buses by up to 15 percent, enhancing their overall efficiency. Furthermore, a new tread compound boosts mileage by as much as 15 percent over its predecessor while retaining a ‘B’ wet grip rating.

The tyre’s design also prioritises noise reduction, achieving the top EU label class A for external rolling noise. Its tread pattern ensures excellent grip and braking performance, a critical feature for electric buses equipped with regenerative braking systems. As a standard feature for original equipment, the tyre comes pre-installed with the latest generation of sensors. These enable seamless integration into Continental’s ContiConnect digital management platform, providing real-time data on pressure, temperature and mileage. This connectivity facilitates predictive maintenance, reduces vehicle downtime and lowers operating costs.

Now available in size 275/70 R 22.5, the Conti Urban HA 5 NXT expands upon the existing Conti Urban HA 5 portfolio introduced in 2024, offering fleet operators a targeted and sophisticated solution for the challenges of urban public transport.

Leo Kolodziej, Head of Original Equipment Bus and Truck Tires EMEA at Continental, said, “This major industry gathering is an excellent platform to present the Conti Urban HA 5 NXT to our original equipment customers, fleet operators, transport companies and also the trade public. Our customers expect solutions that are both environmentally and economically sound – in both original equipment and the replacement business. The Conti Urban HA 5 NXT meets these expectations with a balanced concept combining resource-saving material selection, high energy efficiency and a long service life.”

Hinnerk Kaiser, Head of Product Development Bus and Truck Tires EMEA at Continental, said, “In addition to the transformation to climate-friendly local public transport, this also includes familiar challenges such as curbs, frequent traffic lights and driving in narrow streets. The externally certified lifecycle assessment shows an 11 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the previous Conti Urban HA 3 model.”

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Goodyear is executing a major expansion of its award-winning Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 line, introducing 13 new SKUs to create one of the most comprehensive all-season portfolios available. For 2025, the range will encompass an impressive 187 sizes designed to fit rim diameters from 14 to 22 inches. This strategic broadening ensures exceptional market coverage, meeting over 92 percent of demand for vehicles with 18-inch wheels and below and more than 75 percent for the growing segment of 19-inch and larger fitments, catering to a vast majority of European drivers.

The tyre's advanced engineering specifically addresses the needs of modern mobility. Its development is underscored by new original equipment (OE) approvals from premium manufacturers such as Mercedes and Renault, confirming its performance pedigree. It is particularly optimised for the latest electric and hybrid vehicles, including the Kia EV3, Mercedes C-Class, Volvo XC40 and Audi e-tron, where its low rolling resistance enhances battery range and its noise-reduction properties are critical.

Certified with the European Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, the tyre guarantees capable winter performance alongside its summer capabilities. An advanced tread pattern and a versatile compound work in unison to provide superior grip on wet, snowy and icy roads while maintaining reliable and durable dry-road handling across a wide spectrum of temperatures.

Further enhancing its value proposition, the Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 incorporates two key proprietary technologies. Goodyear SealTech is an integrated self-sealing system that can instantly and effectively seal tread punctures up to five mm in diameter, helping to maintain tyre pressure and allow continued driving until a professional inspection can be performed. Simultaneously, Goodyear SoundComfort Technology utilises a built-in foam layer to reduce transmitted interior cabin noise by up to 50 percent, significantly elevating driving refinement, a feature especially beneficial for the quiet nature of electric vehicles.

Ben Glesener, Senior Director, Technology Consumer, EMEA, Goodyear, said, “The expansion of the Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 range reflects Goodyear’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of drivers and vehicle manufacturers alike. The tyre is now available to even more vehicles in the premium segment, combining cutting-edge technologies with year-round versatility to deliver a confident and comfortable driving experience. With its recent win in the ADAC all-season tyre test, the Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 continues to prove that premium all-season tyres are a great way to enhance every journey, all year round.”

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