Continental officially opened the fourth expansion phase of its tyre plant in Hefei, China, further solidifying its commitment to the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

This expansion will increase annual production capacity to 18 million passenger and light truck tyres by 2027, representing a total investment of nearly  Euro 1 billion  at the Hefei site. In addition, 400 new jobs will be created in the coming years.

“Our latest expansion further solidifies our ‘in the market for the market’ approach. It enables us to meet the demands of our customers in the Asia-Pacific region even better. Expanding our plant in Hefei for the fourth time is a testament to our business success in these markets,” said Dalibor Kalina, Head of Continental’s replacement tyre business in the Asia-Pacific region.

A key focus of the expansion is the production of ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres, designed for enhanced driving dynamics and typically sized at 18 inches and above. This caters to the growing demand for high-performance tyres in the APAC market.

“Our Hefei plant is a cornerstone of Continental Tires’ rapid growth in China and the Asia-Pacific region. As with any project of this scale and magnitude, the Hefei plant phase 4 expansion required an extensive amount of collaboration from different parties inside and outside the company, in addition, to trust from our local partners,” said Jeff Wang, Plant Manager of the Continental tyre plant in Hefei.

Sustainability at the Forefront

The Hefei plant exemplifies Continental’s focus on sustainable and innovative manufacturing. The facility utilises advanced automation technologies, particularly in curing, ensuring a modern, digital, ergonomic, and environmentally friendly work environment.

The plant is committed to renewable energy, with solar panels on the rooftop generating 18 percent of its electricity needs (27 million kilowatt-hours per year). This dedication to sustainability is further recognised by the recent awarding of the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS to the Hefei plant.

This combination of automation and sustainability aligns with Continental’s goal of achieving complete climate neutrality across its entire value chain by 2050 while fostering safe and ergonomic workspaces.

Strengthening Continental’s APAC Presence

Since its opening in 2011, the Hefei plant has played a vital role in serving the APAC region. This latest expansion underscores Continental’s commitment to the Chinese market and the broader APAC region.

“Our Hefei plant is a cornerstone of Continental Tires’ rapid growth in China and the Asia-Pacific region,” said Jeff Wang, Plant Manager at Hefei.

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Alliance Tire Group launched what it claims is the world's largest agricultural tyre by inflation volume at this year's Farm Progress Show, as the company seeks to address growing demands from modern farming operations for higher-capacity equipment.

The IF1400/45R42 CFO Agriflex 372, featuring a 207 load rating, represents Alliance's latest effort to capture market share in the competitive grain cart segment. The tyre is designed to deliver enhanced load capacity whilst reducing soil compaction, two critical factors for large-scale agricultural operations.

The product launch comes as American farmers increasingly turn to larger equipment to improve operational efficiency amid rising input costs and labour shortages. Grain carts, which transport harvested crops from combines to storage or transport vehicles, have grown significantly in size over recent years.

Alliance's booth drew considerable attention from farmers and equipment dealers, with the company also showcasing its Agriflex+ series including the 393 XT, 377 XT, and 373 models. These VF (Very high Flexion) tyres represent the company's premium product line targeting high-end agricultural applications.

The company highlighted a significant milestone for its Agristar II product line, which has achieved one million units sold within five years of launch. Alliance supported this achievement with field demonstration data from trials conducted near Ames, Iowa, in June.

Alliance emphasised its "Whole Farm Concept" strategy at the show, positioning itself as a comprehensive solution provider across diverse agricultural operations rather than focusing solely on individual product categories.

The Farm Progress Show, one of North America's largest agricultural trade exhibitions, serves as a key platform for equipment manufacturers to introduce new products and gauge market sentiment ahead of the harvest season.

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India’s Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) has urged the government to lower the goods and services tax (GST) rate on tyres from the current 28 percent slab, stating that such a move would reduce vehicle operating costs and lower logistics expenses across the economy.

In a communication to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the industry body stated that tyres, which are taxed at the highest GST rate, should not be treated as luxury goods, given their critical role in supporting transportation, agriculture, and infrastructure. By contrast, tractor tyres attract 18 percent GST and aircraft tyres five percent.

“Tyres are indispensable to the movement of people and goods across India. Given their essential role in supporting national priorities of agriculture, logistics efficiency and infrastructure, tyres should not be treated on par with luxury goods,” said Arun Mammen, chairman of ATMA.

The association has argued that lowering GST on tyres to five percent would ease the financial burden for farmers, small traders and service providers, as well as the construction and mining industries, where tyre costs form a significant part of operating expenditure.

ATMA also raised concerns about the risk of tyre dealers accumulating unused input tax credits if GST rates are revised. To avoid working capital from being locked, it is recommended that new rates be announced swiftly and accompanied by a one-time refund of unused credits arising from rationalisation.

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In a significant step to bolster its global presence, NEXEN TIRE has announced a major international expansion with new operations across Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. This strategic initiative is designed to enhance the company's competitiveness in key markets experiencing growing demand for tyres.

With the vast majority of its revenue generated outside its home market, NEXEN TIRE is deepening its investment in critical regions. The company will establish a new European branch in Bucharest, Romania, to strengthen its position in Southeastern Europe. This location was selected to capitalise on the area's robust economic growth and will manage distribution across nine countries. Similarly, the company will form a new subsidiary in Mexico, transitioning it from US oversight to serve as an independent hub for the Latin American market. This move is a direct response to record vehicle sales and steady tyre demand in the region, with plans to extend its reach into Central American nations.

Further expanding its footprint, NEXEN TIRE will establish a subsidiary in Saudi Arabia to build upon its existing Middle Eastern operations. The company anticipates rapid market growth in Saudi Arabia driven by economic and social factors, and the new office will manage neighbouring countries while strengthening local distributor relationships. This expansion is complemented by recent growth in other areas, including new branches in Spain and Poland, as well as a vastly expanded distribution network in Australia that led to a dramatic sales increase in 2024. Through these targeted investments, NEXEN TIRE is implementing a localised strategy to improve market efficiency and customer engagement worldwide.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “A key focus of our global strategy is to build localised operating systems that respond precisely to the distribution structures and customer needs of each region. With these localisation-driven distribution strategies, we will continue to drive sustainable growth in global markets.”

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JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. has announced the 2025 edition of its Shiksha Sarthi scholarship programme. This initiative, which began in 2023, is specifically designed to support the higher education of daughters whose fathers are heavy commercial vehicle drivers, acknowledging the critical role these drivers play in the nation's economy. The programme aims to alleviate financial obstacles that frequently prevent young women from pursuing undergraduate studies.

Having already assisted over 320 beneficiaries in its first two years, the scheme is now being expanded to support 500 meritorious students across the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand. This effort is a key part of JK Tyre’s broader commitment to fostering equal opportunity and empowering the next generation of women leaders.

Administered in collaboration with Buddy4Study, the application process for the scholarship is conducted online to ensure transparency and ease of access. The Shiksha Sarthi scholarship is one component of JK Tyre’s wider corporate social responsibility programme, which includes other initiatives focused on healthcare, livelihood enhancement and environmental sustainability. These comprehensive efforts are aimed at creating a positive and lasting impact on underserved communities throughout India.

Anshuman Singhania, Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd., said, “At JK Tyre, we firmly believe that education is a powerful catalyst of social transformation. Our commercial vehicle drivers are invaluable assets to the nation, and by supporting their daughters’ education, we are honouring their contribution. With the 2025 edition of the JK Tyre Shiksha Sarthi Scholarship, we are reaffirming our commitment to ensure that no dream is left unrealised due to limited resources. Educating a girl empowers a generation and builds the foundation for a stronger, more progressive society.”

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