Cooper Tire will open its manufacturing plants, which had been closed for around five weeks thanks to COVID-19, in the US and Serbia this week.

U.S. plant locations include Findlay, Ohio; Clarksdale and Tupelo, Mississippi and Texarkana, Arkansas. Cooper’s plant in Serbia is located in Kruševac. The company’s plant in Melksham, England remains temporarily closed. The company Chinese plants had started in China in Mid-Feb.

However, terming Cooper’s manufacturing plant as a ‘ non-essential business’, the Mexican government has instructed the US tyre company to close its plant in the country starting from April 28. Cooper Tire has reopened the plant on April 13 it had been temporarily closed due to coronavirus and its impacts. Cooper Tire added that it will monitor the situation and prepare to reopen as soon as appropriate.

Cooper’s distribution centers around the globe continue to operate and flow product to customers.

The US tyre company said it has put comprehensive safeguards for its employees.

Michelin, the world’s leading tyre technology leader, has opened its new Michelin Tyre Service (MTS) store in Navi Mumbai.

Located at Sector 6 in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, the new store will be managed by NX Sanghi Tyres. Apart from offering passenger cars tyres from multiple brands, the 2,000-square-feet facility will also provide services such as wheel alignment, wheel balancing and nitrogen air refilling. The launch is in line with Michelin India's dedication to providing unparalleled performance and durability while improving consumer convenience and safety.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said; "Reaffirming Michelin India’s commitment to delivering premium tyre solutions and services to our customers, the NX Sanghi Tyres MTS store in Navi Mumbai represents a significant step forward. This store embodies our commitment to premium quality, sustainability and enhancing mobility experiences for Indian consumers. Coupled with our ongoing manufacturing expansion in Chennai, it reflects our dedication to meeting India’s evolving mobility needs."

Sentury Tire, a leading Chinese manufacturer of tyres for cars and aviation, has officially started production at its new tyre manufacturing facility in Morocco.

Located near Tangier, the new plant began operations on 30 September with a target of an annual production of six million tyres. The occasion was marked by a commissioning ceremony where the first batch of tyres rolled off the production line in the presence of Chairman Qin Long.

The company invested approximately EUR 360 million, which was initially allocated for a plant in Spain, towards the construction of the Moroccan facility.

Severgroup, owned by Russian billionaire businessman Alexey Mordashov, has acquired the Cordiant group of companies, one of Russia's leading manufacturers of tyres, auto components, thermal equipment and power tools.

As per the purchase agreement, Severgroup now owns the rights to the diverse portfolio of brands owned by the Cordiant group of companies., Severgroup now has rights to the diversified portfolio of brands of the Cordiant group of companies, which include Cordiant, Tunga, Torrero and Gislaved in the line of passenger car tyres; Cordiant Professional and Tyrex in the line of truck tyres and Meteor Auto, Meteor Thermo and Meteor Tech in other products.

Wabash, a leading supplier of connected solutions for the transportation, logistics and distribution industries, has renewed its strategic agreement with the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, one of the world’s largest tyre companies.

The agreement is expected to further strengthens Goodyear’s position as the preferred tyre supplier for Wabash's van, tank and platform trailers, and will also provide Wabash customers with full-service tyre management support.

Richard Mansilla, Vice-President, global supply chain at Wabash, said, “We are excited to continue our long-standing relationship with Goodyear. This agreement strengthens our supply chain with a premium brand, enhances customer support and contributes to the continued growth of the Wabash ecosystem. We look forward to building on our shared commitment to industry innovation and exceptional service.”

For over 15 years, Goodyear has been the equipping Wabash with tyres for its trailer product lines.

Joe Burke, Vice-President of Goodyear’s North America Commercial business, said, “Goodyear's collaboration with Wabash underscores our combined focus to deliver high-quality, innovative products and seamless, end-to-end services to van, tank and platform trailer customers. We are excited to continue advancing solutions that enhance the Wabash customer experience and help ensure they carry their cargo with confidence.”