It was only many years later that we learnt about the atrocities and the inhuman ways the natives of the Amazon Valley were subjected to by the white barons to develop exporting of natural rubber to Europe to provide the main raw material for the automotive tyre industry which was gradually evolving in to a flourishing industry. The inventing of synthetic rubber in the late 1940s and the development of SBR  due to the short supply of natural rubber from the colonies  in the East to cater for the growing demand for tyres used in the military vehicles during the Second World War and the Korean War is another episode of beyond the border commercial endeavours.

Although the word ‘globalisation’ was coined by Theodore Levitt in 1983 through an article ‘Globalisation of Markets’ which appeared in the Harvard Business Review  (May-June 1983), I feel that we should go way back in the annals of history to get an understanding of the term. This knowledge may not look attractive to the modern business world. Nevertheless, the sociologists and others of similar disciplines will certainly find such knowledge useful in comprehending the modern day socio-economic woes.

Origins of globalisation may possibly be traced back to early human migrations, presumably from the Olduvai George Gorge, a site in Tanzania that holds the earliest evidence of human ancestors. Human migration is the movement of people from one place to another, particularly different countries, with the intent of settling temporarily or permanently in the new location. It typically involves movement over long distances. The driving motive, namely seeking dominance over fellow men and exploiting the natural environment to achieve success, does not seem to have changed over the millions of years.

The emergence of the great civilisations, e.g. Indus Valley, Mesopotamia, and their subsequent decline can be attributed to globalisation. Similarly, the invasions and cross-border military conquests of historical fame (or notoriety) such as that of Alexander the Great and colonisation by the West for the exploitation of natural wealth in Asia, Africa and South America reveals an ugly facet of globalisation.

The Silk Route interlinking East Asia and Southeast Asia with South Asia, Persia, the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa and Southern Europe, on the other hand, was central to the economic, political, cultural and religious interactions between these regions form 2nd century BCE to the 18th century.

The industrialisation and expansion of business and commerce across countries during the past 300-plus years was fuelled by the four industrial revolutions, or waves as some prefer to identify them, namely steam power, conveyor system, computers and digitalisation. The process is continuing to the unforeseeable future with new knowledge and innovations fuelling the globalisation.

The multifaceted nature of globalisation has commonly been identified into eight types as shown below:

•           Political Globalisation

•           Social Globalisation

•           Economic Globalisation

•           Technological Globalisation

•           Financial Globalisation

•           Cultural Globalisation

•           Economic Globalisation

•           Geographical Globalisation

My intention is not to delve in to a discussion about the pros and cons of globalisation, which has been comprehensively documented, but to highlight on some key aspects from this part of the world, especially of the Asian subcontinent.

Knowledge dissemination across border, in my view, is the single most important factor associated with globalisation. This appears common to all the above types of globalisation. The dissemination of the Buddhist doctrine by the great Emperor Asoka to countries spreading from the far East to the Central Asia and Middle East including the present Sri Lanka during 3rd century BCE is one of the earliest recorded instances of globalisation.

Countries with long histories going back to 3,000 to 4,000-plus years, such as India, China and Sri Lanka, possessed a vast knowledge base ingrained in the social consciousness. This appears to have significantly influenced the philosophical and intellectual thought of the Greek and Persian periods. Unfortunately, a major part of this knowledge has been eroded through the influence of the West, which started around the 16th century. One good example of this knowledge found in the ancient irrigation knowledge of Sri Lanka is the engineering  marvel of a gradient of 1 inch per mile in an ancient canal about 87 km long,  built to connect two man-made reservoirs in the 5th century AD. Similarly, India and Sri Lanka possessed a vast indigenous knowledge base in medicine, astrology, architecture, agriculture, irrigation and astrology, and it is somewhat unfortunate that this knowledge has not been adequately globalised. The only significant inroads are seen in tourism. But that too are based on the western norms.

On the other hand, we have acquired a vast knowledge from the industrialised countries on modern management thoughts and technologies which have enabled industrialisation and improvement in living conditions of the populace. In this era of interdependency, a country cannot afford to ignore the technologies which are necessary to maintain a suitable level of competitiveness internationally. However, if this is accomplished at the expense of ignoring the inherent social and cultural foundations, the long-term adverse consequences would be disastrous and unimaginable.

The adverse long-term consequences of the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides and the global addiction to pharmaceuticals are already seen physically and socially in practically all the countries, especially the so called underdeveloped or developing countries.

The aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the irreversible effects of global warming are two examples of globalisation which are affecting the mere sustenance  of mankind.

A country can immensely benefit by striving for stars through adopting modern technologies. However, the absolute importance of a strong base cannot be ignored or taken lightly. Back to a strong base and reinforcing the base lies at the core of sustainable development.

The words of Mahatma Gandhi echoing from the past reaffirm this plain truth in no uncertain terms.

“I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any.”

“What's past is prologue," a quote from William Shakespeare's ‘The Tempest’ presumes that though history is written, the future is anyone's to decide – with the knowledge gleaned from the past. (TT)

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Kimi Antonelli secured his maiden Formula 1 victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, becoming the first Italian driver to win a race since Giancarlo Fisichella in 2006. The Mercedes driver, who had already made history as the youngest-ever pole sitter, successfully converted his qualifying success into a race win. A key element of his triumph was the management of the Pirelli tyre compounds as he and the team opted for a one-stop strategy that proved highly effective.

The race began with an intense battle between the Ferraris and Mercedes, reminiscent of the season opener. However, Antonelli maintained his composure and used the restart following an early Safety Car to build a decisive advantage. While his rivals, including teammate George Russell and both Ferrari drivers, fought amongst themselves and lost precious time, Antonelli steadily extended his lead. Even after Russell managed to clear the Ferraris, Antonelli controlled the gap to secure victory, despite a minor error in the closing laps.

The Mercedes drivers executed their one-stop strategy flawlessly, starting on the medium Pirelli compound before switching to the hards under the Safety Car on lap 10. This approach was also adopted by the Ferrari duo and Oliver Bearman, who finished an impressive fifth. In contrast, Isack Hadjar employed a different tyre strategy. After a spin on the opening lap, he pitted for hards, then took advantage of the Safety Car to take another set of hards, which carried him to eighth place and valuable points for his team.

Lewis Hamilton completed the podium in third, finishing just ahead of his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. The championship now heads to Japan for the next round at the renowned Suzuka circuit in two weeks. In support race action, Emma Felbermayr claimed victory in the second F1 Academy race in China, moving to the top of the standings ahead of Alisha Palmowski, who finished second ahead of Payton Westcott.

Dario Marrafuschi, Pirelli Motorsport Director, said, “Firstly, I would like to congratulate Kimi Antonelli on his first Formula 1 victory. It has been exactly 20 years since an Italian driver last triumphed in a Formula 1 Grand Prix, and this historic moment occurred today in a race filled with overtakes and plot twists. As expected, the one-stop strategy proved to be the most effective in Shanghai, and the teams did not change their approach even when a Safety Car neutralised the race on lap nine. Instead, the pit window for those who had started on Medium was brought forward.

“The final stint on Hards for 10 drivers exceeded 45 laps, with tyres that were clearly in the final stages of their wear yet still capable of maintaining decent consistency. In fact, the winner himself set the fastest lap of the race on lap 52. Those who had chosen the white-banded compound at the start, on the other hand, had the opportunity to stay out during the neutralisation, gaining a few positions. However, it didn’t take long for rivals with fresh tyres to reclaim the top spots.”

Alpine, Haas and Racing Bulls, for example, are teams that exploited these two strategies to create different opportunities for their drivers. Soft were also used at the start, with the Red Bull drivers taking advantage of the extra grip to attempt an early getaway as the lights went out. We can conclude that all three tyre compounds proved to be valid options for devising effective race strategies.”

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NEXEN TIRE is strengthening its presence in the global replacement tyre market by introducing the N’BLUE S, a high-performance summer tyre, to emerging markets across Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Following a successful rollout in Europe, this expansion targets Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia and Australia. These regions are ideal for summer tyres due to their consistently warm climates and minimal seasonal variation, aligning perfectly with the product’s design.

The N’BLUE S features an optimised contact patch structure that lowers rolling resistance, enhancing fuel efficiency and handling. Its multifunctional compound includes evenly dispersed materials that improve wet grip, ensuring stable and safe driving on rain-soaked roads. Each tyre also bears NEXEN TIRE’s EV ROOT mark, indicating it is engineered for exceptional performance across internal combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles. As electrification accelerates globally, this versatility allows the company to serve a broader customer base with a single product line.

The tyre’s capabilities are already proven through both European replacement sales and original equipment partnerships. It has been supplied for models including the Hyundai Casper EV, Kia Niro and PV5. Building on this established credibility with automakers, NEXEN TIRE aims to deepen consumer engagement by expanding availability in the replacement market, supporting long-term growth and revenue diversification.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “The N’BLUE S represents a key strategic model for the company, upgrading its existing summer lineup while extending OE-proven technology into the replacement market. To reinforce our global revenue base, we plan to gradually expand our presence in regions with stable year-round demand for summer tyres.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Company has confirmed its tyre plant in Salem, Virginia, will permanently cease operations with effect from 18 March 2026. This decision follows consultations with the labour union, resulting in an earlier closure than anticipated. Initially, production was to be scaled back in March with a potential shutdown in July, but negotiations accelerated the timeline. The company has held discussions with suppliers and customers, assuring that the closure will not cause supply chain interruptions. Yokohama Tire Corporation, the company's US subsidiary, has coordinated these efforts. For the approximately 570 affected employees, Yokohama is providing outplacement support in cooperation with local agencies and the union.

The Salem facility began operating in the 1960s and has been part of Yokohama since the Mohawk Rubber Company acquisition in 1989. The closure stems from challenges posed by ageing equipment and outdated methods, which hinder meeting production goals focused on high-value-added premium tyres, including ADVAN and GEOLANDAR brands, winter tyres and those sized 18 inches and larger. The company aims to strengthen output and sales of these products.

This move aligns with Yokohama Transformation 2026, the medium-term plan running from 2024 to 2026. The strategy emphasises maximising premium tyre sales while optimising production systems across the group to ensure sustainable profitability and long-term growth. The Salem plant closure directly reflects these efforts.

Despite the shutdown, United States remains one of the most important markets for Yokohama. Since establishing its US sales subsidiary in 1969, the company has expanded its production and sales network through proactive efforts. Yokohama is committed to adapting to global shifts, promoting sustainable business expansion and contributing to the US economy and society. The company continues to respond to changes in the global business environment.

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TyreSafe, UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, has issued a reminder that underinflated tyres can lead to higher fuel consumption, a concern that is especially relevant given the current geopolitical pressures on global energy markets. With pump prices beginning to climb again across the UK, motorists are being encouraged to carry out basic vehicle maintenance as a way to improve fuel efficiency.

This week, motoring organisations including the RAC and AA have urged drivers to adopt efficient driving habits and ensure their tyres are properly inflated to mitigate the impact of rising costs. Recent RAC Fuel Watch data reveals a significant increase at the pumps, with petrol climbing by approximately 4.68p per litre and diesel rising by around 8.59p per litre in just over a week, coinciding with escalating tensions in the Middle East.

According to TyreSafe, checking tyre pressures at least once a month and before longer trips is essential. Drivers should refer to the manufacturer’s recommended levels, typically listed in the vehicle handbook or on a sticker inside the driver’s door frame or fuel cap.

Many motorists may not realise that driving on underinflated tyres could be silently increasing their fuel bills. Research from The Motor Ombudsman indicates that more than half of all tyres on UK roads may be running below the ideal pressure. This increases rolling resistance, meaning the engine has to work harder to maintain normal speeds.

Even a modest drop in pressure can have an effect. A 10 percent reduction can raise fuel consumption by about two percent, adding unnecessary costs. Safety is also compromised, as a 20 percent decrease can impair handling and grip, heightening the risk of incidents. With costs rising again, a simple tyre check can support both road safety and household budgets.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “When fuel prices rise, drivers naturally look for ways to make their fuel last longer. One of the simplest things they can do is check their tyre pressures regularly. Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance, which means the vehicle has to work harder and burn more fuel just to move forward. It may seem like a small issue, but over time it can quietly add to the cost of every journey. More importantly, tyres that are not inflated correctly can reduce grip, handling and overall vehicle stability. Keeping tyres at the correct pressure isn’t just about saving fuel – it’s a critical part of staying safe on the road.”

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