The Rubber Board announced a new insurance scheme designed to provide financial protection for rubber plantation workers in the unorganized sector.

The programme will cover rubber tappers, workers in Tappers’ Groups, and self-tapping growers with rubber areas up to one hectare. Eligible participants must be between 18 and 59 years old and have at least one year of work experience.

The insurance scheme offers comprehensive coverage, including INR 1,00,000 for normal death, INR 5,00,000  for death by accident or wild animal attack, and INR 2,00,000 to 4,00,000 for complete disability resulting from accidents.

Beneficiaries will receive an additional amount proportional to the total premiums paid upon the scheme’s maturity. The minimum premium is INR 300, with the Rubber Board contributing INR 900 per beneficiary.

Interested workers must apply by 21 February 2025, and those previously enrolled in earlier phases must renew their policies by 10 February.

Applicants can contact the Rubber Board’s regional offices or the labour welfare division at the head office for more information.

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Vittoria has expanded its Corsa PRO Control lineup with two new wider sizes, 38 mm and 42 mm, aimed at riders who demand high performance on rough pavement, cobblestones and compact gravel. These tyres balance speed and efficiency on asphalt with enhanced comfort, grip and control on challenging terrain, positioning them as a strong option among premium bike tyres for mixed-surface riding and as a fast gravel tyre.

This size increase reflects a broader shift in road and gravel cycling, as modern endurance, all-road and gravel race bikes now offer greater tyre clearance and aerodynamic optimisation for wider rubber. High-performance wide tyres are becoming the standard for riders seeking the ideal mix of speed, comfort and traction. The Corsa PRO Control belongs to Vittoria’s premium road racing family, engineered for demanding race conditions, while the Corsa PRO serves as the all-rounder and the Corsa PRO Speed targets time trials.

Extensive lab tests and rider feedback confirm that wider performance tyres at optimised pressures deliver the best balance of rolling efficiency, comfort and control. Lower pressure improves vibration damping, grip and puncture resistance without sacrificing speed. As the market moves beyond the traditional 28–30 mm range, Vittoria introduced the 38 mm and 42 mm Corsa PRO Control to provide race-level performance on rough asphalt and compact gravel, offering a comfortable road tyre that does not compromise speed, aerodynamics or control.

The new sizes retain the proven Graphene plus Silica compound and supple 320 TPI cotton casing for consistent grip and durability across terrains. A slick centre tread keeps rolling resistance low on asphalt, while increased tread thickness boosts puncture protection. The herringbone shoulder texture enhances cornering grip, traction and stability on uneven surfaces like cobblestones, broken asphalt and gravel roads.

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TyreSafe, UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, has joined forces with Road Safety Support (RSS), a not-for-profit organisation, in a new partnership rooted in their shared dedication to evidence-led road safety. As TyreSafe nears its 20th anniversary, it views this collaboration as vital to its mission of reducing tyre-related casualties and contributing to the ultimate goal of eliminating death and serious injury on British roads.

Road Safety Support brings specialised expertise to the table, working with police, highways authorities and safer roads partnerships both domestically and overseas. Their wide-ranging services include casualty data analysis, developing enforcement strategies, supporting speed and red-light camera technology, road safety marketing and providing independent expert evidence for traffic prosecutions.

This alliance strengthens TyreSafe’s existing network among enforcement and highways bodies, allowing tyre safety education and enforcement to be better integrated with broader road safety intelligence and operational data. By combining forces, TyreSafe gains access to RSS’s analytical and enforcement expertise to create more evidence-led campaigns, while RSS and its partners benefit from TyreSafe’s deep specialism in tyre condition research and practical guidance.

Underpinning the collaboration is a mutual recognition that reducing road harm demands coordinated, multi-disciplinary action. Both organisations are committed to the Safe System approach, ensuring that safer vehicles – particularly tyres – are given equal priority alongside safer roads, speeds and people. By blending RSS’s strengths in data, enforcement and legal processes with TyreSafe’s two decades of dedicated tyre safety knowledge, the partnership aims to deliver more consistent, informed and impactful road safety outcomes.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “Tyre safety is a fundamental part of safe vehicles, yet it is still too often overlooked in the wider road safety conversation. Partnering with Road Safety Support is an important step in ensuring that tyre-related risk is better understood and addressed using robust data and real-world insight. As TyreSafe continues to work closely with police forces, highways authorities and local authorities, this partnership will help strengthen the evidence base that underpins effective enforcement, education and prevention activity.”

Emma Kelly, Development, PR and Advocacy Manager at Road Safety Support and Road Safety Support International, said, “Road Safety Support works with police forces, road safety partnerships and stakeholders to develop robust, evidence-led road safety strategies. Tyre condition plays a vital role in collision prevention, yet it can be underestimated when considering vehicle-related risk. Partnering with TyreSafe allows us to integrate specialist tyre safety knowledge into broader enforcement and safety frameworks, helping partners make more informed decisions and deliver more effective interventions.”

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Nexen Tire America recognises that with energy and fuel costs continuing to challenge drivers, many are seeking ways to maximise efficiency beyond simply altering their driving routines. While adjusting habits like reducing speed is common, the company points to several overlooked factors that can significantly affect a vehicle’s energy consumption and overall cost per mile.

A critical yet often underestimated element is the role of tyres. Rolling resistance, which is the energy needed to keep tyres moving, directly impacts fuel economy and electric vehicle range. Choosing tyres specifically engineered to minimise this resistance, such as Nexen’s N’Priz S Grand Touring All-Season, can yield noticeable improvements. However, even the best tyres require consistent care; underinflation and misalignment create excess drag that forces the vehicle to work harder, quietly eroding efficiency over time.

External vehicle modifications also play a significant part. Accessories like roof racks and cargo carriers disrupt aerodynamic flow, and even open windows at highway speeds can create more drag than using air conditioning. Driving habits themselves deserve a strategic rethink as well. Opting for a slightly longer route with fewer stops can prove more efficient than a short, start-and-stop journey. Smoother acceleration, gradual braking and coasting to a stop help conserve momentum, which is especially beneficial for regenerative braking systems in electric vehicles.

For electric vehicle owners, additional steps can further extend range. Preconditioning the cabin while the car remains plugged in reduces the strain that climate control places on the battery during travel. Combined with a conscious effort to ease off the accelerator early to maximise energy recovery through regenerative braking, these practices allow drivers to go further on every charge, complementing the efficiency gains from proper tyre selection and mindful driving.

Aaron Neumann, Head of the Nexen Tire America Tech Center, said, “There are several opportunities to improve efficiency that aren’t immediately visible to drivers. From tyre design and maintenance to subtle driving habits, these factors work together to influence how much energy a vehicle uses. By paying attention to the details, drivers can take meaningful steps toward reducing costs and getting more out of every mile.”

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Hankook Tire has claimed the top position in the latest Auto Bild manufacturer ranking, securing a dominant presence across key tyre categories. The brand’s ascent was driven by a double test win for its newly launched Ventus evo, which propelled Hankook to share first place in the summer tyre segment. In the all-season category, the company delivered a consistently strong performance, earning third place overall thanks to the Kinergy model series, which accumulated four top placements across various evaluations.

The Ventus evo made an impressive entry into the current tyre season by clinching victory in two separate Auto Bild summer tyre tests, a feat that positioned Hankook as the only manufacturer alongside one other to achieve a double win in the summer tyre manufacturer standings. This debut underscored the tyre’s seamless fit within the premium segment, with the results highlighting its capabilities across critical criteria such as wet braking and dry handling.

In the all-season arena, the Kinergy series demonstrated remarkable consistency across four distinct tests, securing Hankook’s third-place finish in the manufacturer ranking. The model line proved its reliability by delivering strong results across all relevant performance areas, including winter characteristics, further cementing Hankook’s reputation as a dependable leader in that segment.

The Auto Bild manufacturer ranking aggregates results from all tyre tests conducted during the season, assigning points based on a structured system. A test win earns six points, followed by five for an exemplary rating, three for good, two for satisfactory and one for recommended with reservations. Additional bonuses apply, with one extra point for Eco Champion recognition and two for a Green Tyre designation. Across the 2025/2026 season, a total of 67 summer tyres and 61 all-season tyres were evaluated under this framework.

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