The Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) and Indian Motorcycle of the Year (IMOTY) awards for the year 2025 were presented by JK Tyre at the Levitas Lounge in New Delhi. Mahindra Thar Roxx won the title of Indian Car of the Year 2025, whereas the Aprilia RS 457 was unanimously selected as the Indian Motorcycle of the Year 2025.

Prominent journalists, members of the automobile community and leaders of the industry graced the occasion. Since it was ICOTY's 20th anniversary, this year's event was very noteworthy. The awardees were given their prizes by Dr Raghupati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries, ICOTY Chairman Dhruv Behl, IMOTY Chairman Kartik Ware, and distinguished jury members.

The ICOTY jury established the ‘Premium Car Award’ in 2019 to address the expanding availability, acceptability and appeal of a broad variety of luxury vehicles from different manufacturers in the Indian market. Mercedes-Benz E-Class was acknowledged as the deserving champion for 2025. Given the changing automotive industry and the government's growing emphasis on electric cars, the 'Green Car Award' was instituted in 2021 to recognise the manufacturers' contributions to the mobility of the future. The 2025 Green Car Award was given to MG Windsor.

A rigorous examination procedure was applied to the cars and motorcycles nominated for this year's ICOTY and IMOTY awards. The candidates were assessed in four categories by 28 jurors with over 400 years of combined work experience from top auto magazines. In order to identify the winners, the judges thoroughly examined each vehicle's features, taking into account elements including cost, fuel economy, design, comfort, safety, performance, usefulness, technological innovation, value for money and suitability for Indian driving conditions.

Dr Singhania said, "The ICOTY and IMOTY Awards stand as a testament to the remarkable achievements in India's dynamic automotive landscape. These esteemed accolades celebrate excellence and innovation, reflecting the industry's unwavering commitment to progress. Over the years, the Indian automotive sector has demonstrated remarkable strides, solidifying its position as a global leader. At JK Tyre, we are proud to contribute to this legacy and recognize the dedication and ingenuity that drive this industry forward.”

Behl said, “The 20th edition of ICOTY is certainly a memorable one. ICOTY, the Green Car Award by ICOTY and the Premium Car Award by ICOTY are, far and away, the most coveted awards in the Indian automotive industry. Over the past two decades, ICOTY has set itself apart as being the most credible and respected awards in the industry. The 21-member ICOTY jury has a cumulative experience of 408 years, and it’s an absolute honour for me to be Chairman of such an illustrious jury. I’d like to congratulate all the winners for bringing cutting edge technology and design to our roads in their respective segments.”

Ware said, “The 18th edition of IMOTY saw competition as tough as it's ever been. The finalists were some of the best machines India has ever seen, their capabilities ranging across the wide spectrum bookended by performance and innovation and everything in between that a motorcycle must possess. However, there can only be one winner, and the Aprilia RS 457 is a deserving one for the special feelings it brings to Indian riders. A big thanks to my fellow jury members for making my first time out as IMOTY chairman as smooth as possible. And an equally big thanks to JK Tyre for supporting IMOTY since its inception. One more fantastic motorcycle joins the ranks of IMOTY winners!”

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO – Automotive Sector, M&M Ltd, said, “We would like to thank the esteemed ICOTY 2025 jury for honouring the Mahindra Thar ROXX with this coveted award. This recognition reaffirms the global benchmarks of design, engineering and manufacturing excellence we have pursued. The Thar ROXX represents a passion for charting new adventures – an ethos that resonates with enthusiasts everywhere. We remain deeply grateful to our customers, whose love and trust continue to fuel our commitment to deliver unforgettable driving experiences.”

Diego Graffi, MD and CEO, Piaggio Vehicles Private Limited, said, “In a year graced by exceptional motorcycles, the Aprilia RS457 has emerged as a true standout. The IMOTY 2025 jury has bestowed upon the Aprilia RS457 the title of 'Indian Motorcycle of the Year’, a resounding affirmation of its unwavering commitment to speed, agility and Italian design. We are immensely proud to witness the Aprilia RS457 receive this well-deserved accolade. This recognition serves as a powerful testament to the dedication and passion exhibited by our team in crafting a motorcycle that truly embodies the spirit of Aprilia – speed, agility and Italian design.”

Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “The Long Wheelbase E-Class remains the most desirable luxury sedan for the discerning Indian luxury car customer. Highly advanced and personal than ever before, the Long Wheelbase E-Class is an unmatched combination of luxury, sheer comfort, ground-breaking technology, digital intelligence and superior driving dynamics, making it the unanimous choice as India’s most admired luxury sedan. The coveted ICOTY Premium Car of the Year is a firm testament to the Long Wheelbase E-Class’ unparalleled luxury stature in the luxury car market. I dedicate this honour to the entire Mercedes-Benz India team, who made multiple 'India-specific' enhancements to the car, making it highly suitable for the Indian conditions, exceeding even the most demanding customer requirements. The ICOTY Premium Car of the Year honour for the Long Wheelbase E-Class salutes the innovation, pioneering spirit and brand legacy that customers associate Mercedes-Benz with, inspiring us to create superior customer experience."

Rajeev Chaba, CEO Emeritus, JSW MG Motor India, said, "The MG Windsor is the right product at the right time with the right pricing and packaging. It is certainly a disruptor in the segment, redefining consumer perceptions about EVs. The strong sales momentum since its launch highlights the evolving preference of consumers. The MG Windsor ticks all the boxes of their consideration sets, especially the value for money it delivers. The MG Windsor is all the more special to us because it has been successful in debunking myths around higher acquisition cost of EVs through path breaking initiatives such as Battery-As-A-Service and lifetime battery warranty. The interplay of all these factors has helped MG Windsor to emerge as the Green Car of the Year at the coveted ICOTY 2025. I would like to thank all our customers for their unwavering support, the esteemed jury at ICOTY and everyone at JSW MG Motor India who have worked relentlessly to make this achievement possible."

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Anyline, a global leader in mobile AI and intelligent data capture technology, has stepped in to help transform how aircraft tyre inventories are managed in New Zealand, supporting logistics firm B&H Worldwide with its mobile AI and data capture tools. The technology has been woven into B&H’s existing FirstTRAC platform, targeting the unique demands of aerospace supply chains where precision and tracking are essential.

Processing times for tyre-related stock tasks have fallen by 60 percent since the system went live. Error rates have dropped sharply, landing between 80 and 90 percent, while data accuracy now sits above 99 percent. The number of tyres handled per hour has also climbed by roughly 30 percent, with warehouse teams using mobile devices to log key tyre details directly on the floor.

New Zealand was chosen as the launch pad for the global pilot, setting a template for future rollouts across B&H’s broader network. The Anyline mobile and web software development kits feed a continuous stream of live data into FirstTRAC, covering stock checks, dispatch requests and bulk uploads. That real-time visibility strengthens compliance and creates a clear digital trail for high-value assets.

For Anyline, the project shows how AI can remove friction from manual logistics work, especially in aerospace where every part must be traceable. The next site already lined up is Melbourne, marking a clear step forward in B&H’s wider push towards digitised, resilient operations.

Christoph Braunsberger, CEO, Anyline, said, “We’re proud to support B&H Worldwide in transforming a highly specialised aerospace logistics workflow with AI. This implementation demonstrates how intelligent tyre data capture can improve speed, accuracy and traceability in safety-critical operations.”

Lee Hedges, Branch Manager, B&H Worldwide New Zealand, said, “This implementation represents a significant step forward in how we manage high-value, safety-critical inventory. By introducing real-time tyre scanning, we’ve improved accuracy, speed and traceability across our operations. For our customers, it means greater visibility, faster reporting and increased confidence in the integrity of their stock.”

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Continental has emerged as the dominant force in the 2026 independent European summer tyre tests, securing 13 outright wins and 19 podium finishes across 24 evaluations conducted by leading automotive publications and mobility organisations. The results span a diverse range of tyre segments and test conditions, reinforcing the German manufacturer’s reputation for consistent top-tier performance.

The company’s tyres excelled particularly in braking, wet grip and overall balance, showing reliability across vehicle classes from sustainable products to ultra-high-performance applications. Independent testers repeatedly highlighted Continental’s strong braking performance, high levels of wet adhesion and well-rounded driving behaviour, confirming its premium ambitions.

Among the standout achievements, the PremiumContact 7 was named overall winner in the Auto Zeitung UHP summer tyre test, praised for its balanced wet and dry handling. The SportContact 7 claimed first place in the Auto Bild sportscars UHP test, recognised for precise handling and shortest braking distances. Meanwhile, the UltraContact NXT achieved a leading position in the AvD summer tyre test, proving that sustainability-focused designs can deliver strong core safety performance.

Continuous development in tread design, compound technologies and tyre construction underpins these results, allowing a blend of safety, efficiency and driving dynamics. The 2026 test season ultimately demonstrates Continental’s ability to deliver reliable top-level results across a broad portfolio and a wide range of independent evaluations.

Andreas Schlenke, Tire Expert at Continental, said, “These results confirm the consistency of our product performance across different segments and test conditions. They show that our focus on braking, wet grip and overall balance translates directly into strong results in independent testing.”

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Hankook Tire is supplying its Ventus F200 racing tyre to the HWA EVO.R sedan, competing in the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours, taking place from 14 to 17 May in Germany. Serving as the Official Technology Partner of HWA AG, Hankook is providing technical assistance throughout the race weekend with the Ventus F200 fitted to the HWA EVO.R in the open SP-X class for high-performance tuned vehicles. The racing slick is engineered for dry conditions and aims to deliver stable performance under extreme endurance racing demands.

Recognised globally in motorsport, the Ventus F200 incorporates advanced compound technologies that enhance driving performance and achieve roughly a 10 percent weight reduction over its predecessor. The tyre offers strong grip, high-speed stability and precise handling under demanding race conditions. HWA AG, founded by former Mercedes-AMG Co‑Founder Hans Werner Aufrecht, is a noted global motorsport engineering company specialising in high‑performance vehicle development.

This collaboration expands an existing strategic partnership, following Hankook’s original equipment tyre supply for the limited‑production HWA EVO last year. Hankook currently provides several ultra‑high‑performance OE products for that model, including the Ventus evo Z, Ventus evo and Winter i*cept evo3. Moving forward, Hankook plans to strengthen its premium brand competitiveness by deepening cooperation with HWA AG in both OE and motorsport sectors.

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HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS has secured a place on the Dow Jones Best-in-Class (DJ BIC) Korea Index for three years running, marking consistent recognition from the S&P Global benchmark for corporate sustainability. This index, released by a major global financial information provider, is known as a highly trusted gauge of ESG performance. Membership is limited to the top 30 percent of companies per industry, drawn from the two hundred largest listed firms in South Korea by market value.

In a related achievement, the company also appeared in S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook 2026 for the second straight year. The latest assessment reviewed over 9,200 businesses across 59 industries worldwide, and HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS earned a Yearbook Member designation by placing within the top fifteen percent of its global industry.

To drive these results, the firm has built an ESG framework on four pillars: Zero Fatality for safety, Zero Emission for carbon reduction, Zero Waste for circular resource use and Zero Impact for stakeholder accountability. Senior management directly oversees a Sustainability Management Committee and specialised subcommittees, ensuring that ESG strategies are implemented across the entire organisation to boost corporate value.

Jim Jindal Lim, CEO, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS, said, “Our inclusion in DJ BIC Korea for three consecutive years and our second consecutive listing in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook demonstrate that HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS has consistently implemented meaningful changes for sustainable management. We will continue strengthening our response to climate change and enhancing our corporate social responsibility.”

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