The 18th edition of Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) and Indian Motorcycle of the Year (IMOTY), promoted by JK Tyre since its inception, concluded in New Delhi. The awards ceremony was attended by leading businessmen, automobile fanatics and visionaries.

The awards were presented by Dr Raghupati Singhania, Chairman and Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries Limited, along with Dhruv Behl, Chairman, ICOTY 2023; Bertrand Dsouza, Chairman, IMOTY 2023 and other jury members. Steered by a group of veteran and eminent jury members, the entries were judged on the basis pf multiple customer-centric criteria, such as vehicle price, fuel efficiency, styling, comfort, safety, performance, practicality, technical innovation, value for money and suitability for Indian driving conditions, while deciding on the winner and conferring the awards, claims JK Tyre.

Recognised for its speed, mileage and strong performance, KIA Carens was adjudged the ‘Indian Car of the Year 2023’, claims JK Tyre, while Royal Enfield Hunter was awarded the ‘Indian Motorcycle of the Year 2023’. Catering to the increasing popularity, acceptance and availability of a vast range from various manufacturers of the premium car category in the Indian market, the ICOTY jury instituted ‘Premium Car Award’ under the ICOTY aegis in 2019. According to JK Tyre, Mercedes EQS 580 won the Premium Car Award 2023. With the growing popularity of electric vehicles and strong initiatives undertaken by the government, the jury of ICOTY introduced the Green Car Award in 2021, with an objective to recognise the contribution of manufacturers towards the future of mobility. KIA EV6 was awarded the Green Car Award 2023, states JK Tyre.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr Singhania said, “I would like to congratulate all the winners for making the best in the segment and honouring the excellence in the automotive industry. ICOTY and IMOTY are the most integral part of the Indian auto industry as they bring innovation to the industry. The foundation of JK Tyre stands for innovation, development, growth, technology and transparency, and these awards are the testimony of brilliance. I am sure it has been a rewarding and successful journey for everyone and this will continue to be so for years ahead. These awards motivate us all to come together and make the Indian auto industry renowned globally.”

On winning the Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) and Green Car Award 2023, Tae-Jin Park, Managing Director and CEO, Kia India, said, “It’s a proud moment for all of us at the Kia family. We are absolutely elated to be awarded with not one but two prestigious ICOTY honours – Kia Carens won the coveted ‘Indian Car of the Year’ and our flagship EV, the EV6, won the laurel as ICOTY ‘Green Car of the Year’ award for 2023.We are thankful to the esteemed ICOTY jury members for this recognition. We would also like to thank the sponsors, JK Tyre, for their commitment to helping recognise the best from automobiles year on year. This is a well-deserved recognition for brand Kia and speaks volumes for our technological prowess, capabilities and understanding of the Indian market. It is a true reflection of our successful journey in India and a great motivation for us to keep working and contributing towards an inspiring tomorrow.”

On winning the Indian Motorcycle of the Year Award, Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director and CEO, Eicher Motors, said, “This is our third award in five years, and we are delighted to have won this. We thank the jury and JK Tyre for recognising us. Making motorcycles, spending time with riders and most importantly, riding them ourselves over the years, we really understood what it takes to make a lovely motorcycle for people who love motorcycling. The Hunter is our most accessible motorcycle in this range, and we are very happy at the love it has received.”

On winning the Premium Car Award 2023, Santosh Iyer, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “The Made in India EQS 580 is a benchmark for sustainable luxury motoring. The very fact that it’s India’s first locally manufactured luxury EV also highlights the global competencies of our colleagues producing this car at Mercedes-Benz India. We are delighted that our customers’ preferred choice for the most advanced luxury EV in India is also adjudged as the luxury car of the year at ICOTY.”

Congratulating the ICOTY award winners, Behl said, “ICOTY has grown to become the most coveted award in India, as the leading experts in the automotive media all come together to pick the absolute best in the industry. We assess which vehicles have the most impact and which are the most suitable for the Indian market. The KiaCarens, Kia EV6 and Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 are each cutting-edge and truly put the Indian customer in the driver’s seat.”

Sharing his thoughts, Dsouza said, “In 2023, Indian motorcycles were oddly contested, it was a very tough competition. What is interesting to see is that most of the contenders were not entirely meant for the commuter segment, and this proves that motorcycling in India has matured – niche segment, niche purposes for a very niche enthusiastic audience, that’s what has defined IMOTY 2023.”

Bridgestone will supply tailored-made tyres for Lamborghini’s Huracán STO, which will be launched in 2021.

Bridgestone ensured the high-performance tyre can maximise the Huracán STO’s traction, handling, control, and extreme overall performance.

Key to the tyre’s success in maximising the super sports car’s performance is the combination of pattern and cavity design. The Potenza tyres apply an asymmetric tread design for enhanced steering response and cornering stability, and an internal crown structure that distributes footprint pressure evenly when cornering.

As well as the road-focused, custom-developed Potenza fitment, Bridgestone will also be providing a track-oriented, road-homologated version of the tyre that applies “race” technologies to maximise the vehicle’s track performance, especially in dry conditions.

Steven De Bock, VP Consumer Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said, “It’s been a pleasure for our team to work so closely with Lamborghini for the first time, and on such an exciting project. The Huracán STO is an incredible piece of engineering that deserves a custom tyre that can fulfill its full potential. I can proudly say that Bridgestone has delivered such a high-performance tyre. It has been fantastic for the team to have worked on a project that is at the forefront of technology in so many ways.”

Hankook, one of the major global tyre brands, has started testing and development operations at its new ultra modern facility in Spain.

The testing facility has been set up on the premises of the Applus+ IDIADA Group and can also cater to European premium car manufacturers that have their own demanding tyre tests. The facility is completely automated and will host a 20-member team from the Spanish testing centre, which is affiliated to the Hankook Europe Technical Centre.

Klaus Krause, Head of European Research and Development Centre, said, "With the further expansion of our testing capacities in Spain, we are reaching the next level together with our local partner Applus+ IDIADA."

He also added, "We are confident that the newly installed testing facilities in particular will significantly improve our efforts to provide the best tyre testing conditions and services to our employees and customers. In addition, we will also be able to conduct significantly more tests on site." (TT)

ASCENSO introduced a construction tyre - BLB 730- which is used for boom lift vehicles used in construction and other industries. It comes with several features that cater to the unique needs of aerial lifting equipment.

The BLB 730 tyre is available in different sizes to fit various boom lift vehicles. This range of sizes provides versatility and compatibility with different types of aerial lift work platforms.

“ASCENSO's BLB 730 tyre is a significant advancement in specialised equipment for the construction industry. It focuses on load capacity, stability, traction, and durability to improve the performance and safety of boom lift vehicles. Whether working at heights or manoeuvring on tough terrains, this tyre offers reliability and durability for efficient operations,” said the company in a statement.

The BLB 730 tyre is built to handle heavy loads and stabilise boom lift vehicles. It has solid lugs and a more extended shoulder design, which ensures good traction and prevents slipping during operation. This is important for safely carrying heavy weights at high elevations. ASCENSO has used a special rubber compound in making the BLB 730 tyre, making it durable and long-lasting, resulting in less downtime and more productivity on construction sites.

To make the tyre even better, the company has optimised its inner volume to reduce tyre fill consumption, reducing the risk of tyre punctures, minimising the need for maintenance, and keep the vehicles running smoothly.

Falken Tyre Europe is an official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 partner for the upcoming tournament, the company has announced. The tournament is taking place at nine venues in Sweden and Poland from 11-29 January, 2023. Falken Tyre claims that the partnership was organised by the sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE. SPORTFIVE is responsible for exclusive marketing and media rights for all IHF World Championships until 2031.

Falken Tyre claims that this is its second agreement with the International Handball Federation. In addition to title and logo rights (Official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 Partner), the company has also secured advertising rights, including the Falken logo in each goal and centre circle of the courts, as well as the presence of Falken branding in the official tournament social media communications and print materials. According to Falken Tyre, this is complemented by 30-second video ads that will be shown on the big screens in the nine sports halls before the start of each match and at half-time.

Sharing his views, Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer at SPORTFIVE, said, “With Falken, the IHF World Handball Championships have secured a great partner who is positioned with far-reaching influence in the relevant core markets. We are delighted to have been able to bring two global partners together for one of the most exciting sporting events of next year.”

Markus Bögner, COO and President of Falken Tyre Europe GmbH, explained, “Handball isn’t just of great importance in Europe, but all over the world, which has led us to partake in this top-level tournament once again. The fact that the international tournament is taking place in countries that are among our core markets is another great reason for our involvement. We can also look back on a long partnership with our colleagues at SPORTFIVE, who always offers us excellent opportunities that are an excellent fit for the Falken brand, which stands for enthusiasm, performance and achievement.”