JK Tyre is a pioneer in motorsports in India with the credit to transform an unorganised and casual interest in racing into organised motorsport. With the sole purpose of growing the motorsports community in India, the company’s motorsports journey began in the early 1980s when it associated with The Himalayan Rally – India’s premier international event. “Ingraining motorsports in India has always been a key priority for JK Tyre. In India, motorsport is at the key junction of going from a niche to a populous sport, with a cult following,” says Sanjay Sharma, Head – Motorsport, JK Tyre & Industries Limited.

For JK Tyre, motorsport has played a vital role in providing the most potent platform to test tyres in the most extraordinary conditions in absolute terms and to reach out to youth and demonstrate technological prowess to build the brand. Sharma further explains, “Motorsports allow us to continuously test and update our products to offer the best possible tyres for passenger or commercial vehicles. Thanks to its competitive nature, motorsporting activities also inspired us to pioneer the technology used in producing high-performance tyres capable of running in treacherous conditions and at high speeds in racing and rallies.

“More importantly, motorsport is a perfect brand-building exercise for any automobile tyre manufacturer, which allows positioning themselves as an adventurer which  connects with the youth instantly, and excelling and winning also demonstrates the effectiveness of our products. JK Tyre’s name is synonymous with motorsport, and we are committed to making India the motorsport hub of Asia and putting in place a system that is constantly unearthing fresh talent and readying drivers for the global stage.”

Legacy

The company has been associated with a multitude of big and small events happening across India every year. It has invested in motorsport programmes for budding racers interested in taking up motorsport as a career. Today, JK Tyre is present in all the verticals of motorsport, from karting, racing, time-speed-distance navigational events, national and international rallying to 2-wheeler racing, truck racing and off-roading coupled with experiential events and expeditions in the country.

JK Tyre’s National Karting Championship has been running successfully for over 15 years. “Our National Karting Championship is serving as a breeding ground for budding racers. Jehan Daruvala, Arjun Maini, Kush Maini and Yash Aradhya, who have won laurels for the country in the international arena, have all started with us and been our national karting champions,” adds Sharma.

JK Tyre National Racing Championship is the longest-running racing championship in the country, which is in its 24th successive year. It was also the first company to acquire the FIA accredited series Formula BMW and rechristened it as the JK Racing Asia Series, which ran as a support race across F1 tracks in Asia and Europe. Subsequently, the company introduced the series as part of its National Racing Championship as JK Euro Cup to give the Indian racers a chance to race in the FIA accredited Formula 3 cars on their home turf. 

The company was one of the inaugural partners of the franchise based X1 Racing League in 2019 and partners of Racing Team India for its debut at Asian Le Mans 2021. “We have been leading in the Indian National Rally Championship with our ace driver, Arjuna Awardee and also our brand ambassador Gaurav Gill winning the coveted title for the seventh time,” adds Sharma.

According to Sharma, back then, the country lacked the infrastructure required for motorsports, and JK Tyre has been actively developing world-class infrastructure. “To nurture and mentor young talent, we have put together a step by step motorsport progression ladder for budding enthusiasts. We encourage young talent in our karting championships post. They graduate to race in the Indian make Formula 4 cars and then further move to Formula 3 cars in the JK Tyre National Racing Championship. After that, they go on to compete in major international events on a global stage. For this, we also introduced India’s first motorsport academy to foster the spirit of young racers,” elaborates Sharma.

Grooming New Breeds

Currently, JK Tyre has the best grid of rally drivers in the Indian National Rally Championship. Along with Indian rally ace Gaurav Gill’s expertise, the company has kickstarted a Rally Academy where Gaurav himself mentors its team of rally drivers.

“An important part of our goal when we became involved with motorsport was to develop the sport and support its sportsmen, and not just use it for product development. Today, we are proud to state that 90 percent of Indians flying the national flag globally are in one way or other have been a part of the JK Tyre development programme. When the Indian National Anthem plays on an international podium, it is indeed a proud moment for us,” says Sharma.

Tyre Test On Racing Turf

For JK Tyre, motorsport is essential in tyre development as it provides an organic testing ground for its products. The conditions in motorsports are not simulated and prove effective in comprehending actual results on the ground, without parameters and conditionalities.

 Motorsport drivers have a more diverse range of needs for their tyres, challenging to meet and balance the off-road rally events tyres on the track. Racing events are different and call for different tyre design approaches. Major performance expectations from tyres are extremely good longitudinal grip for quick braking and acceleration and excellent lateral grip for sharp cornering. They must be robust enough to operate in different terrains and on various surfaces without any punctures and structural damage. These requirements push tyre designers to the limits and constantly make designers think out of the box. “To meet the performance requirements of motorsport tyres, unique tyre pattern designs, constructions and compounds have to be developed. Few of these designs and compounds are horizontally deployed in commercial tyres as well to enhance the performance,” says Sharma.

 Gaining Popularity

Sharma thinks that motorsport is gaining traction in India. He adds that while cricket remains the preferred sport, motorsport still is the second most-watched sport in India. “Motorsport is a unique combination of man and machine. And with technology advancing, the sport also has seen much advancement in the country. In the last 10 years, the way progress has been made is almost at par with the world. The Indian motorsports industry has grown multifold over the past few years and will continue on this growth path in the future as well. With increasing participation in international rallies and events, the country’s role in global motorsports has never been this recognised.

“From Khel Ratna Deepa Mallik to Padma Shri Narain Karthikeyan and from Arjuna Awardee Gaurav Gill to Pradhan Mantri Bal Puruskar awardee Yash Aradhya, they are all standing examples of motorsport getting its due recognition. Over the years, we have seen many auto and auto ancillary manufacturers use this platform in one way or another, either by participating in the sport or using it to test their products. In any case, the industry participation is unparallel to any other sport,” explains Sharma.

Women In Motorsports

Sharma claims Initiatives of JK have encouraged the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) to focus on women in motorsport. Today in India, there is a commission that only concentrates on women in motorsport with its principal supporter JK Tyre. Over the years, JK Tyre has also played a proactive role in encouraging women to take to the sport, and its efforts have yielded satisfying results.

“JK Tyre adopted FIA’s highly successful initiative: the Girls on Track (GoT) programme, to spread awareness at the grassroots level and encourage girls to come to the race track and take to the sport. The event attracted a huge number of entries from young girls from across the country,” adds Sharma.

Sneha Sharma and Mira Erda emerged from JK Tyre’s karting programmes and are now competing in international formula racing. In fructification of these efforts, the JK Tyre National Racing Championship also features an all-women’s motor racing team. In addition to this, the company has specially curated women-centric TSD events like the Times Women Drive, Defence Wives Power Drive, FICCI Flo and Rally to the valley, which are the most awaited events in the calendar. “Today, in any and every vertical of motorsport, there is almost up to 20 percent participation of women on each grid,” adds Sharma.

Going Forward

JK Tyre will continue to consolidate its partnership with motorsports across verticals and continue investing in technology and bringing India closer to world standards. “We have already seen a tremendous growth of motorsport in the past decade. However, there’s still a long way to go. We pride ourselves on our active participation in almost every vertical of motorsport event happening in the country and will continue to do so in the forthcoming years. While the pandemic may have slowed the progress, the motorsport industry will be back in action with the upcoming seasons to look forward,” concludes Sharma.(TT)

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CEAT Ltd said it will invest up to INR 34 million in its wholly owned subsidiary Tyresnmore Online Pvt Ltd through a subscription to a rights issue, the tyre maker said in a stock exchange disclosure on Wednesday.

The company will subscribe to 27,855 equity shares in Tyresnmore, and its shareholding in the subsidiary will remain at 100 percent, CEAT said.

The investment is categorised as a related-party transaction but has been carried out on an arm’s-length basis. No regulatory approvals are required, it added.

Tyresnmore, incorporated in 2014 and based in New Delhi, sells automotive tyres, batteries and accessories, and provides fitting and wheel services. The unit reported turnover of INR 322.57 million for the year ended 31 March 2025, compared with INR 255.86 million the previous year.

The shares are expected to be allotted by 24 November 2025.

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NEXEN TIRE reported third-quarter 2025 sales of 780.7 billion won and operating profit of 46.5 billion won, the company said on Thursday, as stronger demand in Europe and South Korea helped offset the impact of item-specific tariffs in the United States.

Sales in Europe were supported by an expansion of original equipment supply for newly launched vehicles and higher demand for winter products following tighter seasonal tyre regulations. In South Korea, the company posted its highest-ever quarterly revenue, aided by peak summer demand and continued growth in its tyre rental business.

Profit margins improved from the previous quarter, helped by lower raw material costs and reduced logistics expenses, with prices for natural and synthetic rubber and the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) remaining on a downward trend.

The company has been rolling out region-specific product strategies. In South Korea, it launched the N’FERA Supreme EV ROOT in August, designed for both electric and internal combustion engine vehicles. It also brought the WINGUARD SPORT 3 winter tyre to Europe and Japan, and strengthened its U.S. high-performance line-up with the N’FERA SPORT, already supplied as original equipment to premium European carmakers. In Australia, it added the ROADIAN ATX for larger sport utility vehicles.

NEXEN TIRE is also expanding its international footprint, with new sales bases recently opened in Spain and Poland, and additional hubs planned in Southeastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

The tyre maker said it is enhancing R&D efficiency through the adoption of a High Dynamic Driving Simulator, the first of its kind in South Korea's automotive sector, allowing reduced reliance on physical prototypes and road tests. The firm also received approval for its near-term emissions reduction targets from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in September.

“The solid performance in the third quarter, even after factoring in tariff-related costs, indicates that our strategy for managing external uncertainties is yielding positive results,” CEO John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim said. “We will continue to pursue sustainable growth through product portfolio diversification and the optimisation of global production operations.”

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MAXAM is set to showcase its advanced agricultural tyre solutions at Agritechnica 2025 in Hannover from 9 to 15 November. Visitors can find the company at Stand A04 in Hall 20, where the exhibition theme ‘More Pull. Less Fuel’ will guide the presentation. This philosophy underscores the company's dedication to developing tyres that enhance operational efficiency and contribute to more sustainable farming practices by reducing fuel consumption and soil compaction. The event provides a significant opportunity for MAXAM to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and the expansion of its product portfolio.

On display will be a range of DLG-awarded tyres, including robust models for high-horsepower tractors and versatile options for specialised implements, illustrating the company's technical breadth. Beyond presenting products, MAXAM considers the trade fair a vital meeting point for industry collaboration. It serves as a platform for direct engagement with farmers, partners and machine manufacturers, whose feedback provides invaluable, real-world insights that directly influence the future direction of product and service development, ensuring they remain precisely aligned with evolving market needs.

As a part of SAILUN Group, one of the 10 largest tyre manufacturers in the world, MAXAM leverages its extensive international presence and collaborative research initiatives to drive continuous innovation. The company is dedicated to advancing agricultural tyre technology, creating sophisticated solutions that directly address the evolving demands of modern farming. This focus encompasses critical areas such as enhanced sustainability, improved cost-efficiency and superior field performance.

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Cabot Corporation reported lower quarterly earnings, as weaker demand in its Reinforcement Materials segment and softer volumes in Performance Chemicals weighed on results. However, the company ended fiscal 2025 with solid cash flow and continued shareholder returns.

For the fourth quarter ended 30 September, Cabot posted net income of USD 43 million, or USD 0.79 per share, compared with USD 137 million, or USD 2.43 per share, in the same period a year earlier.

Full-year diluted earnings per share were USD 6.02, while adjusted earnings per share rose 3 percent year-on-year to USD 7.25.

“I am very pleased with another strong year of Adjusted EPS growth where we achieved USD 7.25, up 3 percent year over year, in a year with a challenging macroeconomic backdrop,” said Sean Keohane, Cabot’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “This performance was driven by higher EBIT in our Performance Chemicals segment, which increased 18 percent year over year, partially offset by EBIT in our Reinforcement Materials segment, which declined 5 percent.”

Cabot’s revenue for the quarter fell to USD 899 million from USD 1.0 billion a year earlier, while full-year sales declined to USD 3.7 billion from USD 4.0 billion.

The Boston-based speciality chemicals manufacturer said fourth-quarter cash flow from operations totalled USD 219 million, enabling USD 64 million in shareholder returns through dividends and share buybacks. For the full fiscal year, Cabot generated USD 665 million in operating cash flow, funding USD 274 million in capital investments, USD 96 million in dividend payments and USD 168 million in share repurchases.

Keohane said the company’s balance sheet remained strong, with a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 1.2 times, providing flexibility to invest in growth while continuing to return capital to shareholders.

The company’s Reinforcement Materials segment reported a USD 4 million decline in EBIT from the prior-year quarter, reflecting lower volumes in the Americas and Asia Pacific, partly offset by cost efficiencies. Global volumes fell 5 percent, including a 7 percent drop in the Americas, where lower tyre production by customers was attributed to increased Asian tyre imports.

Performance Chemicals EBIT decreased USD 2 million year-over-year, mainly due to a 5 percent drop in volumes led by weaker demand in Europe, particularly from construction-related applications.

Cabot ended the quarter with  percent 258 million in cash and spent percent 64 million on capital expenditures. The company recorded a 55 percent effective tax rate in the fourth quarter and an operating tax rate of 27 percent for fiscal 2025.

Looking ahead, Keohane cautioned that market conditions remain challenging, particularly in the Reinforcement Materials sector. “We do not yet see signs of improvement in the external environment, particularly as it relates to regional demand trends in Reinforcement Materials due to the impact of elevated Asian tire imports into western regions,” he said.

The company anticipates improvement in Performance Chemicals, led by growth in battery materials and infrastructure-related applications, while maintaining strong cash flow to support investment and shareholder returns.

“While market conditions remain challenging, we continue to execute on our foundation of commercial and operational excellence, and we remain focused on managing costs, strengthening operations, and positioning the company for long-term growth,” Keohane said.

In fiscal 2025, Cabot also announced an agreement to acquire Bridgestone Corporation’s reinforcing carbons plant in Mexico and released its 2024 Sustainability Report, noting it had achieved 11 of its 15 sustainability goals ahead of schedule and established new 2030 targets.

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