Indian tyre manufacturer grapples with Mexico subsidiary challenges whilst accelerating capacity investments and EV market push

JK Tyre and Industries Ltd is confronting significant trade headwinds in its Mexican operations whilst pressing ahead with ambitious expansion plans and positioning for India’s electric vehicle revolution, senior management revealed recently during the company’s quarterly review.

The Delhi-based manufacturer’s Mexican subsidiary, JK Tornel, has been severely impacted by uncertainty surrounding US trade policies. Management acknowledges operational disruptions despite recent clarifications on tariff structures.

Tariff Turbulence Hits Mexico Operations

According to Arun K Bajoria, Director and President International, JK Tornel faced considerable challenges throughout the financial year as shifting US trade policies created market uncertainty.

“There was complete uncertainty in Mexico, supplying to the US because of the Trump tariff; there was no certainty and every time, the dates were sort of getting shifted,” Bajoria explained. “So there was a complete uncertainty in the minds of the customers based in the USA.”

The Mexican subsidiary, which derives approximately 60 percent  of its revenue from domestic markets with the remainder split between exports to the United States and Latin American countries, has been forced to recalibrate its strategic focus.

“Our strategy now is increasing our sales to the domestic market, that is number one, and also to Brazil market and then to Latin American markets,” Bajoria said, outlining the company’s response to trade uncertainties.

Recent policy clarifications have provided some relief, with automobile tyres continuing to benefit from zero-duty exports from Mexico to the United States. However, management acknowledged that customer confidence remains fragile.

“This clarification has been ascertained recently. So, the on-the-ground in terms of the US customers is still sleeping in, and we have communicated the notifications, etc., to them,” Bajoria noted.

Major Investment Programme Gathers Pace

Despite external challenges, JK Tyre is accelerating its capacity expansion with ongoing projects worth INR 14 billion across passenger car radial (PCR), truck and bus radial (TBR), and all-steel light truck radial segments.

Managing Director Anshuman Singhania confirmed that capacity utilisation levels remain high across all plants. The company operates 11 manufacturing facilities globally and produces over 35 million tyres annually.

“The projects which we have already been implementing are on track, and we will have the capacities available from these projects in this financial year 2026,” said Chief Financial Officer Sanjeev Agarwal, indicating capital expenditure of approximately INR 9 billion planned for the current fiscal year.

In Mexico, a separate US$27 million passenger car radial expansion project is progressing. It specifically targets larger rim size tyres to enhance revenue and profitability potential.

Electric Vehicle Market Push Intensifies

The company is aggressively positioning itself in India’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle segment, where it has established dominant market positions across multiple categories.

“We enjoy almost 70 percent market share across all OEMs. We are also supplying tyres in the replacement market,” Singhania said, highlighting supply relationships with leading manufacturers, including Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland’s Switch Mobility, JBM, and Eka Mobility.

The electric bus segment currently contributes 7 percent of India’s total bus industry, with projections indicating growth to 10 percent driven by government policy interventions. In the last-mile connectivity segment for small commercial vehicles, JK Tyre commands a 50 percent market share with Tata Motors’ electric variant.

The company is also expanding its presence in the two—and three-wheeler electric segment, supplying prominent manufacturers such as Ola Electric, Ather, and Pure Electric.

“By 2030, we are estimating around 1.33 million units, which amounts to 20 percent of the passenger vehicle production in the country,” Singhania projected for electric passenger vehicles.

Strategic Market Response

Management indicated that raw material price stabilisation is providing operational relief, and despite ongoing global volatility, the company expects continued stability over the coming quarters.

The company’s diversified geographical footprint, with subsidiary operations including Cavendish Industries contributing significantly to consolidated performance, is helping mitigate regional market challenges.

“We believe the US tariff in the medium to long term is unlikely to have a significant impact on the auto sector and the tyre industry,” Singhania said, expressing confidence in the company’s strategic positioning despite near-term uncertainties.

The ongoing scheme of amalgamation between subsidiary AIL and JK Tyre has received regulatory approval from SEBI and awaits final clearance from the National Company Law Tribunal, which is expected to further streamline operations.

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Dunlop Motorcycle Europe has strengthened its position in the urban mobility sector by launching the ScootSmart 2, a new all-season scooter tyre engineered to enhance grip, handling and durability under a variety of city riding conditions. The tyre is designed for riders who depend on their scooters for daily transportation, from short commutes to longer journeys through metropolitan areas.

Building on the original ScootSmart introduced in 2012, which gained a strong reputation among scooterists for reliable all-weather performance and longevity, the second-generation model addresses the evolving needs of modern riders. Dunlop has incorporated its sport touring expertise into the ScootSmart 2, blending advanced motorcycle tyre technologies with a design specifically tailored for scooters. The tyre features a new high silica compound that improves traction across a wide range of temperatures and road surfaces, including wet and dry conditions, while preserving mileage performance.

An all-new tread pattern distinguishes the front and rear tyres for specific handling benefits. The front tyre includes a jagged centre groove to cut through surface water and reduce braking distances, with main grooves oriented for effective water dispersion at intermediate speeds. Secondary grooves and shoulder tread elements boost grip on slippery surfaces. At the rear, a continuous tread centre supports wear resistance and dry-road traction, while the groove layout maintains wet-weather grip. Dunlop’s internal testing indicates a 10 percent reduction in wet braking distance compared to the previous version, marking a clear safety improvement.

ScootSmart 2 offers extensive size coverage for a broad range of scooters, from lightweight city models and retro designs to high-end performance maxi scooters. The lineup will ultimately include 75 sizes covering rim diameters from 10 to 16 inches, accounting for roughly 84 percent of the scooter market. Availability across Europe begins in the second quarter of 2026, with the full range arriving in the fourth quarter of that year.

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, said, “With the introduction of ScootSmart 2, Dunlop builds on the proven success of ScootSmart to deliver a clear step forward in performance for today’s scooter riders. The tyre offers stable and well-balanced handling, even for the most demanding riders with a more spirited riding style. Urban riding is full of contrasts. ScootSmart 2 is designed to handle all of them, and our broader launch campaign brings that idea to life in a way that feels dynamic, with playful assets that resonate with the needs of riders in cities, always ready to stop and go.”

Dmitri Talboom, Product Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, said, “In developing ScootSmart 2, we set out to build on a product that already had a very strong reputation among scooter riders across Europe. We have combined expertise from our sport touring products with a design tailored to optimise urban riding, and have achieved marked improvements in wet grip, braking and handling. The end result is a tyre that gives supreme all-round performance while also delivering the versatility that is essential for everyday use across sporty, classic, high-end performance and commuter scooters.”

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Cooper Tires has strengthened its product offering in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region with the introduction of the Cooper Summer tyre range. This newly launched portfolio is specifically designed for passenger car and sport utility vehicle drivers seeking dependable, no-nonsense performance across a broad spectrum of summer road conditions. The lineup is purpose built without unnecessary frills, focusing squarely on reliable everyday driving.

The Cooper Summer range spans the ultra-high-performance, high-performance, and sport utility vehicle segments, delivering a balanced driving experience where it matters most. Key engineering priorities include energy efficiency, confident braking on wet surfaces and extended tread life. Every tyre in the lineup is engineered to maintain grip consistently over time, ensuring that vehicles can handle daily demands without sacrificing safety or longevity.

This product launch coincides with the rollout of Cooper Tires’ refreshed global brand identity, which draws on over a century of proven durability. The new visual branding underscores the company’s longstanding commitment to rugged reliability and hard-earned confidence, appealing to drivers who value substance over promotional claims. The Cooper Summer range embodies this philosophy by promising road-tested performance rather than empty marketing rhetoric.

The portfolio covers 162 stock keeping units across rim diameters from 14 to 22 inches, addressing 81 percent of the most sought-after fitments in the region. All tyres in the range are electric vehicle ready, reinforcing Cooper’s dedication to durable engineering for modern mobility. To achieve dependable summer performance, the tyre relies on a lightweight, optimised casing with advanced materials that reduce rolling resistance while maintaining high speed stability. An asymmetric tread pattern maximises road contact, and enlarged outer shoulder blocks improve braking stability, while well distributed grooves quickly evacuate water to reduce aquaplaning risks. Stiffer ribs and a balanced footprint promote even pressure distribution, reducing irregular wear, and the compound architecture preserves tread stiffness throughout the tire’s life.

Independent testing by the German publication Auto Motor und Sport in size 195/55R16 placed the Cooper Summer in seventh place with a good rating, praising its safe, precise and reliable handling on both wet and dry roads along with very good aquaplaning protection and rolling comfort. With speed ratings of H, V, W and Y, width ranges from 165 to 285 mm, and aspect ratios from 30 to 70, the Cooper Summer portfolio is positioned to support dealers through the 2026 summer season and beyond, proving that Cooper continues to deliver tough, well-engineered products for real world demands.

Ben Glesener, Senior Technology Director Product Development Consumer EMEA, said, “With the Cooper Summer range, we set out to build a summer portfolio drivers can rely on without hesitation. We engineered this portfolio around three benefits that matter most – energy efficiency, confident wet braking and strong tread wear – and made sure every element of the tyre works together to support them. From the asymmetric tread pattern to the lightweight yet robust casing, Cooper Summer delivers balanced performance without compromise. It’s a significant step forward for Cooper in EMEA, and a clear expression of what the brand stands for today: dependable performance, built with purpose.”

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Doublestar Tire, a leading Chinese tyre manufacturer, recently showcased its flagship products at the 139th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, held in Guangzhou. The event reached a record scale, gathering exhibitors from over 210 countries and regions and highlighting cutting-edge technologies in advanced manufacturing, new energy and low-carbon environmental protection.

Doublestar presented three specialised tyres. The TBR mining tyre D170 was developed for complex mining conditions with enhanced wear, cut and puncture resistance. The new OTR tyre DFA603 offers high loading capacity, safety and durability, boosting support for construction machinery. The PCR star product DH03 provides superior road grip, low rolling resistance, fuel economy, reliable braking and reduced noise for driving comfort.

The company’s participation demonstrated its continuous research and innovation in professional fields and reaffirmed its commitment to overseas markets. Doublestar aims to provide safer, more energy-efficient and intelligent tyre products and travel solutions, earning widespread professional recognition.

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Continental is showcasing ‘The Sound of Premium’, an immersive installation, at Milan Design Week 2026 held at BASE Milano from 20 to 26 April. The experience translates the brand’s advanced tire engineering into a multisensory journey, redefining how urban mobility sounds. Key technologies on display included Continental’s noise-reducing ContiSilent and Urban Silent Technology, which actively lower rolling noise through sound-absorbing materials inside the tire and tread patterns optimised for city speeds.

Cities are dense with movement and noise, where even invisible elements like tyres shape the acoustic environment. Continental’s technologies reduce road noise at its source, enhancing both driving stability and interior comfort. The installation invites visitors to reconsider urban sound not as a nuisance to be eliminated but as an element that can be precisely engineered and controlled.

The exhibition unfolds in three distinct phases: chaos, harmony and quiet. Layered city sounds first create tension and disorientation, then gradually dissolve as rhythm and balance emerge. The journey ends in a state of calm defined not by silence alone but by acoustic precision. A tyre displayed as a design object underscores how engineering can improve urban well‑being.

An interactive installation of 25 touch points allows visitors to shape their own sound environment in real time, activating different acoustic layers through touch. Each participant creates a personal composition reflecting their rhythm and sensitivity. The resulting experience can be recorded and shared via QR code, extending the dialogue between technology and individual expression beyond the exhibition space.

As electric vehicles become more widespread, rolling noise has grown into a dominant source of urban traffic sound. Continental meets this challenge by applying its expertise at the tyre‑road interface, developing measurable reductions in interior noise. Through ‘The Sound of Premium’, the company positions silence not as emptiness but as a performance feature.

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