Maxion Wheels, a leading global wheel manufacturer, in partnership with Iochpe Foundation from Brazil and Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), celebrated the inauguration of the company's first Formare programme in Asia today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the brand-new Formare Learning Centre in Pune, India.  

Formare is a well-established academic scholarship programme for underprivileged youth in Brazil and Mexico. It recently celebrated its 35th anniversary, which is a benchmark in Brazil for providing professional training to economically and socially vulnerable young people. With this inauguration, Formare started its first class in India by selecting 26 EWS students for the two-year academic and industry programme that began with SPPU university classes in July and professional training at Kalyani Maxion Wheels’ manufacturing operation in Pune.

In addition to 100 percent tuition fees being reimbursed, they will receive a uniform, transportation, meals and a monthly stipend. After successfully completing the two-year programme, students will receive a Manufacturing Technology academic diploma.

Marcos Oliveira, President and CEO of Iochpe-Maxion and Chairman of the Board, Iochpe Foundation, commented, “The launch of Formare in India is a special moment for our company – a true testament to Iochpe-Maxion’s dedication to transforming lives through education and opportunity. For more than 35 years, we have successfully connected classroom learning with real-world workplace experiences for thousands of students in Brazil and Mexico and excited now to bring this successful programme and social benefits to India.”

“People and culture are at the centre of everything we do, from the wellbeing and inclusion of our employees to the social and environmental needs of those who live in our communities. The primary objective of Formare is to enhance the employability of underprivileged youth, and in this case, for the Pune region. I’m proud of the company and many Formare volunteers who work tirelessly to create a better shared future for us all,” said Pieter Klinkers, CEO of Maxion Wheels.

Sutheep Ratnabhas, President of Maxion Wheels’ Asia business unit, said, “Unlike other educational scholarship programs in the region, Formare is not focused on moulding students into future employees; instead, we want to give participants an opportunity to succeed in the overall job market. Formare provides job readiness and industry acumen, therefore opening doors to a wide range of employment opportunities upon graduation.” 

Highlighting the leadership and pioneering spirit of Maxion Wheels, Claudio Anjos, President of Iochpe Foundation, said, "Our foundation has worked closely with Maxion Wheels for almost 25 years in Brazil and Mexico. By offering opportunities for education and professional training to young people who really need it, Formare has the power to transform lives.”

“We are honoured to partner with Maxion Wheels in realising this programme and to provide the academic education for the Formare students here at Savitribai Phule Pune University,” said Prof Dr Suresh Gosavi, Vice Chancellor, SPPU. “The programme is unique as the comprehensive benefits alleviate any financial concerns and therefore allow the students to focus wholeheartedly on their education and professional development.”

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Apollo Tyres, one of the leading tyre makers in the country, has extended its strategic partnership with Manchester United Football Club, one of the world’s most iconic football teams, for an additional three years.

The partners stated that the renewal of the enduring partnership highlights a mutual commitment to excellence, innovation and shared values. This 12-year alliance has been instrumental in connecting both entities with millions of passionate fans globally, yielding highly engaging campaigns and delivering significant value, both in the realm of sport and business.

Since its inception, the partnership Apollo Tyres' stated has propelled its brand equity, leveraging Manchester United's unparalleled global visibility and deep emotional connection with its loyal fanbase. This association has not only bolstered Apollo Tyres' reputation and amplified consumer trust but also solidified its standing as a premier tyre manufacturer.

The renewal follows the recent visit of Manchester United's first-team players, Andre Onana, Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire, to Mumbai. Their visit marked the official launch and commencement of activities for the fifth season of the ‘United We Play’ programme, providing an opportunity for direct engagement with fans in India.

Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman and MD, Apollo Tyres, said, “We are thrilled to continue our association with Manchester United, a club that embodies passion, performance and global reach. Our partnership has been instrumental in amplifying our brand equity by aligning with a club that represents passion and perseverance. Together we will strive to create even more exciting experiences for fans, leverage new opportunities in digital and on-ground engagement, and strengthen our brand presence across key markets. We are also excited to expand our impact through a grassroots football initiative that aims to nurture young talent and promote access to the sport at the community level.”

Omar Berrada, CEO, Manchester United, added, “We are delighted to extend our successful partnership with Apollo Tyres, a valued and long-standing member of the Manchester United family. During our 12-year relationship, we’ve not only created impactful global campaigns but also delivered meaningful initiatives at the grassroots level, from youth development to sustainable infrastructure.”

“As we move into this next chapter, we look forward to continuing on our shared legacy -- driving further engagement with our fans around the world and creating lasting value both on and off the pitch,” added Berrada.

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Nokian Tyres plc has been awarded the prestigious Key Flag symbol by the Association for Finnish Work for its flagship Hakkapeliitta winter tyres and Hakka summer tyres.

The Key Flag, a nationally recognised emblem, is granted to products manufactured or services produced in Finland that contain a minimum of 50% domestic content based on break-even cost.

“We are proud of our Finnish heritage and our northern knowhow which is represented in our premium Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta and Nokian Tyres Hakka products,” said Ville Nikkola, Head of Sales, Finland at Nokian Tyres. “The Key Flag symbol is a sign of Finnish work and very well known among consumers. We are extremely happy to be able to present it next to our tyres manufactured in Finland for Nordic drivers.”

The Hakkapeliitta winter tyres and Hakka summer tyres are both developed and produced at Nokian Tyres’ factory in Nokia, Finland. The company’s global research and development centre is also located at the site, and both products undergo rigorous testing in Finland, including winter trials at the Ivalo test facility in Lapland.

This recognition is the latest in a series of Finnish quality accolades for the company. Nokian Tyres has previously received the Key Flag for its heavy machinery tyres, wheels, and retreading materials. Additionally, its truck and bus tyres carry the Design from Finland label, underlining their Finnish design pedigree.

Founded in 1898, Nokian Tyres began manufacturing tyres in 1932. The company introduced the world’s first winter tyre in 1934, followed by the first Hakkapeliitta-branded passenger car winter tyre in 1936. Since then, the brand has become a hallmark of Nordic winter driving.

“The Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta winter tyres, as well as the Nokian Tyres Hakka summer tyres,, are designed to withstand the challenges of their northern home: the harsh winters with ice and snow as well as the summer months from the first sub-zero mornings of the spring to the heavy rainfalls of autumn,” Nikkola added.

Nokian Tyres emphasised that both product lines are still made in the same factory in Nokia as their early predecessors. Over the decades, the plant has been modernised and now runs on electricity sourced entirely from CO2-free sources. Most of the steam used in the facility also comes from CO2-free fuels. Since 2015, the factory has sent no waste from tyre production to landfill.

The company has further strengthened its sustainability credentials by obtaining the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS for the Nokia passenger car tyre plant. The certification enables the integration of sustainable raw materials into tyre production at the facility.

“The Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta winter tyres are already a legend of Nordic winter roads and are, just like the Nokian Tyres Hakka summer tyres, still made within the same factory walls in Nokia as their predecessors in the 1930s,” Nikkola concluded.

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Hankook Tire is gearing up to electrify the 2024/2025 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship as the series returns to Jakarta on 21 June for Round 12 of Season 11.

After a one-year absence, the Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit (JIEC) will once again host the high-speed spectacle, set against the vibrant backdrop of Ancol’s shoreline. The 2.37-km track, celebrated since its debut in Season 8, blends high-speed straights, sweeping turns and a technical final section – inspired by the rhythmic flow of Java’s traditional Kuda Lumping dance. The challenging layout, combined with Jakarta’s intense tropical heat, will test drivers’ skill, endurance and tyre strategy to the limit. Powering every team will be Hankook’s GEN3 Evo iON Race tyre, purpose-built for Formula E’s cutting-edge electric race cars. Its advanced tread design and specialised rubber compound ensure superior grip, stability and heat resistance – key to handling Jakarta’s demanding conditions.

Sustainability remains a core focus, with the tyre incorporating 35 percent eco-friendly materials, including natural rubber and recycled fibres. Designed for extended durability, each tyre is fully recovered post-race and processed through Hankook’s recycling programme, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to reducing motorsport’s environmental footprint while pushing the boundaries of electric racing performance.

Maximilian Günther, the DS Penske driver and winner of 2023 Gulavit Jakarta E-Prix (Race 10), and most recently, the 2025 Jeddah E-Prix (Race 3) and 2025 Hankook Shanghai E-Prix (Race 10), said, “Jakarta delivers a unique blend of technical complexity and extreme climate. It’s a true proving ground for drivers and tire management. The enhanced grip of the GEN3 Evo iON Race tyre allows us to push harder through technical sectors without sacrificing traction. We’ve already observed gains during simulator sessions, and we’re optimistic about translating that into on-track performance.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has signed a Mizuho Eco Finance (Mizuho Environmentally Conscious Finance) loan agreement with Mizuho Bank, Ltd. on 17 June, reinforcing the company’s dedication to sustainable growth and decarbonisation.

This environmentally conscious financing programme supports companies transitioning to a decarbonised society by evaluating their climate-related initiatives and disclosures. Yokohama Rubber qualified for the loan after achieving high scores in Mizuho Bank’s environmental assessment, which examines corporate efforts in emissions transparency, greenhouse gas reduction and long-term sustainability goals.

The company has committed to reducing CO₂ emissions by 40 percent by 2030 (compared to 2019 levels) and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. These targets, along with Yokohama Rubber’s focus on emissions reduction across its supply chain, contributed to its strong evaluation. Under its sustainability slogan, ‘Caring for the Future’, the company integrates social responsibility into its business strategy, aiming to create shared value by addressing global environmental challenges.

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