Michelin has maintained its position as the world’s most valuable tyre brand for the seventh consecutive year, according to new data from Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy. The French brand’s value remained stable at $7.9 billion year-on-year despite facing challenges, including declining road transportation sales and reduced replacement market sales.

 Michelin also retained its title as the world’s strongest tyre brand, achieving a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 85.6 out of 100. While there was a 2.5-point decline in BSI, primarily due to lower-than-expected revenue forecasts, Brand Finance research indicates that Michelin excels in brand familiarity and customer recommendation. Additionally, Michelin commands the highest price acceptance in its home market.

 Bridgestone and Continental secured the second and third positions in the ranking, respectively, with 8 percent and 13 percent brand value increases. Bridgestone’s brand value rose to $7.6 billion, narrowing the gap to Michelin’s to just $254 million. Like all major tyre manufacturers, Bridgestone faced challenges due to increasing raw material prices and inflation. However, the company’s robust measures, including flexible supply management, contributed to a five percent year-on-year revenue increase.

With a brand value of $4.7 billion, Continental improved its BSI score by 3.2 points to 79.1 out of 100, driven by stronger scores in familiarity, consideration, and reputation.

Alex Haigh, Managing Director of Brand Finance Asia, said, “In a landscape where global tyre giants face challenges, the success of Chinese brands shines brightly. Their remarkable growth amid adversity underscores the resilience and dynamism of the Chinese tyre industry. With innovative approaches and a focus on sustainability, Giti emerges as the fastest-growing brand, buoyed by robust performance in China. Meanwhile, Linglong Tire, Sentury Tire, and Sailun are expanding their global footprint, leveraging cost-effectiveness to secure significant market share. As inflation grips traditional markets, the ascent of these Chinese brands heralds a new era of competition and opportunity in the global tyre market.”

 Giti emerged as the fastest-growing tyre brand this year, with a staggering 19 percent increase in brand value to $924 million, ranking ninth overall. This significant growth is supported by solid revenue growth forecasts, particularly in the Chinese market. Giti also saw a 6.3-point increase in its BSI score.

 Brand Finance’s research revealed Giti’s particularly strong performance in China, its largest market. Giti received a very high recommendation score in China, reflecting high customer satisfaction. Additionally, the brand achieved significant market recognition and acceptance, as evidenced by exceptionally high familiarity and consideration scores.

 Other Chinese tyre brands also witnessed notable brand value growth, including Sailun (up 10 percent to $ 801 million), Linglong Tire (up 11 percent to $ 799 million), and Sentury Tire (up 17 percent to $ 377 million). This growth is attributed to substantial overseas demand and a prosperous year for the Chinese tyre industry in 2023, marked by expanding overseas operations, high domestic demand, and favourable conditions for industry development. Notably, exports to South America increased by 33 percent.

Apollo Tyres Ltd has secured a one-season shirt-sleeve sponsorship agreement with AS Monaco, one of French football's most successful clubs, to increase awareness for its premium Vredestein brand.

This partnership will leverage Ligue 1's ranking as the fifth most watched football league in the world to raise awareness of Vredestein's award-winning products among a large audience in France and abroad. On November 22, AS Monaco's home league game against Brest will have the new sleeve branding for the first time. The Vredestein brand will be heavily promoted at Stade Louis-II for the 2024–2025 season, including on player sleeves and LED screens around the field. Exclusive social media initiatives will further help make the brand prominent, reaching a large and interested audience.

Yves Pouliquen, Vice President – Commercial, Europe, Apollo Tyres, said, “This partnership is an exciting opportunity to strengthen Vredestein’s presence in one of our key markets. AS Monaco’s rich history and commitment to excellence mirror our focus on performance and innovation. We look forward to building a successful relationship with the club and celebrating its achievements this season.”

Thibaut Chatelard, Marketing and Revenue Director, AS Monaco, said: “We are delighted to welcome Apollo Tyres and its Vredestein brand to the family of AS Monaco partners. This collaboration makes sense in view of the values we share, such as the constant pursuit of performance and excellence. There’s no doubt that this new support will be precious for the rest of our season, which promises to be thrilling.”

Nexen Tire, a leading global tyre manufacturer, has launched the Nexen N´Blue S tyre, adding to its range of summer tyres and providing drivers with advanced safety, energy efficiency and superior driving stability in wet and dry conditions.

Developed using highly dispersed silica and equipped with an optimised structural design, the Nexen N´Blue S tyre provides reduced road noise and improved driving stability. The tyre features an innovative tread compound, formulated with hydrophilic fillers and microstructure-controlled polymers, and provides lower rolling resistance and exceptional dry and wet grip. The tyre also excelled in test results by demonstrating an 11 percent improvement in wet braking distance compared to its predecessor.

Apart from providing excellent performance, the Nexen  N´Blue S also scores high on the sustainability index. The tyre provides an eco-friendly solution for environmentally conscious drivers by minimising fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The Nexen N´Blue S summer tyre is available in 58 sizes, which makes it compatible with different types of vehicles.

Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd. is all set to expand its investment project in Binh Duong province of Vietnam, with the phase 3 of expansion commencing in early 2025. This was discussed at a recent meeting between Vo Van Minh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC), and Kim Hyun Ho, General Director of Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd.

The meeting was held on 13 November at the Administrative Centre of Binh Duong province, as per an official statement. Apart from the company’s investment till date and the planned investment for phase 3, the two also discussed about the challenges and obstacles regarding procedures and processes to have more land funds to expand the manufacturing plant, along with taking measures to tackle the obstacles. Kim Hyun Ho also conveyed to the PPC Chairman that Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd. belongs to South Korea's Kumho Tire Group and is currently ranked 10th in the car tyre manufacturing industry.

The company had invested in a tyre manufacturing plant in My Phuoc 3 Industrial Park in 2007 with a total initial investment of USD 308 million, which was supplemented by another USD 300 million in 2021. This extended the factory scale to six hectares and increased the production capacity to 12.5 million tyres annually. With the expansion in early 2025, the company will raise its total investment to USD 908 million and increase the factory's production capacity to 17 million tyres annually. The expanded capacity is expected to be operational by early 2026.

Yokohama-ATG, a leading manufacturer of all-terrain and off-the-road tyres, has expanded its Galaxy MFS 101 SDS range of forklift tyres with the launch of white, non-marking tyres.

The Galaxy MFS 101 SDS range consists of puncture-proof SDS tyres with extended wear limits designed for high-intensity working shifts and long durability. These are premium, solid rubber tyres developed for tough demands, a long service life and high driving comfort. The addition of white, non-marking tyres is specifically aimed at clean working environments.

Marked by a 3-stage construction process, the forklift tyres feature reduced heat build-up, effective shock absorption and minimised vibrations. The pattern design guarantees a smooth ride and good steerability thanks to its continuous centre lug and circumferential grooves. Furthermore, the flat walls and wide flat profile offer excellent stability when using a forklift for vertical stacking. The tyres are also equipped with anti-slip steel beads for improved rim fitment

In a case study on a CAT 2.5-tonne forklift that was used for handling heavy pallets on asphalt, the Galaxy MFS 101 SDS outshone the competitors with impressive performance. The tyre delivered an approximate 900 working hours before replacement against competitors’ 500 working hours.