MRF Ltd introduced its visionary theme called 'Muscle in Motion' at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. This theme underscored MRF’s relentless commitment to innovation, excellence and its transformative role in shaping the future of mobility across a wide spectrum of applications.

The theme reflects MRF’s unparalleled market leadership, engineering expertise and steadfast dedication to innovation. It highlights the company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge mobility solutions that enhance vehicle performance, foster progress and redefine the transportation industry. 

The company showcased its innovative prowess with several remarkable exhibits. These include the Aeromuscle tyre range, developed for the Sukhoi aircraft and the LCA Tejas, alongside tyres specifically designed for electric vehicles featuring acoustic foam technology (AFT) to enhance EV performance. Other highlights include an ERC-Type Rally Car equipped with MRF Gravel tyres, high-performance studded tyres engineered for extreme rally conditions and snow-application tyres tailored for harsh winter environments. The company’s flagship truck radial S3C8 tyre and a range of products exported globally further underline MRF’s comprehensive portfolio.

The legacy

MRF’s reputation as India’s leading tyre manufacturer is built on decades of industry leadership with 37 years of dominance in the market. In the fiscal year 2023–24, the company achieved a record turnover of INR 254.86 billion with double-digit growth recorded for the six months ending April and October 2024. This stellar performance propelled MRF’s global ranking to 11th place among the world’s top tyre manufacturers, according to the Global Tire Intelligence report dated November 28, 2024.

The company continues to cater to millions of customers across India and globally, offering the widest range of tyres, from go-kart models to specialised products for aircraft. MRF is at the forefront of electric vehicle (EV) innovation, setting benchmarks in tyre technology and motorsports. Its engineering excellence has positioned the brand as a leader in global motorsports and a pioneer in EV-specific solutions that drive advancements in sustainable mobility.MRF’s commitment to sustainability is deeply embedded in its operations, with 10 advanced manufacturing facilities across India contributing to the nation’s Net Zero emission target by 2070. The company has established phase-wise targets to enhance its sustainability performance, focusing on clean energy adoption, manufacturing efficiency, and resource optimisation. MRF’s vision for the future includes embedding sustainability into its business practices, ensuring long-term environmental and operational excellence.

Innovation in the EV space remains a cornerstone of MRF’s strategy. The company’s advanced EV-specific tyres are designed for efficiency, durability, and performance, supporting a range of key EV models in India, including the Maruti EV, Tata Nexon EV, Mahindra EV, and two-wheelers like the Honda Activa Electric, Bajaj Chetak, Hero Moto Vida, and Ather Rizta. MRF’s partnerships also extend to electric motorcycles such as the Ultraviolette F77 and Revolt, electric buses like those from JBM and Olectra, and commercial EVs including trucks and three-wheelers from leading manufacturers.

Motorsports excellence is another hallmark of MRF’s legacy. The company’s high-performance tyres are synonymous with motorsports in India supporting Formula cars, rallying, motocross, motorcycle racing and go-karting. Globally, MRF’s dominance is evident with titles in the European Rally Championship (ERC) in 2022 and 2023, multiple victories in the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), and four consecutive wins in the Italian Gravel Championship. MRF’s philosophy, “Tyres We Race Are the Tyres You Buy,” ensures that innovations born on the racetrack translate into superior durability, performance, and safety for everyday drivers.

MRF’s expertise extends beyond automotive applications as seen in its Aero Muscle Tyres developed for fighter jets. These tyres meet stringent aviation standards, showcasing MRF’s engineering capabilities and its leadership in sectors beyond traditional automotive boundaries.

The 'Muscle in Motion' theme epitomises MRF’s steadfast dedication to innovation, quality and sustainability. As a beacon of progress in mobility solutions, MRF invites attendees of Bharat Mobility 2025 to witness its vision for a future defined by cutting-edge technology and unparalleled performance.

Michelin is relocating its UK headquarters to Keele University’s award-winning Science and Innovation Park. The relocation plan is in line with Michelin’s ‘People, Profit and Planet’ strategy and is aimed at making significant gains in sustainability and creating an enhanced workplace for its staff.

Members of the group services and UK commerce teams will work out of the new office at Innovation Centre 2 (IC2), which is situated on the campus of Keele University. Under the new arrangement, the personnel will be relocating from the Riverside complex on Campbell Road in Stoke to offices in the park's IC2 building. Staff supporting Michelin’s retreading tyre factory in Stoke and its logistics and training centre will continue to work at Michelin's Campbell Road production facility.

John Howe, Managing Director of Michelin in the UK and Ireland, said, “This is a great opportunity to provide collaborative and dynamic workspace experiences that are fit for today’s and future talents. With the lease of our current premises coming to an end, this provided a natural opportunity for us to look at what was available in the market and aligned with our requirements, with Keele coming out on top. Sustainability was one of the most important factors in reaching our decision. With 49 EV chargers, cycle stores and shower facilities for staff who commute by bike, as well as wind and solar energy generation on site, IC2 enables us to benefit from Keele University’s innovative approach in this important area. A variety of work options including meeting rooms, collaborative spaces and areas for quiet, focused work have all been created in the new facility. Staff can also access a range of opportunities on-site, including leisure, fitness, retail and dining options, and there’s a Marriott hotel for Michelin’s visitors and our field-based teams. The location is served by regular public transport and Michelin is purchasing permits to ensure staff have access to free parking too. We look forward to creating this workspace for our UK team.”

Professor Trevor McMillan OBE, Vice-Chancellor, Keele University, said, "We're delighted that Michelin has chosen to relocate its head office to our award-winning Science and Innovation Park. We look forward to welcoming Michelin into Keele's diverse business community and our discussions have already uncovered common interests, particularly around sustainability and social inclusion, which we hope to build on."

Russian tyre manufacturer JSC Cordiant has started up commercial production at the former Bridgestone facility in Ulyanovsk, Russia. Vadim Volodin, CEO of Cordiant, and Alexey Mordashov, CEO of Cordiant parent firm Severgroup, attended the formal launch event on March 19.

After two and a half years of inactivity, Cordian resumed the plant's testing runs in November of last year. The facility, which was renamed the Gislaved Ulyanovsk factory, can now produce 2.4 million passenger vehicle tyres. With a daily capacity of 5,000 units, the unit has been in operation since 2016 and is regarded as one of the most advanced full-cycle tyre businesses in the Russian Federation. Its product line, which includes tyres with standard sizes ranging from 13-inch to 19-inch for cars, crossovers and SUVs, as well as tyres that have been approved for supply to automakers as original equipment, is produced under the Gislaved brand. In December 2023, after the Kremlin invaded Ukraine, Bridgestone sold the factory to Cordiant as the Japanese group left Russia.

“The launch is important both for the sustainable development of the Cordiant holding and for the entire tyre industry in Russia,” said Mordashov, adding that the start-up will have stabilising effect on the market and will enable Cordian to meet the growing domestic demand.

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. is all set to attend the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2025, which will take place in Hamburg Messe, Germany, from 8 April 2025, together with its US sales affiliate, Yokohama Aerospace America, Inc.

More than 400 companies from all over the world are expected to participate and exhibit this year in the trade show featuring aircraft interior products, related materials and the latest innovative technologies.

The company's range of airplane restroom goods, including a wheelchair-accessible prototype and retrofit kits that can be put in existing restrooms as an interior enhancement, will be on display at the YOKOHAMA exhibit. By adding touchless functionality to the faucet and updating the flush switch, these kits improve the accessibility of the restrooms. By focusing on aircraft manufacturers, airlines and maintenance firms, among others, Yokohama Rubber hopes to increase sales of its aircraft interior goods in the replacement (supplementary products) sector.

Yokohama Rubber, apart from being a prominent global tyre manufacturer, is also one of Japan's top producers of aeronautical goods. The firm has been producing and marketing a variety of goods for commercial airplanes since the 1980s, such as honeycomb structural elements, onboard stairways, potable water tanks, toilet modules constructed from lightweight composite materials and thermal insulation materials. The Boeing 737 and 757 include over 17,000 restroom modules from Yokohama Rubber. Additionally, it provides replacement components that are specially built for aircraft conversion projects.

Hankook Tyre UK will display its lineup of Hankook and Laufenn commercial vehicle tyres at the Road Transport Expo trade show, which will be held at the NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire. As it enters its fourth year, the leading event in the UK transportation and logistics sector is anticipated to have over 300 exhibitors, offering chances to network with industry leaders, learn from experts and see the newest vehicles and technologies.

A variety of Hankook tyres will be on exhibit at Stand R30, including the hybrid use tyres made for both local and long-distance transportation: the SmartFlex DL51 for the driving axle and the SmartFlex AL51 for the steering axle and all-position tyre. Like all contemporary Hankook truck tyres, these tyres are retreadable and offer outstanding performance from the first to the last millimetre of tread depth. The only tyre on the market made especially for EV buses, Hankook's e-SMART City AU56, which made its debut at the exhibition last year, will return to demonstrate its remarkable energy efficiency, durability, safety and efficiency for urban transportation. The recently released 315/80R22.5 Smart Work AM11+, which is intended for both off-road and on-road applications, will also be on show.

Additionally, Hankook will promote the launch of Laufenn365, a new online platform created to expedite Laufenn tyre damage claims. The claims coverage gives clients peace of mind and protection from unforeseen expenses by guaranteeing Laufenn tyres against unintentional damage and delivering a reimbursement under its damage warranty. Hankook will also display a number of Laufenn goods, such as the LF95 trailer tyre and two more Laufenn regional haul treads, the LF22 all-position and the LZ22 drive axle tyre.

Jon Cottrell, UK Truck Sales Manager, Hankook Tyre UK, said, “The show is a great opportunity for both new and existing customers to connect with our team, enjoy our hospitality and explore tailored tyre solutions with our experienced tech and sales experts. Plus, it’s the perfect platform to showcase and discuss our latest market-leading products.”