Nexen Tire crafted a significant and multi-faceted presence at this year's SEMA Show, moving beyond a simple product display to foster genuine engagement. The brand’s strategy centred on creating dynamic conversations and providing tangible proof of its products' capabilities. A key initiative, Nexen Live, served as a bustling hub, featuring a continuous schedule of short, unscripted discussions with a diverse array of industry figures. This approach allowed fans and trade professionals alike to see the tyres in action on actual competition vehicles and hear directly from the drivers who depend on them. The core message was one of validated performance, emphasising that Nexen’s passenger and performance lines are rigorously tested and race-proven for dependable daily use.

This narrative was powerfully reinforced early in the event when the N’Fera Sport tyre was distinguished as the runner-up in SEMA’s prestigious New Product Showcase, standing as the only tyre honoured in its category. This accolade amplified the brand's momentum and credibility on the show floor. The company’s outdoor space was consistently active, with presentations that skilfully connected various topics back to a cohesive story about the entire tyre lineup. This provided attendees with a clear understanding of where featured products, such as the EV-compatible N’Priz S and the high-performance N’Fera Sport, fit within the broader range.

The credibility of this full-line story was bolstered by an impressive roster of guests who appeared on the Nexen Live stage. The breadth of perspectives was extensive, featuring product strategy leaders from major OEMs including Nissan, Ford, Toyota and Jeep, who shared insights into manufacturer direction and original equipment performance standards. This high-level industry view was complemented by the real-world, competition-tested experiences of professional racers from Team Nexen and the NHRA. Further depth was added by builders and designers who connected tyre function to vehicle craftsmanship, while influential artists like Cartoon and Mike Giant brought unique visual storytelling that attracted new audiences. Media personalities and content creators effectively translated technical features into relatable benefits for diverse drivers, from truck owners to families. Additional practical context came from aftermarket experts in audio and lubrication, who tied tyre performance into a complete real-world vehicle experience.

This comprehensive SEMA activation is a single component of a larger, sustained effort by Nexen to build market familiarity and trust. This broader plan includes consistent media storytelling, collaborations with digital creators and visible validation from rigorous racing and off-road programmes. The SEMA presence directly followed the company's recent Ride N’ Drive event, where influencers and partners provided direct feedback after hands-on testing. Together, these initiatives delivered a dual spotlight on key products within their full-line context, helping consumers understand each tyre's specific role without overwhelming them with technical specifications. The dialogue from the show is set to continue, as Nexen will release over 40 interviews from its stage across social channels, extending the energy and conversations from Las Vegas throughout the year.

Theresa Kapper, Director of Marketing, Nexen Tire  America, said, “We brought Nexen Tire back to SEMA to make a bigger impression and a bigger impact among the people who live and breathe this industry every day. By opening the stage to racers, builders, creators and partners, we’re not just talking at people, we’re inviting them in. The choice to encourage transparency and open dialogue, and to platform other champions in this space leaves a lasting impression. It tells showgoers exactly who we are: confident in our products, confident in our process and confident enough to let real voices carry the story.” 

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Nokian Tyres has launched its ‘Carve the Corners’ contest, offering hockey fans in United States and Canada a chance to win a trip to the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. The promotion runs from 6 February to 20 March. Entrants can visit a dedicated page on the company’s website for their opportunity to win an all-expenses-paid experience. This includes airfare, lodging and tickets to the semifinal games in Zurich, Switzerland, on 30 May. One winner will be randomly selected from each country, each receiving a trip for themselves and a guest.

The tournament itself, for which Nokian Tyres is an Official Sponsor for a two-year period, takes place from 15 to 31 May. It is the world’s largest annual winter sports event, featuring 64 games where 16 top national teams compete for the World Champion title, captivating millions of viewers. Beyond the grand prize, the contest page allows participants to predict the tournament’s overall winner and leading scorer, and also provides information on Nokian Tyres products.

The company is promoting the campaign extensively. Efforts include social media outreach on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Threads, where followers can find competition updates, driving tips and hockey-related content. Nokian Tyres is also working with its network of tyre dealers and hockey media across both countries to raise awareness. This broader campaign involves dealer showrooms, podcast discussions and various grassroots channels. Additionally, a separate contest is available exclusively for tyre dealers, offering them a chance to win tickets to the championship, promoted through the company’s dedicated dealer communications.

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MRF Limited reported a 15 per cent rise in consolidated total income for the third quarter ended 31 December 2025, supported by stronger demand across original equipment and replacement segments.

Total income rose to INR 81.75bn, compared with INR 70.99bn in the corresponding quarter a year earlier. Consolidated profit before tax increased to INR 9.17bn, up from INR 4.24bn a year earlier, after providing for an exceptional item of INR 0.77bn related to the new Labour Code.

Provision for tax during the quarter stood at INR 2.25bn. Consolidated net profit more than doubled to INR 6.92bn, compared with INR 3.15bn in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

The company said both original equipment and replacement sales were robust during the quarter, aided by higher demand following the reduction in goods and services tax rates. Rural demand also improved, supported by good and widespread monsoons.

MRF said demand momentum from lower GST rates was expected to continue into the fourth quarter. Original equipment manufacturers were also expected to raise production levels, driven by higher anticipated sales and lower channel inventories.

The company said increased government spending on infrastructure, announced in the Union Budget, was positive for commercial vehicles and, in turn, the tyre industry. It also noted that trade agreements under discussion with several countries, including the European Union and the United States, could create export opportunities in the future.

The board of directors declared a second interim dividend of INR 3 per share, representing 30 per cent on the face value of INR 10, for the financial year ending 31 March 2026.

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TVS Srichakra Limited has approved a capital investment of up to INR 21 billion to expand manufacturing capacity at its Unit 2 facility in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand.

The decision was taken by the board of directors at a meeting held on recently, the company said.

The investment will be directed towards capacity addition at the existing plant, which currently has an annual production capacity of about 9.2 million to 9.5 million tyres. Capacity utilisation at the unit stands at roughly 80–85 per cent.

The proposed expansion is expected to raise capacity by about 40–45 per cent and is scheduled to be completed in the first half of the 2027–28 financial year.

The company said the investment would be funded through a combination of internal accruals and debt. The expansion is intended to meet growing demand for the company’s two-wheeler and three-wheeler tyres.

TVS Srichakra disclosed the development under Regulation 30 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s listing regulations.

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At a meeting of the Pirelli Board of Directors, the management presented an analysis of the evolving automotive competitive landscape. This environment is now defined by increasingly integrated and connected systems, such as software-defined vehicles and autonomous driving, which have transformed the tyre into a sophisticated, data-driven component. In this context, Pirelli’s pioneering Cyber Tyre technology – a hardware and software system that communicates in real time with both vehicles and road infrastructure – was underscored as a critical strategic asset. Its validity is confirmed by adoption from major prestige car manufacturers and relative agreements with the Apulia Region, Movyon and Anas for smart road services.

Following this assessment, CEO Andrea Casaluci presented a clear position, asserting that all Cyber Tyre activities must continue to be developed in a fully integrated manner with the rest of the Pirelli Group, both functionally and organisationally. He emphasised that management must align completely with the Group’s strategic and industrial approach, expressly rejecting any project that could lead to even partial compartmentalisation, separation or segregation of this business unit. The Board voted on this management consideration, resulting in nine votes in favour and five against. Directors Chen Aihua, Zhang Haitao, Chen Qian, Fan Xiaohua and Tang Grace cast the dissenting votes.

The management further detailed the substantial risks of fragmenting the Cyber Tyre operations, arguing such a move would be unworkable. It would critically undermine the integrated business model that relies on constant interplay between technology, innovation, production and marketing. Isolating the Cyber Tyre business would involve transferring related patents, thereby stripping Pirelli of free access to its own strategic know-how and contradicting core principles of the company Bylaws. This segregation would weaken technological development, erode Pirelli’s competitive edge and innovative leadership and reduce synergies while increasing costs through duplicated structures. Ultimately, it would trigger significant value destruction, impair financial solidity and still fail to address the limitations imposed by relevant US legislation.

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