ON THE ROAD: ASHOK LEYLAND LAUNCHES INDIA’S FIRST 4-AXEL 14-WHEELER TRUCK

ON THE ROAD: ASHOK LEYLAND LAUNCHES INDIA’S FIRST 4-AXEL 14-WHEELER TRUCK

The AVTR 4120 can operate 40.5 Ton with the lift axle down, producing revenue and payload similar to a 10X2 truck or haul 28 Ton with the lift axel up, having higher fuel efficiency comparable to a 6X2 during light/partial load. This flexibility allows owners to operate the AVTR 4120 at a large GVW band, achieving the best total operation cost.

Other notable features of the AVTR 4120 are:

• Build on a modular platform and offers three cabin option: N Cab, U Cab and M Cab

• N Cabin variant comes equipped with Suspended cab with dampers, Suspended driver seat, Anti-roll bar in the front, excellent storage spaces, Full Metal Front Facia, Music system, AC & HVAC options.

• The company is also offering maintenance-free Unitised wheel bearings, slipper ended rear suspension and so on for owners to choose from. (TT)

RENAULT TO OFFER ELECTRIC TRUCKS FOR EACH MARKET FROM 2023

Volvo Group’s subsidiary- Renault Trucks announced an all-electric truck will be available for each segment, namely distribution, construction and long-distance from 2023.

To achieve these goals, Renault Trucks is backed by dedicated units, both in Research and Development and in the sales and after-sales departments.

On the R&D side, Renault Trucks intends to meet the main technological challenges of this revolution through strategic partnerships, as well as relying on technologies within the Volvo Group to increase volumes and reduce costs.

To facilitate this sustainable transition, The French company will also have the support of its new R&D centre in Lyon – the X-Tech Arena - which will be built by the beginning of 2023 through an investment of EUR 33 million.

In March 2020, Renault Trucks began series production of its second generation of electric vehicles at the Blainville-sur-Orne plant.

Renault Trucks now boasts a comprehensive all-electric range on the market, from 3.1 to 26 tonnes. Comprising of the D Z.E., D Wide Z.E. and the Master Z.E., it meets the requirements of urban transport, delivery, distribution and waste collection. (TT)

 

YAMAHA R15 VERSION 3.0 LAUNCHED IN METALLIC RED

 

India Yamaha Motor announced another exciting update on the existing range of YZF-R15 Version 3.0. The sporty bike will now be available in the all-new ‘Metallic Red’ colour from April 1st in India.

The entry-level sports bike retains the 155cc, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valve, fuel-injected engine equipped with innovative technologies like Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) and Assist & Slipper (A&S) Clutch.

The Metallic Red colour edition of YZF-R15 Version 3.0. is priced at Rs. 1,52,100 (Ex-showroom Delhi).

The sports motorcycle is available in 3 existing colours – Racing Blue, Thunder Grey and Darknight.

All models in the Yamaha line-up are also equipped with a Side Stand Engine Cut-off Switch which prevents engine ignition till the side stand is withdrawn & ensures convenience to riders. (TT)

AZuR Champions Digital Product Passport As Essential Driver For Tyre Circular Economy

AZuR Champions Digital Product Passport As Essential Driver For Tyre Circular Economy

The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) has confirmed its participation as a cooperation partner for the tyre material flow for an interactive event on the Digital Product Passport (DPP), scheduled for 16 June 2026 at the Bottrop campus of Ruhr West University of Applied Sciences. With the European Union planning to introduce DPP from 2028, the initiative aims to establish greater transparency, resource conservation and functional material cycles. The upcoming gathering will focus on practical applications and future prospects for industry, trade, recycling and the circular economy.

The European Union has classified tyres as a priority product group under the new Ecodesign Regulation. The digital passport will provide accessible data on a tyre’s entire lifecycle, including material composition, carbon dioxide emissions, repair history, retreading suitability and recycling methods, potentially via QR codes or radio-frequency identification technology on the tyre itself.

Significant potential exists for the tyre recycling sector. Retreaders will be able to quickly assess casing history, mileage and past repairs to determine suitability for retreading. Recyclers will gain improved material transparency regarding ingredients, additives and recycled content, thereby facilitating both mechanical and chemical recycling. Thus, the passport can support longer tyre use and more efficient recovery of valuable raw materials.

AZuR views DPP as a key step towards advancing the tyre circular economy. Several manufacturers are already working on pilot projects, including Michelin’s coordination of a scalable system through the CIRPASS-2 project, standardisation efforts by Bridgestone and Michelin via the Global Data Service Organisation and AZuR partners’ work on radio-frequency identification and digital traceability. The upcoming university event offers companies, researchers and municipalities an early opportunity to address the passport’s requirements and develop practical solutions.

Continental Expands Rayong Facility, Launches Radial Motorcycle Tyre Production

Continental Expands Rayong Facility, Launches Radial Motorcycle Tyre Production

Continental marked a major milestone on 22 May 2026 during opening ceremonies for the second expansion phase of its Rayong plant in Thailand. The development includes growth for the Passenger and Light Truck Tires division and the start of radial production for motorcycle tyres.

The Rayong motorcycle tyre facility operates with fully in-house manufacturing, from rubber compounds to finished products, using modern equipment. All processes adhere to Continental’s global quality and control standards, enabling production of both radial and diagonal tyres with capacity for future expansion. A high degree of automation and automatic monitoring systems eliminate manual errors while maintaining strict quality checks at every step.

Continental’s Rayong production serves diverse riding styles, including sport-touring and adventure touring segments, with popular radial and diagonal tyre models already in production. In March 2026, the plant received IATF certification, meeting international automotive standards that guarantee continuous quality processes and supply reliability for original-equipment customers.

The expansion also reflects Continental’s sustainability commitment, with solar energy supplying about 13 percent of the plant’s electricity needs. Additionally, the project has created new jobs, strengthening the regional economy.

Christoph Ettenhuber, Head of Business Field Motorcycle Tires, Continental, said, “By expanding our facility in Thailand, we are strategically strengthening our global production structure for Continental Motorcycle Tires. Together with our established operations in our Korbach plant in Germany, we are laying the groundwork for a faster, more flexible response to market demands. Rayong is a key component of our international motorcycle tyre strategy and underscores our clear commitment to growth and state-of-the-art production processes. For our customers, this means premium quality made by Continental – no matter which continent they’re on or which roads they travel."

Sahil Agrawal, Head of Manufacturing Operations in Rayong, said, “Quality is our top priority – for our original equipment customers as well as for end consumers. Our system captures every detail: all tyres are fully traceable at every production step. Online monitoring systems such as automatic scales, profilometers and camera systems ensure that every component is within specification limits. Automation – from the green tyre spray system to automatic tool management – enables us to achieve maximum quality levels while creating an ergonomic and safe working environment.”

Bridgestone’s Sustainable Business Model Drives Continued Inclusion In Top ESG Indexes

Bridgestone’s Sustainable Business Model Drives Continued Inclusion In Top ESG Indexes

Bridgestone Corporation has once again been selected as a constituent of several globally recognised environmental, social and governance (ESG) indexes, including the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World Index, the FTSE4Good Index Series, the MSCI Selection Indexes, the FTSE JPX Blossom Japan Index, the FTSE JPX Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index, the MSCI Japan ESG Select Leaders Index and the MSCI Japan Equity ESG Select Leaders Index.

The Japanese tyre giant’s continued inclusion in these rankings serves as a concrete and objective embodiment of its corporate mission to serve society with superior quality. Company leadership views the ability to sustain such ESG initiatives over many years as a distinct organisational strength.

Regarding the Dow Jones indexes, Bridgestone has been selected for the Best-in-Class World Index for four consecutive years since 2022, which recognises the top 10 percent of sustainability leaders among 2,500 major global companies. The firm has also maintained a place in the Best-in-Class Asia Pacific Index for 16 straight years since 2010.

In the FTSE Russell assessments, Bridgestone has achieved eight consecutive years of selection for the FTSE4Good Index Series since 2018, alongside the same duration for the FTSE JPX Blossom Japan Index. The company has also been included in the FTSE JPX Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index for five consecutive years since 2021. For MSCI, Bridgestone has secured three straight years of selection for the MSCI Selection Indexes since 2023 while receiving the highest AAA rating in the MSCI ESG Ratings for three consecutive years.

The company has additionally earned high marks from the international non-profit CDP, receiving an A minus rating in both Climate Change and Water Security for 2025, marking six consecutive years at the leadership level. Bridgestone also obtained an A rating in the Supplier Engagement Rating for the seventh time. Key initiatives behind these recognitions include the expansion of its sustainability business model towards carbon neutrality and a circular economy, actions supporting nature positive goals such as sustainable natural rubber and water resource management, a comprehensive due diligence system based on Plan-Do-Check-Act cycles for human rights and environmental risk and global policy execution guidelines.

Bridgestone places sustainability at the core of its management, aiming to implement and evolve its unique business model across the entire value chain from production and use to renewal and raw materials. These efforts link business operations directly to the realisation of carbon neutrality, a circular economy and a nature positive world.

Tegeta Green Planet And Shine Energy Inspire Eco-Responsibility In Young Learners

Tegeta Green Planet And Shine Energy Inspire Eco-Responsibility In Young Learners

Tegeta Green Planet and Shine Energy, both affiliated with Tegeta Holding, have launched a joint educational initiative to raise environmental awareness and a sense of responsibility among young people. The project addresses modern challenges such as environmental protection and sustainable development.

Company representatives are visiting schools across Tbilisi to hold informational meetings, presentations and workshops. The programme begins with presentations, followed by interactive games and activities designed to help students retain the information. At the end of each session, participants receive symbolic gifts and prizes as motivation.

Tegeta Green Planet focuses on teaching students the principles of specific waste management, including how to properly handle used tyres, batteries and oils. The sessions explain why proper waste management is essential for environmental protection and how it connects to the circular economy. Meanwhile, Shine Energy educates young people on the importance of energy, its everyday use and why developing renewable and sustainable energy resources is crucial.

The initiative is not limited to schools. In the near future, both organisations will expand their efforts to universities, aiming to broaden awareness about environmental protection, waste management and energy efficiency. The ultimate goal is to foster environmentally responsible attitudes among the younger generation, helping build a more sustainable and conscious society.