Ozzy Tyres has launched a new MONSTA all-terrain tyre, engineered to align with the actual driving patterns of modern Australians. As the nation's utility vehicle market expands, with models like the Ford Ranger dominating sales, a clear trend has emerged: most 4x4 owners primarily use their vehicles on sealed roads for daily commuting and family transport, venturing off-road only occasionally. Founder and Director Hussein Chahine identified this shift, noting a significant market gap for a tyre that delivers the rugged, aggressive aesthetic and off-road assurance drivers desire, but without the traditional compromises.

Conventional all-terrain tyres, optimised for extreme off-road conditions with large tread blocks, often generate excessive road noise, vibration and a harsh, stiff ride on pavement. Ozzy Tyres addressed this by rethinking the design from the ground up. After six months of dedicated research and development, the new MONSTA tyre features a pattern with narrower gaps and smooth, curved tread lines. This design maintains crucial off-road traction and durability while ensuring a quiet and stable on-road performance. Furthermore, engineered sidewalls provide greater compliance than typical all-terrain tyres, enhancing ride comfort and reducing strain on vehicle suspension.

This product underscores MONSTA’s unique position as the only Australian-owned tyre brand in the market, a status that enables a direct, customer-led approach to manufacturing. The company’s vertically integrated model allows it to respond swiftly to local driving trends and feedback, rather than relying on imported products designed for different conditions. Manufacturing has now commenced, beginning with 10 sizes and plans for more as demand grows. The brand’s organic international expansion into markets like Japan and New Zealand continues, but the new MONSTA tyre is distinctly born from an understanding of Australian habits.

Ultimately, the tyre is built for the reality of Australian lifestyles. It provides the confident, aggressive look and sidewall strength that 4x4 drivers want, coupled with the daily comfort of a smooth and quiet ride. Chahine emphasises that by designing and developing their own products, Ozzy Tyres maintains full control over quality and performance, ensuring the tyre resonates with drivers who no longer need to sacrifice on-road comfort for off-road capability.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Yokohama Tire Corporation, a subsidiary of The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has become a supporting sponsor for the new American Off-Road Racing Championship (AORC), which launches in 2026 as North America’s top desert racing series. The company will also equip competitors with its GEOLANDAR brand tyres for SUVs and pickup trucks.

The championship is a collaboration between Unlimited Off-Road Racing and the Best in the Desert Racing Association, consolidating several premier events, including the historic Best in the Desert series and the Mint 400. This five-race points championship will traverse demanding US desert courses, commencing with the Parker 400 in Arizona. As a sponsor, Yokohama Tire Corporation will deliver marketing and motorsport support throughout the series.

The provided tyres will include racing specifications derived from the GEOLANDAR M/T G003 mud-terrain model and overseas-market GEOLANDAR SD off-road racing tyres. Building on the proven track record of GEOLANDAR tyres in events now forming the AORC, TEAM YOKOHAMA is focused on securing series championships.

AORC Schedule

14–18 January: Parker 400 (Arizona)
4–8 March: Mint 400 (Nevada)
22–26 April: Silver State 300 (Nevada)
23–26 July: Vegas to Reno Legends Rally (Nevada) *Not included in AORC series points
13–16 August: Vegas To Reno (Nevada)
15–19 October: Laughlin Desert Classic (Nevada)

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Emerging as a direct answer to the mining industry's most persistent durability challenge, Triangle Tyre has comprehensively launched its groundbreaking giant OTR tyre bonding protection solution: EnsureX Efficient Technology. This innovation is specifically engineered for the world's most punishing environments, such as the Deo Nai coal mine in Vietnam's Quang Ninh province. There, extreme heat, prolonged humidity and rugged lignite terrain traditionally cause severe tyre ageing and delamination, leading to high failure rates and operational risk.

The core of EnsureX is a material science breakthrough that solves the critical problem of adhesion failure between rubber polymers and steel cords under heavy load and complex conditions. It centres on an ultra-high-performance cobalt-free bonding system paired with a gradient adhesion-layer distribution. This combination delivers transformative performance through three key pillars: exceptional fatigue resistance to handle constant deformation, enhanced ageing resistance that boosts adhesion strength by over 40 percent and long-lasting corrosion protection suited for harsh climates.

Already proven in rigorous field testing, the technology has been applied to 49-inch and 57-inch tyre series with remarkable results. It acts as a resilient mechanical anchor within the tyre's structure, deeply securing each steel cord to create a far more integrated and robust assembly. This engineering advancement reduces delamination failures by more than 95 percent and extends overall tyre service life by over 15 percent, directly addressing the costly cycle of premature scrapping.

The successful deployment of EnsureX Efficient Technology marks a significant leap forward in OTR tyre capability. By providing a stronger, more durable and stable solution, it not only elevates safety and efficiency for mining operations but also solidifies a new standard of performance through independent innovation in high-end tyre manufacturing.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Apollo Tyres is preparing to introduce the Vredestein Quatrac Pro 2, a next-generation ultra-high-performance all-season tyre slated for release in the summer of 2026. This product is engineered with a completely new architecture, innovative materials and an advanced directional tread to achieve leading performance standards. It is specifically designed for compatibility with contemporary electric and hybrid vehicles, offering low rolling resistance and minimal noise alongside a reinforced structure to accommodate their greater weight without compromising dynamic response.

This breakthrough tyre is conceived as a versatile, performance-focused option suitable for a broad range of vehicles, including sports cars, high-performance saloons and SUVs, and will be available in a wide selection of sizes. The launch continues the Vredestein brand's longstanding leadership in the all-season category, a segment it has helped define since the 1990s and where it currently offers the most comprehensive product range.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

CEAT Ltd reported strong growth in the December quarter, supported by higher volumes, improving operating margins and continued investment in capacity expansion, while flagging near-term pressure from currency movement and raw material costs.

The tyre maker posted consolidated revenue of INR 41.57 billion for the third quarter of FY26, up about 26 percent year on year. Standalone revenue rose 20.1 percent to INR 39.57 billion, driven by growth across replacement, OEM and international markets.

“This was a good Q3 for us, with more than 20 per cent year-on-year growth on a standalone basis,” said Arnab Banerjee, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. “Volume momentum continued across segments, supported by GST rationalisation, improving consumer sentiment and steady recovery in OEM demand.”

Demand outlook remains supportive

Management said the Indian tyre market entered calendar 2025 on a stronger footing, aided by tax reforms, rising electric vehicle adoption and premiumisation. CEAT expects the industry to deliver healthy single-digit growth over the medium term.

“Increasing disposable income in rural markets following robust rabi sowing and kharif harvest completion has been supportive,” Banerjee said, adding that replacement demand for truck and bus radials is expected to remain in the mid-to-high single digits, with seasonal upside during the summer months.

Two-wheeler tyres continued to perform strongly, while OEM demand for medium and light commercial vehicles recovered following GST rationalisation. Passenger vehicle demand is expected to grow at double-digit rates in the near term, supported by easing financing conditions.

International demand for radial commercial vehicle and passenger car tyres remained firm, with India emerging as a credible sourcing base for global OEMs and distributors.

Margins improve despite cost headwinds

Standalone EBITDA rose to INR 5.56 billion, translating into a margin of 14.1 per cent. Consolidated EBITDA stood at INR 5.68 billion, with margins improving both sequentially and year on year.

Gross margins, however, contracted sequentially by about 109 basis points, largely due to currency depreciation and inventory adjustments.

“The depreciation of the rupee and a modest rise in international natural rubber prices could result in a 1 to 1.5 per cent cost headwind over the next few quarters,” said Kumar Subbiah, Chief Financial Officer. “While crude-linked inputs remain stable, currency remains the key variable to watch.”

Standalone profit after tax came in at INR 1.92 billion, compared with INR 2.02 billion in the previous quarter. The decline reflected a one-time provision of INR 578 million linked to new labour code implementation.

“This provision largely relates to past service costs,” Subbiah said. “The ongoing quarterly impact going forward is expected to be minimal.”

Camso integration on track

CEAT said the integration of its Camso off-highway tyre business is progressing broadly as planned. Quarterly revenue stood at about USD 20 million, reflecting the ongoing transition of customer relationships from Michelin to CEAT.

“Most existing customers have approved the business transfer, ensuring continuity,” Banerjee said. “There are some one-time transition and IT costs in Q3, which will not recur from Q4 onwards.”

Management said underlying operating margins at Camso are already in double digits and are expected to improve further as utilisation rises and CEAT gains greater control over sourcing and sales.

Capex remains elevated

Capital expenditure during the quarter stood at INR 2.54 billion, taking cumulative spend for the year to INR 6.73 billion, excluding acquisition-related intangibles.

The board approved an additional INR 13.14 billion investment at the Chennai plant to add 3.5 million passenger car tyres of annual capacity, with completion targeted for the second half of FY28. The project will be funded through a mix of internal accruals and debt.

“Our capex guidance remains broadly in line with earlier estimates,” Subbiah said. “We will continue to monitor leverage closely to ensure balance sheet strength.”

Standalone gross debt stood at INR 29.54 billion, with debt-to-EBITDA improving to 1.25 times.

EV, premiumisation and sustainability

CEAT maintained a strong position in electric vehicle tyres, with more than 30 per cent share in OEM passenger EV tyres and about 20 per cent in two-wheeler EVs. The company continues to invest in premium products, including larger rim-size, run-flat and ZR-rated tyres, to improve realisations.

On sustainability, CEAT announced a partnership with CleanMax to develop 59 MW of hybrid wind-solar capacity, targeting about 60 per cent renewable energy usage by FY27.

“Q3 closed on a strong note, supported by a robust product pipeline and improving customer confidence,” Banerjee said. “We remain focused on sustaining growth while maintaining margin discipline and investing for the long term.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!