The benefits of this are multiple. First of all, they don’t need to offer the full range of sizes to stake their claim as a racing tyre manufacturer. And I need to stress I’m talking about road car racing, not F1 racers, as those tyres are basically rocket science at this point. Many Chinese factories seem to have launched their racing tyre range for a very specific purpose, as they only have a few sizes, and sometimes very odd ones. For example, I saw a factory with just three different sizes for their racing tyre pattern, and one of them was 255/55R18. Just in case you want to rock your BMW X5 on the racing track, maybe? I can’t help but giggle at the image of drifting SUVs. Secondly, they don’t even need to be very good at it, or to be able to make very innovative products. It’s much easier to develop a product for a very specific purpose and just make it ‘good enough’, without engaging in the top five percent where all the heavy investment and R&D is needed to churn out those milliseconds that make all the difference for the top performers. Actually, when catering to the segment that just wants to burn tyres – drifters, for example – the usually all-important grip factor suddenly becomes negligible. And offering a budget option is attractive to those burning tyres on their own bill.

Design wise also racing tyres are very different from regular car tyres, in that they’re basically slicks with a flashy looking single lightning groove from close to the centre to the edge. Hard to make that design truly unique, but that also means that nobody can be blamed when designing something a bit too similar to something already on the market. Function before looks in this case, I’m sure. And in terms of rubber compounds, there are usually two or three different ones, depending on specific client needs, and they’re made to order. The hardest compounds are naturally for the drifters, and the softer ones for track racing.

But, in spite of the designs being simple, compounds not challenging to make, and the fact that the size range doesn’t need to be extensive, launching a racing tyre range still somehow reflects positively on all the regular passenger car tyres in the manufacturer’s range. As if the fact that they can design and produce tyres for high-performance racing machines also means that their standard range offers better handling or on-road performance to vehicles run by weekend warriors or others who might drive a station wagon, but really are race car drivers at heart.

That is, of course, if the Chinese budget manufacturers used this in their global marketing strategy – and in most cases, had one to begin with. The days where Chinese tyres could be sold on price alone are over, as output has far exceeded demand, but it’s striking to see how few have actually invested in their future market shares. For the layman, trying to name five major Chinese tyre manufacturers (or any of their brands) would be a tall order. Trying to name any that produce racing tyres would be even harder. Even for those inside the industry, very few know how many produce racing tyres or other specialised tyre products, because they often produce for a single client and don’t use this in active marketing. And no, a ‘sales manager’ posting a picture on LinkedIn doesn’t count. The brands and tyre manufacturers in China that will prevail are those able to build a global marketing strategy and naturally possess the skills to stay at the front of product development and gradually move out of the ultra-budget segment. The rest will learn the hardship of selling cheap tyres on price alone when China isn’t cheap anymore. (TT)

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Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) has been honoured with the ‘Highest Revenue Business – Southern Region’ award at the Prachachat Business Awards 2026. The recognition, presented during a ceremony at Paragon Hall in Bangkok on 28 May 2026, is based on performance metrics and tax contributions evaluated by Prachachat Business News, the Department of Business Development and Creden Asia Company.

This accolade underscores STA’s pivotal role in advancing Thailand’s natural rubber sector and its dedication to sustainable, stable growth. The company continues to enhance competitiveness and operational efficiency while generating value for stakeholders, including farmers, partners, employees and investors. Amid global industry shifts, STA is committed to raising domestic rubber standards and strengthening its international market position.

The organisation prioritises responsible supply chain management, transparency and strong corporate governance. By integrating digital platforms and artificial intelligence, STA is modernising data connectivity across its operations, facilitating the industry’s transformation into the digital age and ensuring long-term resilience.

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Doublestar Tire showcased its European-market product portfolio at The Tire Cologne 2026, held in Germany from 9 to 11 June. The international exposition drew specialists from more than 100 countries and served as a venue for presenting sector-wide progress in sustainable manufacturing, intelligent production systems, and advanced material science. For Chinese tyre makers, the fair represents a strategic avenue into the European arena, and the company used this opportunity to reinforce its commercial momentum within the region.

Visitor interest at the manufacturer's stand remained high throughout the event, with many industry peers examining the aesthetic qualities and technical specifications of the displayed items. Product offerings fell into two principal categories, heavy-duty solutions and light-vehicle tyres, each engineered to satisfy distinct operational demands prevalent across European roads.

Among the commercial range, the DLD816 all-weather tyre emerged as a notable entry for extended haulage operations. Its construction incorporates cold-weather features and a reformulated rubber layer that extends operational lifespan, while closely spaced tread patterns furnish dependable grip under varied climatic circumstances. Stopping distance reductions on frozen surfaces received particular attention from logistics professionals.

The passenger side featured the DSU08 summer variant, which employs refined dynamic control architecture to harmonise acoustic comfort with responsive steering and durable construction. With a newly operational production facility in Cambodia complementing its European launch, the enterprise continues to cultivate its overseas standing through sustained client engagement and incremental market development.

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Continental is showcasing an expanded military tyre portfolio at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris, with exhibits on display in Hall 5B at Booth A197. The lineup addresses a broad spectrum of operational needs, ranging from lightweight off-road vehicles to heavy logistics trucks and tactical deployment units, with a focus on maintaining mobility across difficult terrain, extreme loads and high-speed conditions.

Trade visitors to the Continental stand can examine flagship products such as the SOT Traction for heavy tactical platforms, the HCS for medium tactical and logistics vehicles and the Grabber X3 for light off-road applications. Each tyre is engineered for dependable performance on soft ground and in rugged environments, while the company’s sales representatives remain on-site throughout the event for individualized consultations to match specific mission profiles with appropriate tyre solutions.

Tyres in this category are distinguished by specialised tread designs, reinforced load-bearing capacities and adjusted speed ratings, alongside rugged constructions that ensure reliability during off-road operations. Continental develops these products through close cooperation with global customers, including national armed forces and original equipment manufacturers, integrating real-world operational feedback into the design process.

The company is actively broadening its defence-oriented tyre range, with all models conforming to stringent international standards for durability, safety and performance under extreme conditions. Longstanding partnerships in the military sector inform continuous product refinement, incorporating direct input on performance requirements. Eurosatory, held biennially in Paris, serves as a premier global venue for defence and security technology, drawing manufacturers, suppliers, military leadership and international delegations.

Matthis Riekemann, Project Lead at Continental responsible for developing the company’s military tyre business, said, “Eurosatory provides the ideal platform to present our expanded tyre portfolio for military vehicles. With our extensive experience in the tyre industry, technological expertise and global presence, as well as our distribution and service network, we deliver advanced tyre solutions that are precisely tailored to our customers’ needs.”

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Michelin has expanded its retail network in Rajasthan by opening a new Michelin Tyres & Services outlet in Bikaner. The facility results from a partnership with Bhagwati Tyres and is situated on Jaipur Road near the Khatu Shyam Temple. This location is intended to improve regional access to the company’s premium tyre products and advanced automotive care.

The 7,000-square-foot establishment functions as a contemporary mobility hub with customer-focused infrastructure. Shoppers can find high-end tyres for passenger cars and two-wheelers, while on-site technicians provide wheel alignment, balancing and nitrogen inflation. The official opening ceremony featured Annu Mehla, the North and East B2C regional sales head, alongside representatives from Bhagwati Tyres.

Bhagwati Motors Nokha Private Limited has operated in Rajasthan since 2006 and possesses more than 20 years of local market experience. The firm has made substantial investments in spacious retail spaces to elevate the tyre buying experience. Through its collaboration with Michelin, the enterprise seeks to offer tyre solutions that emphasise safety, longevity and strong performance, thereby aiding the region’s automotive sector.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said, “As mobility aspirations continue to evolve across India, we are seeing growing demand for premium products and high-quality automotive services beyond traditional metropolitan markets. Bikaner represents an important growth market for Michelin in Rajasthan, driven by increasing vehicle ownership and a rising appreciation for performance and safety. This expansion is aligned with our plans to introduce Made-in-India passenger car tyres, reinforcing our commitment to delivering globally benchmarked products tailored for Indian consumers.”

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