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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Bridgestone India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, has introduced a new brand campaign titled ‘Feel the Bridgestone Difference’. The initiative centres on the often-overlooked role of tyres as the sole critical contact point between a vehicle and the road. While every car is designed with a specific performance level in mind, the campaign argues that a vehicle can only realise its true potential when equipped with the appropriate tyres.

According to the campaign, tyres influence control, safety, confidence and driving smoothness far more than most drivers realise. Even the most well-engineered car delivers an incomplete experience without proper tyre fitment. Bridgestone positions its products as the key to unlocking a vehicle’s full capabilities, allowing drivers to feel a tangible difference on every journey. Over the past 30 years, Bridgestone India has focused on technology, manufacturing excellence, innovation and quality to build products that stand apart.

A key highlight of the campaign is the company’s commitment to staying ahead of industry standards without compromise. Bridgestone tyres offer benefits including better grip, stronger braking, smoother handling, lower road noise, improved fuel efficiency and longer tyre life. Drawing inspiration from nature, the campaign features animals such as the mountain goat, cheetah and rhino to symbolise grip, speed, strength and control in challenging terrains. This creative approach mirrors how Bridgestone tyres are engineered to perform across India’s diverse road and driving conditions.

The campaign serves as a reminder that while every car has built-in potential, the right tyres bring it to life. Promoted across multiple platforms nationwide, the initiative reinforces Bridgestone India’s long-standing promise of performance, safety and reliability for every driver.

Rajiv Sharma, Executive Director – Sales and Marketing, Bridgestone India, said, “Bridgestone has been a trusted name for Indian consumers, and that trust has come from consistently delivering safe, high-quality products and a superior driving experience. Our customers have experienced the Bridgestone difference over the years – whether in better control, smoother rides or long-lasting performance. ‘Feel the Bridgestone Difference’ is a campaign people will instantly relate to because it reflects something they have already felt. With this campaign, we want to take that experience to a larger audience and help more people understand how the right tyre fitment can completely transform the way a car performs.”

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ZC Rubber showcased its full brand portfolio at TyreXpo Asia 2026 in Bangkok, drawing attention from customers, distributors and industry partners across Southeast Asia and other global markets. The Chinese manufacturer presented six of its brands at the event: WESTLAKE, GOODRIDE, CHAOYANG, TRAZANO, GOLDEN CROWN and ORNATE.

The Bangkok exhibition, recognised as a key Asian gathering for the tyre industry, brought together resources from the tyre sector, automotive aftermarket and related supply chains. This provided ZC Rubber with a strategic platform to demonstrate its brand strength, exchange market intelligence and pursue deeper regional cooperation.

Among the six brands on display, WESTLAKE and GOODRIDE drew particular interest from professional visitors due to their dependable performance and wide market adaptability. The additional presence of CHAOYANG, TRAZANO, GOLDEN CROWN and ORNATE further broadened the company’s ability to address varied market segments and customer applications. A major highlight was the X-Elite commercial tyre series, launched in 2025, which has already entered multiple overseas markets and gained strong recognition from fleets, dealers and end users for its durability, mileage and resilience in demanding conditions.

Representatives from Thailand’s Ministry of Energy visited the ZC Rubber booth during the show, learning about the company’s brand structure, product uses and Asian market development. Their visit underscored local interest in tyre industry and supply chain progress, reinforcing ZC Rubber’s commitment to deepening its Southeast Asian presence. Moving forward, the company plans to leverage its multi-brand strategy, comprehensive product lineup and global service capabilities to deliver high-value tire solutions and unlock further growth opportunities across the region.

Shen Haoyu, Senior Vice President, ZC Rubber, said, “Asia is a key part of ZC Rubber’s global strategy. Through international platforms such as TyreXpo Asia, we are able to listen more closely to our customers while demonstrating to global partners ZC Rubber’s confidence, upward momentum and strength to grow with the market.”

Justin Cui, Asia Sales Director, ZC Rubber, said, “The Southeast Asian market is highly dynamic and continues to raise expectations for product adaptability and service responsiveness. We will continue to strengthen local market engagement, work closely with our partners and seize new growth opportunities together to create greater value for users across the region.”

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Apollo Tyres reported a 14 percent rise in fourth-quarter revenue, supported by strong demand in India’s replacement and original equipment segments.

The tyre maker said consolidated revenue from operations for the quarter ended March 2026 rose to INR 73.36 billion from INR 64.24 billion a year earlier. Operating profit increased 28 percent to INR 10.69 billion, while net profit rose to INR 6.31 billion from INR 1.85 billion in the corresponding quarter last year.

The company said the latest quarterly profit included the estimated after-tax impact of restructuring and impairment charges of INR 3.38 billion, disclosed as exceptional items, as well as a one-off tax reversal of INR 5.74 billion linked to the adoption of a concessional tax regime.

For the full financial year ended March 2026, consolidated revenue increased 9 percent to INR 284.71 billion from INR 261.23 billion a year earlier. Operating profit rose 16 percent to INR 41.43 billion, while net profit stood at INR 13.72 billion compared with INR 11.21 billion in the previous year.

Apollo Tyres said its Indian operations delivered their highest-ever quarterly revenue during the period. Truck and bus radial tyre sales grew by more than 20 percent in the fourth quarter.

Onkar Kanwar, chairman of Apollo Tyres, said performance in India remained “robust”, particularly in the replacement and original equipment segments, while European operations were in line with prevailing market conditions. He added that geopolitical tensions in West Asia continued to pose challenges, although the company remained optimistic about demand momentum in India, supported by positive rural sentiment.

Apollo Tyres Posts 14% Rise In Q4 Revenue

Apollo Tyres reported a 14 percent rise in fourth-quarter revenue, supported by strong demand in India’s replacement and original equipment segments.

The tyre maker said consolidated revenue from operations for the quarter ended March 2026 rose to INR 73.36 billion from INR 64.24 billion a year earlier. Operating profit increased 28 percent to INR 10.69 billion, while net profit rose to INR 6.31 billion from INR 1.85 billion in the corresponding quarter last year.

The company said the latest quarterly profit included the estimated after-tax impact of restructuring and impairment charges of INR 3.38 billion, disclosed as exceptional items, as well as a one-off tax reversal of INR 5.74 billion linked to the adoption of a concessional tax regime.

For the full financial year ended March 2026, consolidated revenue increased 9 percent to INR 284.71 billion from INR 261.23 billion a year earlier. Operating profit rose 16 percent to INR 41.43 billion, while net profit stood at INR 13.72 billion compared with INR 11.21 billion in the previous year.

Apollo Tyres said its Indian operations delivered their highest-ever quarterly revenue during the period. Truck and bus radial tyre sales grew by more than 20 percent in the fourth quarter.

Onkar Kanwar, chairman of Apollo Tyres, said performance in India remained “robust”, particularly in the replacement and original equipment segments, while European operations were in line with prevailing market conditions. He added that geopolitical tensions in West Asia continued to pose challenges, although the company remained optimistic about demand momentum in India, supported by positive rural sentiment.

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Dr Suttipong Angthong, Secretary-General of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC), attended the Royal Ceremony of the First Ploughing of the Season on 13 May 2026 at Sanam Luang ceremonial grounds.

Representing the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand, the ancient rite officially opened Thailand’s new rice-growing season, a centuries-old tradition meant to encourage and strengthen the spirit of farmers nationwide. Dr Angthong joined ambassadors and heads of international organisations in witnessing the sacred ceremony, which underscores agriculture’s profound importance to the Thai way of life.

Although focused on rice cultivation, the event carries significant weight for the natural rubber sector. Thailand remains the world’s leading producer and exporter of natural rubber, and the day served as a reminder of the dedication required to sustain that global position. Dr Angthong used the occasion to engage with international partners, reaffirming a shared commitment to agricultural workers’ welfare.

For the rubber industry, which supports millions of families and forms a cornerstone of the Thai economy, the ceremony symbolises a hopeful beginning for all who toil on the land. Dr Angthong expressed gratitude for the invitation and noted that the unity displayed by the international community highlights a collective responsibility to support sustainable growth and prosperity in agriculture.

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