However, as is evident now, we were caught unawares. Mutated strain of the virus took India in its stride as we were yet to work out a robust vaccination strategy. To curb the spread and manage the health emergency getting out of control in view of paucity of beds, oxygen and ventilators, a large number of states-imposed lockdowns and other restrictions which continue till date. 

As is normal under such circumstances, the economy bears the brunt and that is what seems to have happened. The fragile economic recovery seen in the second half of FY21 seems to have gone derailed. Consumer confidence has hit a new low as shown in a recent survey. Different rating agencies and multilateral organizations have downwardly revised the growth projections for the current fiscal year. From a bullish 11-13% growth (in view of base effect), the projections are now for growths in single digits only.

Needless to say, the pitch for economic revival is queered.  But, curiously, as Covid infections come off from the peak levels and the recovery rates go up, a new kind of confidence is building up. The infection rates are coming down with as much alacrity as they had peaked.

Certainly, there is no room for any complacency as premonitions of a third wave have already been made. However, the vaccination strategy to inoculate a large number of Indians by the end of the year holds much hope. It has been observed that those countries that have already inoculated over 50% of their population have witnessed much less morbidity and mortality rates.

What also holds out hope are a range of high frequency indicators which show the resilience of the Indian economy and the entrepreneurship that shines through whenever an opportunity is provided. The economic growth in the fourth quarter of last fiscal has been better than expected. From a contraction of 24.4% and 7.4% in the first and second quarters, the economy turned around in the third one with 0.5% growth and ended the year with 1.6% growth in Q4.

There are a range of other indicators too. Industrial performance measured by IIP grew by 22.3 percent in March. Merchandise exports grew by 197 percent in April. The output of eight core infrastructure sectors grew by robust 7% in March. Manufacturing PMI has remained at a high of over 55 in March and April. GST revenue collection set a new record of Rs. 1.4 lakh crore in April.

If the tyre  production data for FY21, as released recently, is anything to go by, Tyre Industry will continue to put the wheels of economy in motion against all odds. No doubt, Tyre Industry's overall numbers are down in FY21. However when looked closely, there is ample evidence that points to the resilience  in the sector. Truck & Bus (T&B) tyre production, the bellwether of economy has turned in better performance in FY21 over FY20. And this despite the fact that April’20 was a washout in view of nationwide lockdown. Both T&B and Passenger Car tyre production touched significantly higher figures in March this year with T&B tyre production crossing 20 lakh numbers, a historic high.

FY21 will also go down as a landmark year when Radial Truck & Bus tyre production equalled that of Bias tyre production. Tyre exports from India have charted an upward trajectory in the second half of previous fiscal as the stability was achieved in the exports markets.

Forecast of a normal monsoon (third in a row) and the upcoming festive season can provide much-needed impetus to the economy if vaccination drive accelerates and Covid appropriate measures are followed strictly.

No doubt, the situation is still in a flux, and it is too nascent to gauge the true impact of the second wave on economic growth.  But ramping up the vaccination drive and inoculating the entire adult population as early as possible will help.

And there is a major shift again in the vaccination policy. As this column gets on the editor’s desk, the federal government has decided to provide free coronavirus vaccines to states for inoculation of all above the age of 18.

FY 21 could not live up to the expectations that most Indians had. Hope the next year will. (TT)

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Michelin has been named the world’s most valuable tyre brand for the ninth consecutive year, according to a new report by Brand Finance. The French company’s brand value rose 17 percent to reach USD 10.3 billion. Michelin also retained its title as the strongest tyre brand globally, achieving a Brand Strength Index score of 93.2 out of 100 and remaining the only tyre manufacturer with a AAA+ rating.

This achievement further positioned Michelin as France’s strongest brand in 2026 and marked its first entry into the world’s top 10 strongest brands across all industries. Bridgestone held second place among tyre brands with a six percent increase in value to USD 8.8 billion, while Continental Tires stayed third at USD 3.9 billion.

The world’s top 25 tyre brands together are now worth USD 42.3 billion, a nine percent year-on-year increase, despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain disruptions and intense sector competition. Giti was identified as the fastest-growing tyre brand of 2026, with a 38 percent jump in value to USD 1.5 billion, closely followed by China’s Sailun, which grew 37 percent to USD 1.2 billion.

Several other Chinese brands, including Linglong, Triangle Tyre, Sentury Tire and newcomer Double Coin, continue to expand their international presence. Apollo Tyres recorded the largest rise in Brand Strength Index score among the top 25, reaching 80.6 out of 100, reflecting stronger consumer perceptions, growing brand equity in India and increased global visibility.

Lorenzo Coruzzi, Valuation Director, Brand Finance, said, “Michelin’s continued leadership demonstrates the enduring value of a strong brand in a highly competitive market. Its exceptional performance across key research metrics such as reputation, consideration and price acceptance reinforces the strength of its position in major markets worldwide. At the same time, the rapid growth of brands across Asia-Pacific such as Giti, Sailun and Apollo shows that competitive dynamics within the tyre sector are evolving quickly, with challenger brands successfully building credibility and market presence on a global scale."

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Apollo Tyres Ltd has recorded a significant improvement in brand strength within its domestic Indian market, according to a fresh independent assessment from Brand Finance. The analysis, which focuses on the world’s strongest and most valuable tyre brands, places Apollo Tyres as the fastest climber in the latest rankings.

The evaluation follows ISO 20671 standards and examines factors such as marketing investment, stakeholder equity and business performance using proprietary market research and public data. Brands are assessed primarily in their leading markets, with region-specific scores shaping the overall findings. Apollo Tyres’ progress has been fuelled by globally activated sports sponsorships, product innovation, customer engagement, new distribution networks and strategic marketing.

In the 2026 Brand Strength Index for global tyre brands, Apollo Tyres jumped from 13th place last year to 6th. Its Brand Strength Index score rose to 80.59 out of 100, up from 66.63 in the prior year. Consumer familiarity with the brand increased by 15.8 percent and brand understanding grew by 26.4 percent.

Key developments over the past year have driven this positive awareness, especially in India. In September 2025, Apollo Tyres became the lead sponsor of the Indian Cricket Team, securing title sponsorship rights for all home international matches involving both men’s and women’s teams, as well as domestic BCCI tournaments. The Apollo Tyres logo now appears prominently on the front and leading arm of the official Team India jersey.

Udyan Ghai, Group Head, Marketing, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “The new Brand Strength rankings provide important independent validation of our global marketing efforts. Whether through new products, enhanced services or improved accessibility, our focus remains on delivering value to customers while further strengthening the Apollo Tyres brand in markets around the world.”

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Bridgestone, alongside Kwik Fit, has announced a new two-year sponsorship deal with Camper Calling Festival covering 2026 and 2027. The partnership, which kicks off over the August Bank Holiday weekend, positions the tyre manufacturer as the Official Tyre Partner and the sponsor of the Lakeside Stage at the Warwickshire event.

Held at Ragley Hall from 28 to 30 August, the festival draws around 25,000 annual attendees, including campers, music fans and families. This collaboration provides a direct channel for Bridgestone and Kwik Fit to connect with that adventure-seeking audience in a relaxed, outdoor environment.

The timing aligns with the UK summer introduction of Bridgestone’s new Duravis Camper Van tyre. Engineered for the growing campervan segment, the premium tyre emphasises durability, safety and driving confidence. The festival setting offers an authentic lifestyle backdrop to showcase the product and strengthen Bridgestone’s reputation among British campervan users.

Drew Chapman, Consumer Sales Director, Bridgestone UK, said, “We’re delighted to announce that Bridgestone, in partnership with Kwik Fit, is joining the Camper Calling family as sponsor of the festival and the Lakeside Stage. The Lakeside Stage is one of the standout parts of Camper Calling, giving festivalgoers the chance to enjoy great live music in a brilliant setting. With our support, it’s set to be a real highlight of the weekend. This partnership reflects our shared ambition to help people enjoy every journey with confidence, focusing on what really matters to drivers – safety, reliability and peace of mind. It also gives us a strong platform to support the launch of the first ever Bridgestone Duravis Camper Van tyre.”

Andy Lane, Director of Marketing, Kwik Fit, said, “Camper Calling is a strong fit for Kwik Fit, giving us the chance to connect with campers, families and festivalgoers during one of the busiest travel weekends of the summer. Our partnership with Bridgestone brings together two trusted brands with a shared focus on helping drivers stay safe, prepared and ready for every journey. It also gives us a strong opportunity to show how Kwik Fit supports customers with practical, dependable service when it matters most. We’re looking forward to bringing the partnership to life at Ragley Hall and showing how Kwik Fit can help keep people moving with confidence, whether they’re setting off for the festival or heading home again afterwards.”

David Arthur, Managing Director of Camper Calling, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Bridgestone and Kwik Fit as official partners of Camper Calling. Both brands are synonymous with quality, reliability and helping people enjoy the journey, which makes them a natural fit for our festival campers.”

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TyreSafe has issued a fresh warning to families during Child Safety Week, emphasising that protecting children on the road requires attention beyond just child car seats. The road safety charity urges parents and carers to consider the entire vehicle’s condition before every journey, particularly the tyres, which are critical for braking, grip and overall control.

The organisation stresses that while correctly fitted child restraints offer vital protection during a collision, vehicle safety begins before a crash ever occurs. Worn, damaged or underinflated tyres can significantly increase stopping distances and compromise a vehicle’s ability to respond in an emergency, undermining the protection that child seats are designed to provide.

This guidance aligns with the government’s new Road Safety Strategy, which aims to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 65 percent overall and by 70 percent for children under 16 by 2035. TyreSafe notes that achieving these targets depends on a Safe System approach, where multiple layers of safety work together. Recent data from Good Egg Safety CIC community checks reinforces this point, revealing that approximately two thirds of inspected child restraints are incorrectly fitted or unsuitable due to issues such as slack seat belts, loose bases, misrouted belts or improperly adjusted support legs and carry handles.

To help families act, TyreSafe promotes its simple ACT checklist. Air pressure should be checked regularly against the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended levels. Condition must be inspected for cuts, bulges, cracks or embedded objects. Tread depth must meet the legal minimum of 1.6 mm with no uneven wear. These checks are especially important given that children must use an appropriate car seat until age 12 or until they reach 135 centimetres in height.

As part of Child Safety Week, TyreSafe is supporting local initiatives across UK, including free child car seat checking events in West Yorkshire delivered with West Yorkshire Vision Zero and Good Egg Safety CIC. Selected sessions will also offer free tyre safety checks and practical advice. TyreSafe encourages families to attend such events and remember that every part of the journey matters when it comes to protecting children on the road.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “A correctly fitted child seat offers vital protection, but it is only one part of the safety picture. Tyres are the only contact between the vehicle and the road and have a direct impact on braking, grip and control. If tyres are not properly maintained, stopping distances increase and vehicle performance can be affected – particularly in emergency situations or poor weather conditions. Keeping children safe means looking at the whole journey and the whole vehicle. Simple checks can make a significant difference.”

Janis James MBE, Chief Executive of Good Egg Safety CIC, said, “Parents and carers go to extraordinary lengths to protect the children they love, yet our national data consistently shows that around two thirds of child car seats are being used incorrectly – often by caring families who simply don’t realise something is wrong. The encouraging news is that many of the issues we identify can usually be corrected quickly with the support of our highly experienced and accredited Safety Advisors, potentially making a life-saving difference in the event of a collision. By working alongside TyreSafe at selected events, we are supporting the wider Safe System approach – helping families stay safer both inside and outside the vehicle.”

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