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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The Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund has announced over USD 1.13 million in grant funding for the first half of 2026, with more than USD 575,000 directly supporting nonprofit organisations across Middle Tennessee. These community impact grants underscore the company’s enduring dedication to the regions where it operates, fosters innovation and employs thousands of team members.

In Nashville, priority area grants included USD 100,000 for road safety initiatives alongside the Civic Design Center and another USD 100,000 for the capital-building campaign of Second Harvest Food Bank. On a national level, the Trust Fund sustained multi-year partnerships by awarding USD 130,000 to Truckers Against Trafficking and USD 150,000 to Techforce Foundation, efforts that uphold human dignity, combat human trafficking and expand automotive workforce access through scholarships and development programmes.

Established in 1952, the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund draws on over seven decades of charitable giving, evolving with the company’s business while remaining grounded in the belief that strong communities drive long-term success. Earlier in 2026, Bridgestone Corporation was named the highest-ranked tire manufacturer on the Forbes Best Brands for Social Impact list, securing the 20th spot among the nation’s top 300 brands.

Wade Munday, Director – Corporate Philanthropy and Social Impact, Bridgestone Americas, said, “Community investment is not separate from our business – it’s part of how we operate as one of the world's largest tyre manufacturers. Through these grants, we’re helping support organisations that understand their communities deeply and are delivering real, measurable impact. That’s true whether the work is happening in our hometown of Nashville or in communities across the country where our teammates move, live, work and play.”

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The Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC) has released a new Probe Research survey showing that high gasoline prices are dramatically altering Canadian driving habits this summer. Two-thirds of motorists say fuel costs will force them to cancel or shorten road trips, yet 81 percent still plan at least one day trip or overnight stay. Seventy percent of respondents believe expensive fuel is the new normal rather than a temporary fluctuation.

Travel patterns are turning inward, with more Canadians opting to remain close to home. More than two-thirds have no plans for a United States road trip in 2026, while over half had already scrapped cross-border travel last year. Only one in ten drivers expects to head south of the border by car this year, marking a sharp retreat from international driving.

A significant disconnect exists between Canadian drivers’ tyre maintenance knowledge and their daily habits. Most understand that proper inflation boosts fuel efficiency, extends tyre life, prevents blowouts and improves handling. However, regular pressure checks remain uncommon. While 93 percent agree proper inflation is vital for safety and 85 percent know it saves fuel, only 35 percent of those with digital pressure displays check their tyres routinely. Among drivers without such displays, a mere 16 percent follow the monthly check recommendation.

Technical misunderstandings are widespread. Two-thirds of drivers do not know that pressure must be measured when tyres are cold. Nearly three in ten mistakenly use the sidewall stamp, which lists maximum load pressure rather than the recommended level, leading to uneven wear and reduced traction. Eleven percent rely on visual inspections or admit ignorance about proper inflation, even though a tyre can be underinflated by 20 percent or more and appear normal.

Using Statistics Canada data showing 43.8 billion litres of gasoline purchased in 2024, TRAC calculated substantial potential savings. United States Department of Energy studies indicate proper inflation improves fuel economy by 0.6 percent on average. Applied nationally, that would save 262.8 million litres of fuel annually, preventing over 600,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions. At April 2026 fuel prices of 1.69 dollars per litre, those savings translate to approximately 444 million dollars. Tyre manufacturers are also developing low rolling resistance tyres with specialised tread patterns and lighter materials, which can improve fuel economy by two to four percent, saving hundreds of dollars over a tyre’s lifespan.

The online survey of 1,000 Canadian drivers was conducted between 6 and 14 April 2026, using a national panel. A probability sample of this size would yield a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Carol Hochu, President and CEO, Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, said, “With gas prices continuing to impact travel plans, many Canadians are looking for practical ways to save at the pump. Proper tyre inflation is one of the simplest ways to improve fuel economy and vehicle safety. Regular tyre pressure checks, reducing idling, maintaining a steady speed, accelerating gently and coasting to decelerate all contribute to better fuel economy and meaningful savings at the pump.

“The good news is that the majority of vehicles on the roads today provide drivers with real-time tyre pressure information, giving those drivers the opportunity to maintain their tyre pressure more consistently. Drivers without this technology tend to be less consistent in checking tyre pressure, which leads to reduced fuel economy, shorter tyre life and ultimately higher operating costs. As tyre pressure monitoring systems become universal, drivers will be better equipped to maintain proper tyre pressure and improve fuel efficiency, safety and tyre life.”

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Goodyear returns to the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps this weekend for the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship season. All 18 LMGT3 entries will compete on Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres at the demanding Belgian track, where the versatile Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium compound has been selected to handle the circuit’s famously unpredictable conditions.

Unlike the previous round at Imola, Spa’s high-speed layout, long straights and dramatic elevation changes place sustained loads on tyres, especially through the compression at Eau Rouge. This makes the Belgian track one of the most aggressive for tire degradation, with a steeper performance drop-off expected over a stint. While differing tire strategies shaped the race at Imola, Spa is expected to reward a more direct, single-stint approach as teams focus on extracting maximum performance from each set.

Given Spa’s location in the Ardennes, highly variable weather is always a possibility, so teams will also have access to the Goodyear Racing Eagle Wet tyre, designed to disperse surface water and provide grip in the rain. Elsewhere this weekend, Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres will be in action at Watkins Glen International for three NASCAR series and at Brands Hatch’s Indy layout for the British Touring Car Championship.

Stephen Bickley, Goodyear Endurance Program Manager, said, “We expect to see less variation in race strategies at Spa. The nature of the circuit means degradation is higher, so teams will focus on extracting maximum performance and are likely to equip new tyres at each stop. There is no left-right bias at Spa, and the load profile doesn’t lend itself to changing only front or rear tyres, so teams may still look to extend stints under safety car or full course yellow conditions, but we expect to see the baseline strategy being more consistent.

“The Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium tyre has proven it can perform at a range of tracks, support front, mid and rear-engined cars and deliver what both professional and amateur drivers in this pro-am class want. At Imola, tyre temperature management was never a concern for LMGT3 teams, even on such a demanding and unpredictable track. Should conditions turn wet at Spa, teams can rely on the Goodyear Racing Eagle Wet tire as a proven and effective solution.”

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Apollo Tyres has unveiled the Apterra HT5, a new premium highway terrain tyre aimed squarely at the core SUV segment in India. The tyre is engineered for popular models such as the Fortuner, Endeavour and Scorpio, promising strong grip, long life, comfort and durability across both highway and demanding driving conditions. Designed and developed at the company’s Global R&D Centre in Chennai, the Apterra HT5 will be produced at manufacturing facilities in Andhra Pradesh and Chennai, featuring a beast-like stance that channels raw power and silent control.

The tyre incorporates several technical advancements to meet diverse driver needs. Long lasting durability comes from advanced Armour Technology and a Hybrid Fill Compound, offering cut resistance, improved mileage and extended tread life. Superior grip is achieved through a Dynamic Pattern design that adapts to varying road conditions for enhanced traction and confident braking at higher speeds. Enhanced comfort is delivered by precision-engineered tread sipes that balance block stiffness to absorb road harshness, resulting in a smoother driving experience.

India’s SUV market now follows two distinct usage patterns, with traditional rugged SUV users prioritising durability and mileage while new-generation SUV drivers focus on performance, grip and road presence. The Apterra HT5 bridges these two worlds with a single versatile solution, removing the need for trade-offs. Through this launch, Apollo Tyres reinforces its commitment to innovation and customer-centric engineering, adapting to the evolving expectations of SUV owners across the country.

Dahiya, Vice President, Commercial (India, SAARC and South-east Asia), Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “Apterra HT5 represents our deep understanding of how India’s SUV market is evolving. Today’s SUV owners expect a product that can keep up with demanding usage while also delivering performance and comfort. With Apterra HT5, we have engineered a tyre that brings together durability, mileage, grip and refinement in one offering, ensuring our customers no longer must choose between toughness and driving experience.”

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