German tyre major Continental has announced that Dr Jochen Etzel, Chief Executive Officer of Continental Tire the Americas, is set to retire of 1 May 2025, after spending over three decades with the company.

He is set to be succeeded by Tansu Işık and will also take on the responsibility as the new Head of Continental’s Business Area Replacement Tires the Americas. He (Işık) will report to Christian Koetz, Executive Board Member of Continental and Head of Continental Tires.

The German major acknowledges Etzel’s contribution to Continental’s tyre business in the Americas, where he took on the responsibility in 2011. He is credited for uniting the various Continental tyre activities in the region and further strengthening their competitive position. Starting his career as a lawyer in Continental’s corporate law department Etzel took over a financial manager position, responsible for developing the company’s tyre business in regions outside of Europe, before leading Continental’s corporate Mergers and Acquisitions team. 

Christian Koetz, said, "Jochen’s impact on Continental’s tyre business has been immeasurable. On behalf of the entire Tires Board, I want to sincerely thank him for his leadership, dedication and outstanding contributions throughout his tenure. We wish him a well-deserved and fulfilling retirement. At the same time, we are excited to welcome Tansu Işık into his new role as Head of our Business Area Replacement Tires the Americas. With his deep tires expertise and strategic insight, he is perfectly equipped to build on our success and lead our tire business in the Americas into the future."

With over 20 years of international experience, Işık has held various positions across Continental’s tyres business, including marketing, supply chain, strategy and key account management.

Starting his career as a Business Development Specialist in Istanbul, Türkiye, Işık moved to Continental Tires’ Headquarters in Hanover, Germany, as Head of Pricing for the region Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). He then took on the role of Direct and then Vice President for Key Account Management (OE) for China and the Asia-Pacific region. At present, Işık serves as the Head of Region South & Channels Fleet and OE Trailer for Continental replacement tyre business in the EMEA region.

The European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA) has welcomed the European Commission's Automotive Industrial Plan for recognising that urgent action is needed to safeguard Europe’s competitiveness and sustainability. However, the association feels that a more ambitious and inclusive approach – one that considers all the players and stakeholders in the automotive ecosystem, including the tyre industry – is essential for securing Europe's industrial leadership.

Emphasising on the importance of the tyre industry, ETRMA Secretary General Adam McCarthy said, “Tyres are not just another vehicle component; they determine a vehicle’s performances when it comes to safety, impact on environment, consumption or battery duration. Indeed, without the tyre the vehicle, and economy, does not move. Now more than ever, we need a policy framework that supports the industry in Europe, enhances our competitiveness, promotes sustainability and enables innovation. The tyre industry, like other independent service providers, relies on real-time vehicle data to develop innovative solutions, improve safety and enhance customer experience. The Commission's proposal to consider further action only after assessing the Data Act's effects delays the potential benefits that could be reaped from establishing a robust framework for immediate data access.”

Additionally, he stated that in order to lower expenses and legal ambiguities and increase the appeal of investing in research and development and European production, the Commission's regulatory simplification package for the automobile sector should be easier to execute. "The Commission's commitment to a fact-finding exercise to gather input from market participants on recycling is a step in the right direction," McCarthy said, adding that policies should support the adoption of retreaded tyres, help expand the secondary materials market by harmonising End-of-Waste criteria for tyre-derived materials and improve extended producer responsibility schemes. However, progress will remain slow without clear timelines and tangible policy incentives. In order to increase tyre longevity and decrease waste, he further recommended that policies encourage the use of high-performance, energy-efficient tyres and provide incentives for retreading as a sustainable activity.

Talking about the plan’s focus on critical raw materials, McCarthy opined that the focus is too narrow because it prioritises battery production but overlooks natural rubber. “Rubber is essential for tyres and numerous automotive components, from wiper blades to seals and electrical insulation, collectively weighing as much as the four tyres combined. Ensuring a predictable and secure supply of rubber, a material subject to global supply chain vulnerabilities, is vital for supporting European production. and maintaining competitiveness and mobility,” said McCarthy.

“A competitive, sustainable and resilient automotive sector depends on the inclusion of all the actors in the ecosystem. The announced dialogues with industry players should not overlook the importance of tyres in vehicle efficiency, road safety and sustainability. ETRMA remains committed to engaging with the Commission and stakeholders to take decisive action that strengthens the entire mobility ecosystem – including the tyre industry – so that European manufacturing remains resilient, sustainable and globally competitive,” concluded the ETRMA Secretary General.

CEAT, one of the leading tyre manufacturers in the country, has further expanded its SportDrive range with new products targeting the luxury four-wheeler and ultra-high-performance passenger vehicles segment.

The company has introduced the Run-Flat tyres, which can withstand punctures and can be safely driven at considerable speeds for upto 80 km before needing to be repaired. This also makes CEAT the first Indian tyre maker to roll out such a product in the country.

Furthermore, it has also introduced 21-inch ZR-rated tyres that are designed to handle speeds upto 300 kmph, while also being quieter thanks to the CALM technology, which utilises special foam inside the tyre.

These tyres are targeted towards the premium luxury and high-performance car segment, which at present, makes up for a small percentage of the Indian passenger vehicle market. But the idea for CEAT to is establish its presence in the segment, as it pursues its ambition to be amongst the top 10 tyre makers globally.

L-R: Lakshmi Narayanan B, CMO, CEAT; Renji Issac, Head of R&D, CEAT; Arnab Banerjee, MD & CEO, CEAT and Vishal Pawar, Global Sales Head, CEAT, with the new range of SportDrive.

The company’s tyres will now be available for premium high-performance brands such as Jaguar, Lamborghini and Porsche. On the other hand, the CALM technology tyres along with Run-Flat Tyres will be available for brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Land Rover and Honda.

The company shared that these tyres have been developed in an extensive collaboration between the company’s Germany-based R&D Centre and Halol R&D Centre in Gujarat.

Renji Issac, Senior Vice-President and Head of R&D and Technology, CEAT, explained that the company combined ‘European capabilities and Indian sensibilities' to spawn high-performance tyres for the Indian and global markets.

What’s more these products are priced competitively at INR 15,000 to INR 20,000 for Run-Flat Tyres, INR 25,000 to INR 30,000 for the ZR-rated Ultra-High Performance CALM technology tyres.

Arnab Banerjee, MD & CEO, CEAT, said, “Under the new SportDrive range of tyres, CEAT with the launch of ZR-rated tyres, CALM Technology and Run-Flat tyres, strengthens its position as a premium, technology-driven brand. These innovations reflect our commitment to enhancing safety, comfort and performance for luxury and high-performance vehicle owners. We are proud to be the first Indian company to introduce Run-Flat tyres, reinforcing our leadership in the four-wheeler segment.”

Lakshmi Narayan B, CMO, CEAT, added, “CEAT’s latest innovations are a testament to our relentless pursuit of excellence in tyre engineering. The new range of SportsDrive with Run-Flat Tyres and ZR-rated tyres with CALM Technology have been rigorously tested at our state-of-the-art facilities in Germany, blending our rich Italian heritage with precise German engineering to deliver tyres that meet the exacting standards of luxury vehicle owners worldwide.”

The company will introduce the new range across key markets such as Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Pune, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Bengaluru, Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore, Madurai, Kerala, Hyderabad, Guwahati and Ahmedabad from April.

Trelleborg Tires has expanded its TM800 ProgressiveTraction tyre range with the launch of four new sizes: 480/65R28, 540/65R28, 600/65R38 and 650/65R38. The company is also planning to introduce additional sizes in the coming months to further strengthen the range to cover mid- to high-horsepower tractors.

The proprietary ProgressiveTraction technology from Trelleborg Tires was created to improve traction by optimising important tyre components through a variety of special features. Because of its unique double-edge lug, the tread increases traction and decreases slippage while improving grip on the ground. Concurrently, an additional lug serves as an extra terrace on the tread profile, enhancing its capacity for self-cleaning and boosting overall effectiveness. The ProgressiveTraction lugs' larger base also offers improved vibration resistance, which lowers wear and increases tyre life.

When compared to rivals' tyres, the TM800 ProgressiveTraction showed up to a 17 percent increase in traction on light dirt and a 10 percent boost on hard soil. The strengthened carcass guarantees greater vehicle handling and tyre performance, especially at high speeds, while the line's unique tread pattern design and premium materials offer up to 18 percent better wear resistance against competitors on the road. Additionally, the lugs' adjusted angle and form enhance driving comfort and stability, making all working actions safer, smoother and more pleasurable.

Alessio Bucci, Global Product Marketing Director, Trelleborg Tires, said, "This initiative underscores our dedication to meeting the evolving demands of modern agriculture. Advancing from our iconic TM800 line, we are enhancing this tyre range, continuing to set the standard for superior performance. These tyres are highly adaptable and can enhance tractors' overall operational efficiency, reducing working time per hectare, improving fuel economy and lowering total cost of ownership. The TM800 ProgressiveTraction is further proof of how our products can reduce the overall environmental footprint of agricultural operations and help farmers redefine efficiency, comfort and durability, both in the field and on the road. As farming equipment advances, we remain committed to making our tyres the best-in-class asset for sustainable and productive agriculture.”

KENDA Europe has completed major investments in automation technology and renewable energy at its Croatian steel wheel factory.

The facility employs around 200 workers and produces over 1 million steel wheels annually, has installed a fully automated production line for rolled wheels between 12 and 20 inches in diameter. The new line operates alongside spinning technology, handling smaller batch sizes and custom products.

KENDA has also implemented an automated powder paint line and installed rooftop solar panels as part of a two-year project launched in 2023 titled "Reinventing the Wheel".

The modernisation programme, supported by Innovation Norway and the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR), aims to enhance high-volume production capabilities while reducing environmental impact.

The company reports that digital technologies have reduced energy consumption and waste during manufacturing and painting processes. Additional improvements include enhanced lighting, stronger insulation and improved air filtering.

Power for the factory now comes from the rooftop solar installation supplemented by certified renewable energy sources.

Sales Director of KENDA Europe Specialty, Christian de Wit, is enthusiastic about the advancements, stating: “I am very pleased that we can now serve our customers with improved products in greater volumes than ever before. These investments increase our efficiency, quality and flexibility, and this new step in KENDA Europe’s development enables us to meet the growing demand for responsibly and efficiently produced standard and bespoke wheel and tire solutions. We understand our customers’ focus on responsibility and we are proud to be able to deliver products that meet the high standards of European manufacturing”.