Jyotsna came on board as the CFO and Head of IT of Bridgestone India, around two-and-a-half years ago - in April 2018. Since then, she has ensured attentive capacities are in place, thus focusing on maintaining cost control and delegating financial management. Afterall, the tyre industry is highly competitive and market-driven. And yes, digital evolution and safety of her colleagues and business partners have become one of her top priorities during the pandemic.

Raised in a modest and orthodox business family of six daughters, principles such as hard work, humility, and honesty were a natural part of growing up for her. Married at the age of twenty-one, Jyotsna wanted to be more than just a housewife. Thus, she pursued her grinding CA qualification while being a mother of a baby boy.

“I pursued further education and got a professional qualification, CA, in 1994. Not an easy call in any way. The profession itself was demanding and then to be able to garner the support of the larger family was a big task considering the social norms at the time. However, with the great support from my in-laws, my husband Rajesh, and my conviction, I managed to pursue this new path,” Jyotsna recalls.

When asked about what she would attribute to the leadership qualities she has achieved, she reflects on her family background and the formative years of her life. Marriage was the ultimate end-goal for all girls back then, she says. But, her father, who was a civil engineer, and ran a unit into precision tools manufacturing, understood the value of education. He ensured all his daughters received quality higher education. This paid off as all of Jyotsna’s sisters are highly qualified across different streams.

Jyotsna also mentions the underlying importance of financial independence that was ever-present while growing up. These values, coupled with formal education and academics, added to her versatile calibre. However, she says studies were never her cup of tea. Her interests were games, food, and fun. Having done her graduation at BMCC, life was relatively stress-free then.

However, getting married at the early age was a turning point in her life when she braved the conventional social norms at the time and pursued her CA studies. She adds that the journey from 1989-1994 was full of challenges, excitement, courage, and family support. Significant challenges to pursue her CA were to convince the in-laws to allow her to go and live in a hostel and study and to be able to meet social obligations as a newly-wed woman, and not being able to give time to her son.

 “To be able to give my 100% to the studies amidst all of this was quite difficult. However, I always kept my eye on the big picture.”

Jyotsna started her professional career at Kinetic Honda, a manufacturing organisation which, she says, was not perceived to be ideal for women and had limitations to growth. “But that made me work even harder. However, it was a role of my choice, and I worked with them for nine years, and those were my formative career years. A combination of experience at Firodiya, a well-respected business house and a Japanese business brand is great learning for any finance professional. I took additional responsibilities on multiple functions and projects to rise the ladder at a good pace as by now; I had found my Ikigai- a reason to live.”

 “Amidst all this, the family challenges continued as my husband Rajesh had moved to Singapore, and I single-handedly attended to our son”.

At the workplace, she always ensures that she works hard and does everything from grassroots and is never bothered about her designation and qualification as, for her, that is a means and not an end. “Over the years, I worked on building and strengthening relationships and never really kept any limitations to what I wanted to achieve.”

COVID has turned the auto industry upside down. New normal is becoming a part of life and businesses as well. Whereas the challenges of COVID have been unprecedented, it also brought new ways of doing businesses. Now employee safety is becoming a top priority, while digital evolution is bringing a new era ahead of the industry.

At Bridgestone, Jyotsna says, the safety of their people and safeguarding their operations have been the topmost priority. Ever since COVID first hit the country, the company took proactive measures to not only keep the people safe but, also streamline operations in the wake of new normal. Furthermore, at the back of accelerated digitisation, Bridgestone India has been able to bring the right solutions for its consumers as well as ensure the same levels of productivity within the organisation. 

When asked about how she feels about working in such a dynamic industry, Jyotsna says, “The automobile industry is where my professional career is slated. Kinetic Honda, SKF Bearings, NRB Bearings, Sandvik Asia and now Bridgestone are my performing turfs. One side of the industry, i.e., channel partners, are the same - similar channels set up requirements, risks, opportunities, and expectations of the partners. What differs is the strength of the product and strength of the competitor. Bridgestone, with its world-class Japanese technology in tyre manufacturing, is one of the leading and most trusted brands with all the strengths on the product, manufacturing, and innovation.” 

“The market in India is huge, and the progressive growth and demographics of the country are definitely positive. At Bridgestone India, we are financially secure with a good product range, best manufacturing facilities, substantial market share, reliable channel partners and an ambitious and committed workforce. The biggest risk is getting complacent and losing focus on cost. The tyre industry is competitive, and market driven. Also, the capacities are in place, thus keeping focus and maintaining cost control is the financial management challenge which is exciting.”

Like everyone, COVID has influenced Jyotsna’s personal and professional life. According to her, COVID was a blessing in disguise to be able to spend all this time at home and spending time to call and check on all near and dear ones, reconnecting, rejuvenating were positives in this situation.

However, work from home bears multiple challenges and ,for her the divide between official work and domestic duties was practically invisible. As the Head of IT and CFO, Jyotsna had a great responsibility to ensure the digital solutions were up and running and without causing the loss of productivity at the same time managing concerns around security and support. “As a CFO, a time to complete FY 20 financials and audits, and the Mid-term – 3 years business plan process which were very challenging.”

“But I would say the times have tested my abilities to stay strong under all situations. I would like to say this to my fellow leaders that encourage your teams throughout and keep the work exciting as always. This will ensure a positive sentiment in these trying times.”

As much as work is refreshing with so much happening, Jyotsna does take personal time to recharge. She loves to drive and have been doing rallies like Raid the Himalaya, Desert Storm, Spice Challenge. She has also done international driving vacations.

 “Amidst the lockdown, I recently drove to Bangalore to be with my son Prateek. The memory of absolutely traffic-free roads and my car racing at 230-250 with confidence to touch Bangalore from Pune non-stop in 9 hours was wonderful. We drove through Kabini and spent a holiday together, making memories.”

“I also like to read, so I took this opportunity to download the most read books Ikigai, Atomic Habits, Just do It – the Nike story and many more.”

 “Netflix was another relaxing way to spend some time, and the most exciting watch for me was Drills apart from many others. I love to socialise and continued e-socialising as well.”

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Nexen Tire reported record first-quarter revenue and higher profitability, supported by stronger sales in Europe and North America and a shift towards higher-value products.

The company said revenue rose to KRW 838.3 billion in the three months to March, while operating profit reached KRW 54.2 billion. The increase came despite a “hostile business environment” marked by slowing global demand and geopolitical risks.

Sales were driven by solid performance in key markets, notably Europe and North America. A recent plant expansion in Europe improved production stability, enabling higher volumes from existing customers and new client wins.

Original equipment (OE) sales remained stable, supported by a diversified product portfolio, even as global automotive demand weakened.

Profitability improved on the back of a more favourable product mix and cost controls. The share of high-value products — including premium OE tyres and those for sport utility vehicles and electric vehicles — continued to rise. High-inch tyres, defined as 18 inches and above, accounted for 40 percent of total sales.

The company also said efforts to offset higher raw material and ocean freight costs contributed to margin gains.

Alongside its results, Nexen outlined measures to strengthen its global position, including expanding region-specific product offerings. In South Korea, it launched the high-performance N’FERA Sport and the all-weather N’BLUE 4SEASON 2, following earlier introductions in Europe and the US.

In Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region, Nexen introduced the N’BLUE S summer tyre and pursued partnerships with local distributors to bolster retail competitiveness.

With external uncertainties expected to persist into the second quarter, the company said it would accelerate diversification of its global sales structure while maintaining growth in strategic markets such as Australia and Japan.

Nexen also plans to expand regional distribution centres and advance its AI-based virtual development process using a high dynamic driving simulator introduced last year.

A Nexen Tire official said: “We achieved solid results despite the uncertain business environment. We will continue to respond proactively to market changes while strengthening product competitiveness and operational efficiency to sustain quality growth.”

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Hankook Tyre UK has confirmed it will continue as a key partner for the 2026 London to Brighton Electric Vehicle Rally, building on the success of the 2025 event. The premium tyre manufacturer reaffirmed its dedication to innovation, sustainability and the future of electric mobility. Scheduled for 20 June 2026, the rally will again bring together industry leaders, electric vehicle enthusiasts and the public for a major celebration of electric transport.

The event will commence in Westminster, with an electric vehicle convoy travelling through central London before finishing along Brighton’s seafront. More than 100 vehicles will take part, with drivers challenged to complete the route using minimal energy. This format highlights the critical importance of efficiency in advancing sustainable mobility. Upon arrival in Brighton, up to 35,000 spectators are expected to welcome participants at the seafront e-village.

Hankook will showcase its iON range, the world’s first complete tyre lineup developed specifically for electric vehicles. The company will also serve as the official sponsor of the awards ceremony, a highly anticipated after-party at the Malmaison, bringing together industry figures and participants for an evening celebrating energy efficiency and EV innovation. The event programme includes an electric stunt show, live music, interactive experiences and test drive opportunities.

Hankook’s iON range includes the iON evo for summer, the iON i*cept for winter, the all-weather iON FlexClimate and the iON GT for compact EVs, all available for SUVs. These tyres feature reduced rolling resistance, low noise levels and high load‑bearing capacity to handle instant torque and increased vehicle weight, thereby extending driving range and comfort. As the exclusive tyre supplier to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Hankook will also display a Formula E car and its racing tyre at its stand.

Harrison Hughes, Director of the London to Brighton EV Rally, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Hankook Tyre UK back as a key partner of the London to Brighton Electric Vehicle Rally. Their continued support plays an important role in helping us deliver and grow the event year on year, and we’re especially pleased to have them sponsoring the evening awards, which are a real highlight of the event.”

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Goodyear has reinforced its position as an all‑season tyre pioneer on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the world’s first all‑season tyre. The company introduced the Vector All Season 4, an engineering milestone shaped by decades of expertise and an award‑winning portfolio. With a new high‑contrast sidewall design and rim diameter coverage now reaching 23 inches, the tyre unlocks premium year‑round capability for vehicle segments that previously lacked any all‑season solution.

The Vector All Season 4 delivers optimised performance on dry roads, in rain and on light snow, carrying the European Three‑Peak Mountain Snowflake certification. Developed with Goodyear’s latest technologies and dedicated materials, the tyre balances capabilities without compromising any single performance area, allowing it to adapt to changing temperatures, road conditions and driving styles.

Independent testing by TÜV SÜD, commissioned by Goodyear, confirmed the tyre as a well‑rounded product with consistently strong performance across all evaluated criteria, while AutoBild awarded it an ‘Exemplary’ rating. The tyre’s WeatherReady Technology, combining Dry Contact Plus, a 3D Blade Sipe System and a new compound formula, supports confident grip, effortless dry and wet control, improved tread wear and reduced rolling resistance – making it well suited for electric vehicles.

Designed for today’s heavier, more powerful and increasingly electrified vehicles, the Vector All Season 4 responds to evolving market demands with broader fitment. By 2026, the lineup will include 96 SKUs across 16‑ to 23‑inch rim diameters, with 66 percent of the range in 19 inches and above. For the first time, models such as the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Porsche Panamera and Macan, as well as the Audi A6 e‑tron, Q7 and SQ7, can combine confident all‑season performance with year‑round convenience. Fitments of 19 inches and above feature an exclusive laser‑engraved sidewall.

Ben Glesener, Senior Technology Director Product Development Consumer EMEA, said, “Goodyear has played a defining role in shaping the all-season category since its very beginnings, starting with the launch of Goodyear Tiempo in 1977 – the world’s first all-season tyre. As we approach the 50-year anniversary of that milestone next year, Vector All Season 4 represents the next step in how we continue to redefine the all-season category. By raising all‑season performance and expanding the range to meet the demands of today’s premium and electric vehicles, we are making it easier than ever for more drivers to rely on a single tyre solution throughout the year.

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Bridgestone is broadening its premium agricultural tyre portfolio for next-generation high-horsepower tractors. The company has added six extra-large sizes to its VT-TRACTOR range, covering 38-to-46-inch rims. These XXL tyres deliver superior traction, extended wear life and enhanced durability. An optimised rolling circumference ensures ideal lead percentage between front and rear tyre combinations, which is critical for maintaining proper driveline synchronisation and preventing mechanical stress under heavy field loads.

Advanced design features enable these performance gains. Developed using virtual three-dimensional simulation and robust Bridgestone design criteria, the tyres incorporate deeper and wider tread profiles that balance traction with even wear distribution. A patented involute lug design provides up to 12 percent more lug volume than competitors, maximising grip while minimising energy loss. This design maintains consistent performance over extended working seasons, reducing the need for premature replacements and lowering operating costs for farmers.

Durability comes from Bridgestone’s unique S-LINE bead profile, offering greater flexibility at lower pressures to reduce soil compaction and prevent rim slip. The high durability casing ensures even pressure distribution across the soil footprint, preventing both circumferential and shoulder cracks while improving tyre longevity. The tyres are fully compatible with Central Tyre Inflation Systems, allowing operators to adjust pressure on the move for different applications. Additional benefits include improved fuel efficiency and stable steering precision even under challenging field conditions.

Production takes place at Bridgestone’s Puente San Miguel plant in Spain, following significant upgrades to manufacturing capabilities including advanced production technology and specialised equipment for large-diameter tyres. These investments enable expansion into the 44- and 46-inch segment. The new XXL sizes will launch progressively from April 2026, expanding compatibility with a wider range of modern high-horsepower agricultural machinery across global markets.

Andrea Marconcini, Director Agriculture at Bridgestone EMEA, said, “Today, farmers operate larger, more powerful tractors and need tyres that can keep up – doing more and going further in demanding conditions. Our updated VT-TRACTOR range is engineered to enable faster, more efficient work in the field, together with a longer service life that reduces long-term costs.” 

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