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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The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) has warned that UK’s circular economy goal will remain out of reach if waste tyre processing continues to move abroad. Environment Agency data shows enhanced verification measures introduced last October have a compliance rate below two percent, a figure the TRA described as deeply concerning. Without a fundamental shift in policy and enforcement, a closed-loop system cannot be realised.

Exporters are systematically ignoring the new rules. Of 4,189 waste tyre shipments since 1 October 2025, only 54 post-shipment forms were completed correctly, a compliance rate of just 1.3 percent. The vast majority of UK’s annual 300,000 tonnes of tyre exports end up at illegal batch pyrolysis plants in India. The TRA called this both an environmental failure and an economic loss, as the UK ships abroad the very feedstock needed to power its own circular economy.

While the UK treats waste tyres as a disposal problem, the domestic sector holds 150,000 tonnes of licensed but idle processing capacity. The TRA argued that with enforceable regulation and proper oversight, the industry could expand significantly, creating skilled jobs and generating high-value secondary materials at home instead of losing them overseas.

Shredding tyres reduces environmentally harmful disposal and unlocks new value streams. Shredded tyres are strategic feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel, advanced continuous pyrolysis, recovered carbon black for new tyre manufacturing and rubberised asphalt for long-life roads. The TRA urged immediate regulatory action to stop uncontrolled exports and activate dormant domestic processing capacity without further delay.

Peter Taylor OBE, Secretary General, Tyre Recovery Association, said, “The Environment Agency’s transparency is very welcome, but the figures are an indictment of those tyre export brokers who continue to operate without conscience. To see a compliance rate of just 1.3 percent is ultimately depressing, these measures are a long way off having any meaningful impact.

“New measures need to be introduced so that EA can fulfil their statutory duty; until then, the export chain simply continues to abuse their goodwill. We must face the hard reality. Shred is the only immediate route to a circular economy and sustainable future for British operators. Unless we mandate that tyres must be mechanically processed into shred before they leave our shores, we will continue to fuel pollution abroad while our domestic recycling assets wither.

“Our neighbours and competitors are realising the opportunity from secondary materials. We continue to export the UK’s future in the back of shipping containers, while the rest of the world builds a circular economy. If the UK does not move to a shred-only mandate, we will be left behind.”

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Pirelli has claimed the top position in a recent ranking of the world’s fastest road-legal track tyres, according to the Tyre Reviews platform. The comparison, which evaluated four products available in Europe and North America, crowned the P Zero Trofeo RS as the pinnacle of Pirelli’s road range. The tyre integrates technological solutions derived from the Italian company’s 120 years of motorsport experience at the highest levels.

During dry handling tests, the P Zero Trofeo RS set the fastest lap time and was described as clearly superior. Tester Jonathan Benson noted he had to recalibrate his braking points twice due to unexpectedly high grip levels. The tyre enabled quick and precise turn-in, earlier throttle application and immediate traction on corner exits, with the front axle delivering strong grip and confidence. It also ranked first in dry braking with the shortest stopping distance.

Consistency of performance under demanding conditions was another standout feature, confirming the product’s ability to maintain high performance over time. These results were reinforced by a separate test from Auto Bild Sportscars, which compared five road-legal semi-slick tyres. There, the P Zero Trofeo RS also secured first place with an ‘Exemplary’ rating thanks to best-in-class dry performance and long-distance consistency.

Designed for track use yet approved for road driving, the P Zero Trofeo RS was originally developed for original equipment and is now available on the replacement market. It brings Pirelli’s expertise from bespoke fitments for high-performance prestige and premium models to all customers. While conceived to maximise vehicle performance on the track, Pirelli engineers have also ensured a high level of safety on wet surfaces.

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Sun Auto Network has expanded its footprint in the Midwest through two strategic moves: the opening of a new Plaza Tire Service in Owensboro, Kentucky, and the acquisition of two Checkpoint Tire & Service locations in Illinois.

The Kentucky addition marks the 89th Plaza Tire Service overall and the eighth within the state, broadening regional access to automotive care. Meanwhile, the Illinois acquisitions include one Checkpoint Tire & Service location and one Checkpoint Express Lube Center, bringing Sun Auto’s total presence in the state to 15 sites. The Checkpoint additions specifically introduce express oil changes and maintenance services, offering faster and more convenient options alongside complete vehicle care.

Both the Kentucky and Illinois locations now operate under Sun Auto’s Driver Commitment, which emphasises clarity, confidence and customer care. They also benefit from the company’s scaled network advantages, including a Price Match Guarantee, access to leading tyre brands, round‑the‑clock online appointment scheduling, digital vehicle inspections, nationwide warranties and a full range of services such as tyre replacement, alignments, brakes, batteries and preventative maintenance.

Rob Kingery, Regional Vice President, said, "Growth is focused on strengthening the markets we already serve and improving access to dependable automotive care. These additions build on that approach, bringing greater convenience and service capabilities to the communities we support."

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Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres emerged as the central strategic battleground in the LMGT3 class during the FIA World Endurance Championship’s season-opening 6 Hours of Imola. The Italian circuit’s notably smooth asphalt led to unexpectedly low tyre degradation across the six-hour race, which allowed teams to experiment with varied tactical plans rather than following a single, predictable approach. Under this season’s increased tyre allocation rules, teams enjoyed greater flexibility, although not every squad chose to use its full supply.

The performance and consistency of the Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium compound proved decisive, with most teams minimising pit lane time by double- or triple-stinting their tyres. However, a minority of competitors opted for a contrasting strategy, fitting fresher Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres more frequently. Crucially, the durability of the Medium compound ensured that both approaches remained competitive, resulting in a wide array of live strategies unfolding simultaneously across the LMGT3 field.

The FIA World Endurance Championship resumes with the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps from 7 to 9 May 2026. Over the same weekend, Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres have also been in action at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, as well as at Donington Park for the British Touring Car Championship season opener.

Stephen Bickley, Goodyear Endurance Programme Manager, said, “In the first half of the race, we saw several teams double stinting the unloaded left-hand side, but changing their right-hand side tyres at every stop. But as the race progressed, some teams began to double-stint both sides. This meant that teams that had only changed the right-hand side at the previous stop were onto their third stint with the left-hand tyres. Across the field, we saw some teams stop as little as five times during the race, and some as many as eight, emphasising the range of different strategies teams employed.”

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