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 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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