Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the Union Budget 2025-26 on February 1, outlining measures to bolster the manufacturing sector, a move set to benefit the automotive industry.

A new Clean Tech Manufacturing Support Programme aims to boost domestic value addition in solar PV cells, EV batteries, motors and controllers. The initiative also expands the exempted list to include 35 additional capital goods for EV battery production.

Beyond manufacturing, the budget prioritises the broader EV ecosystem with support for battery recycling and charging infrastructure. Special focus is placed on advancing high-capacity battery technology and fostering research in the sector.

Welcoming the move, tyre makers opined that the impetus lays a strong foundation for India's continued economic resilience and manufacturing excellence. Thrust on green energy transition, manufacturing and ease of doing business will propel the automotive and tyre industries forward.

Furthermore, the budget strengthens India's push for domestic manufacturing with tax incentives including a full exemption from Basic Customs Duty on key materials such as cobalt powder, lithium-ion battery waste and scrap, lead, zinc and 12 other critical minerals. 

To further drive cost efficiencies, the government is reducing import duties on essential battery production equipment, a move aimed at lowering EV battery costs and making electric vehicles more affordable. The resulting decline in operational expenses is expected to accelerate the expansion of India’s EV battery industry and boost domestic production capacity.

Commenting on the developments, JK Tyre Managing Director Raghupati Singhania averred,” The Union Budget 2025-26 lays a strong foundation for India's continued economic resilience and manufacturing excellence. Thrust on green energy transition, manufacturing and ease of doing business will propel the automotive and tyre industries forward. Emphasis on clean tech manufacturing, with incentives for EV components and advanced mobility solutions, aligns well with automotive sector’s vision for sustainability. Additionally, the measures to strengthen global supply chain integration and streamline trade regulations will bolster India’s global manufacturing competitiveness. We look forward to leveraging these opportunities to drive innovation and sustainable growth.”

Speaking on the same lines, Apollo Tyres Chairman Onkar Kanwar said, “The Union Budget 2025-26 is growth-centric, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to strengthening India’s manufacturing sector and driving the evolution to cleaner mobility solutions. The Government’s focus on clean technology manufacturing under the National Manufacturing Mission, will spur the domestic EV industry and make the EVs affordable. The budget places significant emphasis on building India’s innovation and R&D capabilities while enhancing youth employability. Enhanced credit availability and easier compliance requirements supports the MSMEs, which are supporting the auto sector. Above all, the Union Budget provides significant measures to boost consumer spending across sectors by leaving more disposable income in the hands of the middle class.”

CEAT Tyres Managing Director Arnab Banerjee iterated, “Budget of India comprehensively addresses all key areas of economy covering agriculture, rural development, education, health, tourism and infrastructure. It has  new initiatives to provide finance for agriculture , startups and MSMEs. There is good amount of emphasis on “ease of doing business “ particularly in direct and indirect tax related compliances. Relief for middle class through lowering of income tax would help in higher disposable income that would boost consumption and personal investment. It is heartening to see further drop in fiscal deficit to 4.4% next year, this should augur well in managing the health of the government and also in managing inflation. Overall a well balanced budget.”

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Continental is redefining adventure riding for a new generation with the launch of the TKC 80², a complete re-imagining of its legendary TKC 80 tyre. After four decades, this isn't a simple update but a fundamental redesign crafted for today's powerful and heavy adventure motorcycles. It answers a clear call from riders who are increasingly drawn to uncharted paths, yet refuse to sacrifice performance on the journey there. The TKC 80² is engineered to be an uncompromising partner for this dual-purpose lifestyle.

Its performance begins with a cleverly engineered tread. The pattern uses larger, strategically shifted blocks that create more biting edges for superior grip in dirt, sand and gravel. This design also actively resists clogging, ensuring consistent performance where other tyres might pack up with mud. Stability is enhanced through a larger contact area, inspiring confidence whether carving a paved corner or navigating a rocky trail. The logic even extends to direction: the front tread is angled to dig in during braking, while the rear is designed in the opposite way to maximise acceleration traction without excessive digging.

Beneath the tread, a new carcass provides the backbone. It is specifically calibrated for a balanced 50/50 use, offering the robust stability needed for a loaded bike at high speeds or on demanding off-road sections while also improving ride comfort through optimised damping. An advanced rubber compound tackles the classic trade-off, delivering aggressive grip across diverse surfaces while also promising remarkable longevity and wear resistance. This is complemented by RainGrip technology, which instils confidence by maintaining secure handling when the weather turns cold and wet.

Built for epic journeys on every continent and backed by robust puncture protection, the TKC 80² is for those who ride without limits. To fit a broad spectrum of modern travel enduros from brands like BMW, KTM and Ducati, it will be produced in multiple sizes. With its distinct new sidewall icon, the Continental TKC 80² will be available at specialist retailers starting in Spring 2026.

Raphael Michels, Product Manager for Motorcycle Tires at Continental, said, “Our new flexible rubber compound adapts perfectly to the micro-roughness of the asphalt, providing excellent grip. At the same time, we’ve worked intensively to resolve the conflict between on- and off-road performance in the best possible way. The tyre tread combines maximum flexibility for safe wet grip with high block stiffness for stability and mechanical grip.”

Christoph Ettenhuber, Head of Business Field Motorcycle Tires at Continental, said, “With the TKC 80², we’re setting new standards in terms of versatility, robustness and off-road performance. The combination of innovative tread design, new rubber compound and optimised carcass offers adventure riders maximum safety, control and riding pleasure on a wide variety of terrains.”

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Bridgestone has confirmed a January 2026 launch for its new premium sports motorcycle tyre, the BATTLAX RACING STREET RS12, in North America. Developed under the concept ‘From Circuit to Street,’ this road-legal tyre is engineered to deliver the highest level of dry grip within the BATTLAX lineup by directly incorporating technologies refined in competitive racing.

The RS12 features a specialised compound derived from race tyre development, which works in concert with a newly designed tread pattern. This pattern’s optimised groove ratio enhances overall tyre rigidity and increases the contact area during cornering for superior grip. A significant innovation for the front tyre is the introduction of the HE-MS BELT structure, a technology previously reserved for top-tier global motorcycle races. This flexible belt system equalises contact pressure to provide a further boost in traction.

By integrating these endurance-racing technologies, the RS12 achieves comprehensive performance improvements on the circuit, with a primary focus on dry conditions. The result is a notable reduction in lap times compared to its predecessor, the RS11. Furthermore, the synergistic combination of its compound, pattern and structure ensures that the high grip level is consistently maintained over multiple laps, resisting performance degradation. This gives riders confidence and a more engaging experience across diverse riding scenarios, from aggressive sport riding on dry pavement to tackling winding roads and dedicated track days.

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 India's Rubber Board has donated floor cleaning equipment valued at Rs 10 lakh to Kottayam Medical College as part of the Central Government's cleanliness initiative.

The equipment, comprising a scrubber dryer floor cleaning machine and a vacuum cleaner, was handed over at a ceremony held at the medical college on Sunday.

M Vasanthagesan IRS, Executive Director of the Rubber Board, presented the equipment at a meeting presided over by V N Vasavan, Kerala's Minister for Co-operation, Ports and Devaswom.

The event, conducted under the Centre's 'Swachhata Action Plan', also recognised cleaning workers at the medical college.

Dr Varghese Punnoose, Principal of Kottayam Medical College, Dr T K Jayakumar, Superintendent of the institution, and Dr Binoi K Kurien, Secretary in-charge of the Rubber Board, addressed the gathering.

The Rubber Board, a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, oversees development and regulation of India's rubber industry.

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Apollo Tyres’ Chennai Plant has formalised a multi-institutional partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with five esteemed engineering colleges from Kerala, Odisha and Tamil Nadu. This strategic alliance is designed to fortify the nexus between industry and academia, with a focused objective of developing a robust, industry-ready talent pool to meet future sector demands. The collaboration represents a significant investment in the human capital pipeline, directly linking academic output with corporate needs.

The collaborating institutions in this forward-looking initiative are SASTRA University, SRM TRP Engineering College, JJ College Of Engineering & Technology, Ma'din Academy and Nilachal Polytechnic. The partnership’s framework encompasses a comprehensive suite of initiatives aimed at mutual development. For students, it provides a structured pathway to employment, including placement assurances during their final year and enhanced campus hiring opportunities. To bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, the programme will facilitate organised industry visits to Apollo’s manufacturing facility, offering students firsthand exposure to modern production processes. Complementing this, a series of expert-led sessions, technical lectures and seminars will be delivered by in-house professionals from Apollo Tyres, ensuring the curriculum remains aligned with evolving industry practices.

This symbiotic engagement yields significant strategic benefits for all stakeholders. Students gain invaluable industry awareness and confidence, while academic institutions enhance their curriculum's practical relevance. For Apollo Tyres, the initiative enables the early identification and nurturing of prospective talent, effectively streamlining recruitment and fostering a positive perception of manufacturing careers.

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