The downward revision in the world supply outlook for 2020 is largely due to the scaling down of the outlook for Thailand and India, according to ANRPC. The outlook on the production of NR in Thailand has been scaled down by 332,000 tonnes to 4.478 million tonnes. The country’s revised outlook for 2020 represents a 7.7% decline from the previous year as against a 0.9% anticipated fall reported a month ago.

The harvesting and primary processing of rubber in Thailand are severely affected by acute shortage of labourers. The migrant labourers from neighbouring countries and those from other provinces within the country find it difficult to reach back and resume the various farm management activities including tapping and primary processing. Aggravating the situation, tropical storm ‘Noul’ damaged rubber plantations in several provinces of Thailand in the last week of September besides causing heavy rains, flash floods, and water run-offs.

In August, northern Thailand was hit by the tropical storm ‘Sinlaku’ causing flash floods in 18 northern provinces of the country. The loss in output arising from previous year’s incidence of a new fungal leaf disease is already factored in. Abnormal leaf fall resulting from fungal diseases usually impacts on the yield performance of the affected for two succeeding years.

In India, the production anticipated in 2020 has been scaled down by 42,000 tonnes to 668,000 tonnes, ANRPC study said. The revised outlook represents a 4.8% decline from the previous year as against a 1.1% anticipated increase reported a month ago. The country’s NR production sector is impacted by a burst in the number daily new cases of Covid-19 infections in the State of Kerala since the beginning of September and the abnormal leaf fall caused by the outbreak of Phytophthora leaf disease during July and August. It is reported that the incidence of abnormal leaf fall during this year is less severe compared to the previous year.

Demand fall

There has also been a fall in world consumption of NR by 11.7% y/y to 8.151 million tonnes during the first eight months of 2020 (Jan-Aug), as per preliminary estimates. Based on the revised estimates and forecasts, the world consumption outlook for the full year 2020 is marginally scaled up by 67,000 tonnes to 12.611 million tonnes by representing an 8.4% fall from the previous year. The outlook for 2020 as reported a month ago was 12.544 million tonnes by representing an 8.9% fall from the previous year.

China has marginally revised up its consumption outlook for 2020 in view of an observed earlier-than expected economic recovery and acceleration in growth. A survey conducted by Nikkei revealed that the growth has been more pronounced in the manufacturing sector. The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) improved to 51.5 in September from 51.0 recorded in August and 51.3 anticipated for September, according to a survey conducted by the country’s National Bureau of Statistics and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing. The country’s automobile sector has made a major turnaround. The domestic retail sales of passenger vehicles, including minivans, SUVs and multipurpose vehicles, increased 7.4% y/y in September 2020, the third straight monthly gain. The domestic sales of passenger vehicles had increased 6.0% y/y in August 2020.

As per the revised outlook, China is anticipated to consume 5.055 million tonnes of NR during 2020, down 8.9% from the previous year. The country’s consumption outlook for 2020, as reported a month ago was 5.043 million tonnes, down 9.1% from the previous year.

India has scaled-up its consumption outlook for 2020 to 923,000 tonnes from 900,000 tonnes reported earlier in the year. Auto sales in India have made a U-turn. The domestic sales of passenger car increased 31.3% y/y in September 2020, the highest growth over the past 27 months. The trend reversal in passenger car is driven by preference for personal mobility during the pandemic, gradual opening up of markets, easing of supply-chains, labour availability, and excitement of new vehicle launches. The domestic sales of two-wheeler grew 12% y/y in September 2020, the highest growth over the past 21 months. Sales of tractor increased 16% y/y during the month, the highest growth over many years in the past.  The domestic sales of LVC (Light Commercial Vehicles) and M&HCV (Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles) declined by 3.0% each during the month, after double digit declines till August 2020.

Looking ahead, according to ANRPC, the world demand for NR will remain constrained by the uncertainties clouding the global economic recovery, acceleration in the number of new coronavirus cases, reintroduction of control measures and partial lockdowns across countries and a likely long delay in the mass availability of the vaccine. On the positive side, there are increased hopes of further fiscal aid in the US to keep its economy on track. The White House has reportedly raised its stimulus offer from the earlier proposed $1.0 trillion to $1.5 trillion, and further to $1.8 trillion, though that is still short of $2.2 trillion proposed by the Democrats.

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Plaza Tire Service, a brand within the Sun Auto Network, has expanded its Missouri footprint by opening a new location strategically serving drivers along the Highway 65 corridor. The expansion now reaches motorists across Ozark, Nixa and the greater Springfield area, reinforcing the company’s presence in Christian County, recognised as one of the fastest-growing regions south of Springfield.

Operating under the Plaza Tire Service name, the newest storefront upholds the brand’s Driver Commitment, which emphasises clarity, confidence and attentive customer care. To enhance the service experience, the facility offers 24/7 online appointment scheduling, digital vehicle inspections, nationwide warranties and immediate access to leading tyre brands. Same-day service is available alongside a full range of automotive maintenance and repair work, including alignments, brake service, oil changes, battery replacements and preventative maintenance.

Michael Loa, Regional Vice President, said, "Missouri continues to be an important market for us. This location allows us to strengthen our presence in the Springfield area while continuing to deliver the consistent, expert know-how our customers expect."

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Hankook Tire, the exclusive tyre supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), successfully completed the sixth round of the 2026 season, the Vodafone Rally de Portugal, where its Dynapro R213 rally tyre played a central role in managing the event’s punishing conditions. The tyre was engineered to absorb impacts from rough gravel and rocky terrain while delivering consistent grip and durability across the rally’s demanding stages.

Held from 7 to 10 May around Matosinhos in northern Portugal, the competition covered 23 Special Stages totalling approximately 345 kilometres. The surface began as soft, sandy gravel but progressively turned into sharp rocks and deeply rutted terrain due to repeated passes, making tyre durability and stability essential for performance. Hankook provided the Dynapro R213 in Hard and Soft compounds, allowing teams to balance high grip from the soft version with the hard compound’s resilience on changing surfaces.

After a fierce battle, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team driver Thierry Neuville secured overall victory, marking his team’s first win of the 2026 season. He took the lead in the closing stages and delivered a commanding performance to finish on the top step of the podium. In the Drivers’ Championship standings, Toyota GAZOO Racing’s Elfyn Evans leads with 123 points, followed closely by teammate Takamoto Katsuta on 111 points.

Throughout the event, Hankook operated a Brand World booth in the service park, featuring a motorsport heritage exhibition, racing simulators, branded merchandise and photo zones to enhance its premium global image. The 2026 WRC season now moves to Round 7, the FORUM8 Rally Japan on 28–31 May, a tarmac event on narrow mountain roads requiring precise steering and high-speed stability. Hankook continues to integrate WRC driving data into its R&D, advancing high-performance tyre technology as the exclusive supplier for all WRC classes since 2025.

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DUNLOP Motorsport is all geared up for the 2026 ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring, scheduled to be held from 14 to 17 May 2026. At the legendary Nordschleife, the team will debut a Porsche 911 GT3 R bearing start number 17, marking the black-and-yellow car’s first appearance at the Eifel classic. A quartet of experienced drivers has been assembled to share the cockpit, including Frenchmen Julien Andlauer and Dorian Boccolacci, Belgian Alessio Picariello and Nordschleife specialist Nico Menzel.

A series of preparatory runs within the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series allowed the team to gather vital operational intelligence. Despite a rain‑affected delay to the opening round, the group managed to cross the line inside the top ten overall during its very first race. That outcome, combined with methodical calibration of the Porsche's suspension and aerodynamics, improved the squad's command of DUNLOP tyre behaviour under race conditions.

Unpredictable factors such as sudden showers, evolving asphalt grip and heavy lapped traffic frequently decide outcomes at the Nürburgring. Success therefore hinges on error‑free driving and disciplined strategic calls. The selected drivers bring precisely those attributes: Andlauer from his tenure in elite GT and prototype series, Boccolacci and Picariello from repeated Nordschleife campaigns, and Menzel from years of local expertise.

Several other entrants have also chosen DUNLOP rubber. Saugmotoren Motorsport will run the distinctive BMW Z4 E89, steered by Nordschleife veterans Ralf Schall and Christian Scherer. BLACK FALCON Team FANATEC, collaborating with Gran Turismo, enters a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup whose cockpit will be shared by Manuel Metzger, online personality Misha Charoudin and sim racers Steve Brown and Jimmy Broadbent. For spectators, the Boulevard area presents an interactive zone where Gran Turismo simulators offer virtual Nordschleife laps. A Porsche 962 C on loan from the Porsche Museum, winner of all five Supercup races in 1987 and that year's champion, will also be exhibited.

The ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring starts Saturday 16 May at 3:00 pm. Fans unable to attend can watch live via the official stream or on RTL Nitro. DUNLOP Motorsport also shares regular updates and content from the Eifel region through its social media channels.

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Pirelli has developed a new rear tyre solution for the fifth FIM Superbike World Championship round at the Czech Republic’s Most circuit. The track is known for unusually high mechanical strain on rubber, particularly at the rear axle. To address this, Pirelli created the F0468 medium compound rear specification. Its compound matches the D0922, a tyre used at Most in 2025 and at Phillip Island across the previous two seasons. However, the F0468 features an entirely new internal structure for better race-long consistency and improved stability.

This newcomer evolves the E0829 specification, which shared the same compound and appeared at Phillip Island earlier this year. Riders who dislike the F0468 can still choose the D0922 development rear tyre. That option has already proven itself at the unique Czech layout and at Phillip Island, another tyre‑killing circuit. For qualifying and the Superpole Race, Pirelli has designated the standard soft SC0 as the reference rear tyre.

Beyond the premier class, Supersport and SportBike World Championship competitors will also race at Most. Supersport riders receive the same front choices as Superbike: soft SC1 and medium SC2. At the rear, Supersport entries can pick the soft SC0 or the medium SC1. SportBike competitors have used that same medium SC1 on both axles all season.

The tyre lineup thus gives every category familiar options alongside the new F0468. By blending a proven compound with a revised structure, Pirelli targets greater performance consistency without forcing riders to abandon the trusted D0922. Most’s punishing layout will serve as the ultimate test for both solutions.

Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli Motorcycle Racing Director, said, “Over more than two decades as supplier to the Superbike World Championship, Pirelli has built an extremely solid and versatile tyre range. The SCX supersoft rear solution now represents an absolute benchmark for riders and is used in most races on the calendar, with the soft SC0 becoming a valid alternative on some occasions. There are, however, some circuits that are particularly demanding on tyres, such as Phillip Island and Most, which by virtue of their layout and intrinsic characteristics require more specific solutions and more durable compounds, typically medium options.

“In these cases, development work focuses on improving key parameters such as performance and consistency over race distance: objectives that guided the design of the new rear solution in F0468 specification. To complete the allocation, riders will in any case also have the well-proven D0922 option available, which has shown that it can effectively handle the particular stresses imposed by this circuit. It will be interesting to assess whether the new F0468 medium will be able to raise the performance level beyond that of the D0922 further still.”

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