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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Hankook Tire has secured a new role as the Official Control Tyre Supplier for the 2026–2027 season of the Australian Production Car Endurance Series (APCES), following a partnership with the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC). The APCES is a newly launched endurance championship created by the ARDC and Motorsport Australia, designed to continue the country’s legacy of production car racing. The series will feature production-based vehicles competing across eight performance-based classes, labelled X, A1, A2, B1, B2, C, D and E.

Hankook will exclusively supply its Ventus TD (Z221) R-Spec tyres to all participating teams, working alongside official trackside supplier Gary’s Motorsport Tyres. The control tyre format, which equips every competing vehicle with identical tyre specifications and performance, is intended to provide consistent racing conditions throughout the championship. The semi-slick tyres feature an optimised tread pattern and advanced compound technologies, delivering strong dry grip, stable cornering, excellent braking and superior heat resistance even under prolonged high-speed driving.

The championship will begin its opening round at Sydney Motorsport Park on 30 and 31 May, with additional races scheduled at Sandown International Raceway in August and Queensland Raceway in September. The final round is set for March 2027 at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, as part of the iconic Bathurst 6 Hour endurance race. The overall series champion will be determined at that concluding event.

Hankook has already built a strong reputation in Australian endurance racing as the official tyre supplier for the Bathurst 6 Hour, and it continues to sponsor other local events including the First Focus Radical Cup Australia Series, the Precision National Sports Sedan Series and the Hyper Racer Hankook Australian Drivers’ Championship. Moving forward, the company plans to strengthen its global premium brand position by using racing data from extreme motorsports conditions, combined with its global innovation R&D infrastructure, to develop ultra-high-performance tyre technologies.

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Bridgestone Corporation has extended its legacy of excellence with General Motors by securing a 2025 Supplier of the Year award, marking the company’s 11th consecutive win and 24th overall. The honour was announced during GM’s 34th annual awards ceremony in Austin, Texas. Out of a vast network exceeding 20,000 suppliers, Bridgestone emerged as one of only 103 companies across 14 countries to receive this distinction.

A global cross-functional team at General Motors determines the winners based on performance across key categories such as safety, innovation and resilience. The evaluation process considered each organisation’s results throughout 2025 alongside their alignment with GM’s fundamental values and ambitious future objectives. This rigorous selection method highlights the importance of consistent execution and shared strategic vision.

The recognition directly supports Bridgestone’s internal E8 Commitment, an ethos built around eight values beginning with the letter E, including Ecology and Extension. By crafting innovative tire solutions for GM, the Japanese company effectively advances its pledges on both ecological responsibility and technological extension. This synergy between corporate values and customer recognition reinforces Bridgestone’s position as a reliable partner.

David Colletti, President of Consumer Original Equipment Tires, North America, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, said, “This recognition reflects the strong relationship between Bridgestone and GM. Together, our shared dedication to innovation, quality and performance continues to fuel long-term success.”

Shilpan Amin, Senior Vice President, Global Chief Procurement and Supply Chain Officer, General Motors, said, “Supplier of the Year is one of those key moments our whole team looks forward to every year because it highlights the partnerships behind every vehicle we build. The results our suppliers deliver throughout the entire product development cycle are central to our ability to deliver world-class vehicles to our customers. When our suppliers, such as Bridgestone, lean in with us on new technology and flawless execution, we can move faster, compete harder and unlock more value across the entire supply chain.”

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Tyres Europe has joined a broad alliance of European industry associations urging the European Union to strengthen its trade defence policy. The coalition warns that unfair trade practices, combined with structural overcapacity and state-led market distortions worldwide, are intensifying pressure on local manufacturers. European producers must contend with high energy costs, strict environmental rules and complex regulations, placing them at a clear disadvantage compared to rivals benefiting from less transparent conditions.

The signatories have made clear that they do not seek protection from competition itself, only fairer conditions under which to compete. They argue that a truly global level playing field is essential to protect Europe’s industrial base, sustain competitiveness and allow EU companies to continue investing, producing and preserving jobs within the continent. Without such balance, the long-term viability of key sectors remains at risk.

As an immediate step, the coalition calls on the European Commission to assign more staff to the trade defence units within DG Trade. According to the statement, these services are severely understaffed in absolute numbers and relative to the EU’s main global partners. This shortage undermines Europe’s ability to respond effectively to foreign trade distortions in a timely manner.

Reinforcing DG Trade’s investigative capacity is therefore presented as a crucial short-term priority. Tyres Europe and the other associations contend that targeted staffing increases would significantly enhance the EU’s resilience against global market imbalances. Such a move, they believe, would help safeguard fair competition without erecting unnecessary barriers to international trade.

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Hankook Tire was conferred with the ‘Excellence in Quality and Delivery’ award during Japanese automaker Honda Motor Co., Ltd.’s ‘2025 Supplier Excellence Award’ ceremony, which took place in Columbus, Ohio, this past April.

Honda annually evaluates suppliers across North America based on criteria such as quality, delivery, value and innovation. Out of 56 honourees this year, Hankook Tire stood out due to its systematic quality management, stable supply capabilities and advanced product development competitiveness.

This latest accolade marks Hankook Tire’s fifth recognition from Honda, following previous wins for ‘Excellence in Value’ in 2016 and 2020, and ‘Excellence in Delivery/Value’ in 2018 and 2023. Since establishing a partnership with Honda in 2013, Hankook Tire supplies original equipment tyres for key SUV models including the CR-V, HR-V, Pilot and Passport, as well as global sedans like the Accord and Civic.

Building on this recognition, the tyre manufacturer aims to deepen its collaboration with Honda and expand its presence as a premier global brand in North America. Leveraging its integrated quality and technology system – supported by the Technoplex headquarters, Hankook Technodome R&D center and Hankook Technoring test track – the company continues to serve over 50 global automakers and plans to further enhance its AI-driven quality management through sustained R&D investment.

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