The BMW Group has selected Apollo Tyres’ Vredestein Ultrac tyres as original equipment (OE) for the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, which went on sale across Europe in March 2022.

Produced at Apollo Tyres’ Gyöngyöshalász plant in Hungary, the Vredestein tyres will be supplied in three sizes: 205/65R16 95W, 205/60R17 97W XL and 225/50R18 99W XL, the company said in a statement.

The tyres are marked with a star symbol on the sidewall to indicate that they are a bespoke product for the BMW Group. Apollo Tyres said this was the first time it secured an original equipment deal with a BMW Group business. 

As part of a multi-year agreement, Ultrac has been customised by Apollo Tyres in close collaboration with the BMW Group, resulting in bespoke OE tyres that facilitate the car’s safe and rewarding driving dynamics, while also delivering low levels of rolling resistance for enhanced fuel efficiency, the release said.  

The tyres achieve an ‘A’ rating in both fuel economy and wet grip to satisfy the BMW Group’s driving performance needs. 

The company said that the Ultrac star-marked tyres would be available in the replacement market as well as via BMW franchised dealers. 

It said this is the latest in a series of OE supply agreements that Apollo Tyres secured with major car manufacturers over recent months, strengthening the Vredestein brand’s position within the European OE segment. 

Benoit Rivallant, President and CEO at Apollo Tyres Europe, said, “During the development of the bespoke Ultrac tyres for the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, our R&D team focused on supporting key characteristics of the vehicle, contributing to driving pleasure, refinement and efficiency.” 

The company said the latest Ultrac tyre range would achieve a 15 per cent improvement in dry and wet handling over its predecessor. This is the result of an enhanced tyre cavity with a squarer footprint, stiffer tread pattern, and centre rib with parabolic lateral grooves, which combine to enhance steering response and precision for a safe and dynamic driving experience.

Additionally, the tyre’s five per cent improvement in rolling resistance boosts fuel efficiency and lowers CO2 emissions, the release claimed.

The Ultrac also features a 50 per cent increase in unique, tractionenhancing silica and resin compounds to achieve 10 per cent better braking on dry and wet surfaces, it pointed out.

Shock absorption and noise mitigation are enhanced by the reduced apex height, optimised sidewall construction and increased flex zone. In addition, the pitch sequence of the tyre has been optimised for different tyre diameters to increase acoustic comfort, the release added. (TT)  

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JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. has formally completed the merger of its subsidiary, Cavendish Industries Ltd., into its operations, a strategic move that follows Cavendish's acquisition in 2016. At that time, Cavendish was operating at only 30 percent of its manufacturing capacity for various vehicle tyres. Under JK Tyre's stewardship, the subsidiary received extensive managerial, financial and technical support, which facilitated a complete operational turnaround. Through optimised manufacturing processes, capacity utilisation dramatically increased to 95 percent. Additional expansion at the Laksar facility further bolstered its substantial contribution to the company's overall tyre production.

This consolidation is projected to generate significant value by combining operational strengths, achieving greater economies of scale, and creating a more robust and diversified product portfolio. The unified entity will also benefit from an extensive, integrated distribution network. The merger aligns with JK Tyre's enduring strategy of pursuing sustainable growth through both organic projects and strategic acquisitions. Cavendish’s successful integration represents the company’s third major operational turnaround, following previous revitalisations of Vikrant Tyres and JK Tornel Mexico, alongside the establishment of two Greenfield plants.

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Hankook Tire has further solidified its commitment to sustainable manufacturing with the recent International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS awarded to its Daejeon plant. This globally recognised certification validates the use of bio-based and recycled materials and ensures supply chain transparency, representing the company’s third such achievement following earlier certifications at its Geumsan and Hungary facilities. At the Daejeon site, the substitution of fossil-based synthetic rubber with bio-circular polymers has substantially lowered the environmental impact across the entire product lifecycle.

This milestone reinforces Hankook Tire’s comprehensive ESG strategy, which now encompasses original equipment, replacement and motorsport tyre production. A notable example is the supply of high-performance rally tyres, incorporating up to 31 percent sustainable materials, for the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship. The company’s sustainable innovation is also evident in products like the iON evo tyre for the Porsche Taycan, which uses 45 percent recycled and recyclable materials without compromising performance. Similarly, the iON GT replacement tyre for the European market integrates up to 77 percent certified materials and has earned top EU Tyre Label ratings.

Beyond product development, Hankook Tire is pioneering future mobility solutions, showcased by a concept tyre with 81 percent sustainable materials presented at IAA Mobility 2025. In electric motorsport, as the exclusive tyre supplier for Formula E, the company has earned the FIA’s highest environmental accreditation and is set to introduce the iON Race tyre containing 35 percent sustainable materials.

To accelerate these efforts, Hankook Tire is pursuing open innovation through collaborations with technology partners such as ROTOBOOST and Solvay, focusing on advanced materials like turquoise hydrogen-based carbon black and circular silica. The company is also engaged in national research consortia to validate carbon-reduction technologies and enhance the commercial readiness of sustainable alternatives, consistently aiming to merge high performance with ecological responsibility across its global operations.

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Bridgestone India has reconstructed and revitalised the government school in Kuti village, near the National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX) in Madhya Pradesh, under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The project directly serves a marginalised community of tribal groups and migrant labourers from states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Previously, the school operated in a perilous and crumbling structure, lacking even basic facilities for its 175 students, despite the steadfast efforts of three teachers. The new, purpose-built campus now provides structurally safe and vibrant classrooms, dedicated child-friendly spaces and access to essential amenities.

This transformation is set to dramatically improve student enrolment and daily attendance by replacing a hazardous environment with one that is secure and conducive to learning. More than just infrastructure, the initiative instils a renewed sense of dignity and aspiration in both students and their families, who work primarily as daily-wage labourers, vegetable vendors and construction workers.

Executed in collaboration with the district administration and education department, this effort reflects Bridgestone India’s core mission of driving long-term social impact through strategic community partnerships. By focusing on critical gaps in educational infrastructure for displaced and underserved populations, the company fosters an environment where children can truly thrive and communities can build a more hopeful future.

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Marking a significant milestone, the Nokian Tyres facility in Oradea, Romania, produced its one millionth tyre of the year on 20 December 2025, thereby reaching its annual production target. This new factory, inaugurated in September 2024, began deliveries in March and is dedicated to supplying passenger car tyres for the European market.

Its inaugural year saw the production of premium models like the Nokian Tyres Snowproof 2 winter tyre, upholding the company’s 90-year legacy of safety and sustainability. The product range expanded this year with the launch of two further tyres for Europe: the Seasonproof 2 all-season and the Powerproof 2 summer tyre, with more new products planned for future manufacture at the site.

Distinguished as the world’s first full-scale zero-CO2-emissions tyre factory, the Oradea plant operates entirely without fossil fuels, employing cutting-edge production technology. Upon its anticipated completion around the end of 2027, it will become Nokian Tyres’ largest global production facility, accounting for roughly 40 percent of total capacity. It represents the company’s third major manufacturing hub alongside its existing factories in Nokia, Finland, and Dayton, US. Currently, the Romanian operation employs over 500 people, underscoring its important role in Nokian Tyres’ strategic European production network.

Paolo Pompei, President and CEO, Nokian Tyres, said, “I am very proud of our entire team for their hard work in reaching this milestone. It is a strong testament to our commitment to customers across Europe, enhancing our service level and delivering innovative products that ensure safety and comfort for drivers in all conditions.”

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