Westlake Performance Tyres, a brand of ZC Rubber, has teamed up with German motorsport team Red Bull Driftbrothers as the new official supplier and tyre partner. The company will supply its Westlake Sport RS tyres for the team’s two 1,000 hp BMW M4s.

Munich marketing agency die agentour was the driving force behind the collaboration. The Red Bull Driftbrothers and ZC Rubber have a long-term cooperation that benefits both parties in many ways. Giving the team tyres will help with technical advancements based on driver Elias Hountondji's input, among other things. The collaboration will also help ZC Rubber spread the word about the Westlake brand throughout the European market. Demonstrating the products' and technologies' performance and quality in harsh environments is also a clear signal to the European OEM and replacement market.

This year's ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring marked the debut of the new collaboration. The Red Bull Driftbrothers created a stir among the record-breaking audience when they performed a display drift in their recently tyred BMW vehicles during the pre-race of the renowned race. The Westlake Sport RS tires were especially taxed by the high track temperatures.

Henry Shen, Deputy General Manager, Zhongce Rubber Group (ZC Rubber), said, “We’re proud to be the tyre partner of Red Bull Driftbrothers. Their trust in WESTLAKE, especially the performance of our SPORT RS on the demanding drift circuit, is a powerful endorsement. This partnership is built on a shared drive to push boundaries, and we’re excited to support their passion with our technology on the global stage.”

Elias Hountondji, driver and engineer of Red Bull Driftbrothers, said, “We are very excited about the partnership with Westlake Performance Tyres and ZC Rubber. Tyres are crucial for our sport. They have to withstand extreme abuse while providing a consistently high level of grip right to the end. The Westlake Sport RS is the perfect choice for this. It is extremely stable across the entire temperature range and the entire tread depth. Even with a very low tread pattern, you still have complete confidence as a driver.”

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Galaxy, the off-highway tyre brand owned by Yokohama Off-Highway Tires, has introduced two additions to its construction and mining portfolio at Excon 2025 in Bengaluru, underscoring rising competition in India’s heavy-equipment tyre market.

The manufacturer unveiled the LDSR 500, an all-steel radial tyre for wheel loaders and dozers, and the RTSR 300, a model for rigid dump trucks used in mining and large construction sites. The launches reflect growing demand for tyres engineered to withstand higher loads, harsher terrain and longer operating cycles in India’s infrastructure sector.

Galaxy’s LDSR 500 features a non-directional pattern and deep tread intended to improve stability and extend service life. The RTSR 300 is designed for heavy-load haulage across varied surfaces and incorporates an open-shoulder pattern to aid traction and self-cleaning. Both tyres will be available in compounds tailored to specific applications.

Dyutiman Chattopadhyay, Chief Technology Officer at Yokohama-ATG, said the company aimed to broaden its range of advanced radial and solid tyres for the domestic market. “At Galaxy, we take pride in our customer-centric innovations and are excited to display an array of all-steel radials and large solid tyres that deliver improved wear characteristics and superior & trouble-free performance on tough terrains,” he said. “Our highly automated, state of the art facilities are well-equipped to manufacture customized tyre solutions for the Indian customers and we look forward to serving them.”

Anuj Thakar, Senior Vice-President for India and SAARC at Yokohama-ATG, said India remained a priority region. “India is a key growth market for us and it is a great pleasure to participate in the country’s biggest construction expo,” he said. “Our presence at Excon reflects our commitment to our customers in the region as we continue to provide the best tyre solutions for varied construction needs.”

The Galaxy stand also features several existing products aimed at mining, construction and material-handling fleets. These include the Mine Rock-XT, a nylon-casing tyre for use in both mining and construction; Hulk, a skid-steer tyre engineered for puncture resistance; and the LHD 510 SDS, designed with a deep groove for higher traction and lower heat build-up.

Other models on display include the Giraffe XLW, intended for backhoe loaders; the Yardmaster Radial, used on forklifts; and the LDSR 300 for loaders and articulated dump trucks.

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Goodyear has reversed an earlier plan to divest its farm tyre operations in India, opting instead to retain the business following the conclusion of a strategic review by its US parent company. The decision marks a shift in strategy for the US tyre group, which had been evaluating options for the division amid a broader restructuring programme.

Goodyear India disclosed the development to the Bombay Stock Exchange recetently, noting that the board had “took note of the communication received from The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., USA, i.e. the ultimate parent company that it has concluded the previously announced strategic review of its Farm Tire business in India and at this time has made the decision to retain ownership of the business.”

The review, initiated earlier this year, followed a sustained period of mixed performance in India’s agricultural equipment sector, where tyre demand is closely linked to tractor sales and rural income trends.

Retention of the business suggests the company sees continued strategic value in India’s agricultural market, one of the world’s largest for tractor production and a key geography for tyre manufacturers seeking stable demand cycles. The farm tyre segment, although subject to monsoon-driven fluctuations, offers long-term potential due to mechanisation trends and government support for rural development.

Goodyear India remains majority owned by the US group and manufactures a range of tyres for passenger vehicles and agricultural machinery. The company did not outline next steps for the farm division but said the communication from its parent should be taken on record.

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Linglong Tire has honoured its highest-performing dealers at a five-day gathering in London, as the Chinese manufacturer works to expand its international footprint and deepen ties with distributors across key growth markets.

Dealers from Australia, El Salvador, Egypt, Finland, Italy, Poland, Turkey and Uzbekistan were among those invited, having recorded the strongest sales of Linglong Group products in the first half of 2025. The company distributes several brands globally, including Linglong, Atlas (marketed in Australia), and Benchmark in Turkey.

Participants received certificates recognising their sales performance and attended presentations on company strategy and product developments. Some dealers also outlined their own approaches to marketing Linglong tyres in their respective regions, enabling comparisons of market conditions and promotional practices. Linglong said the exchanges offered insight into how its brands are positioned across different markets.

The event concluded with a group visit to the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal. Linglong is the global tyre partner of Chelsea, displaying its branding at the club’s home fixtures at Stamford Bridge.

Shandong Linglong Tire, founded in 1975, operates seven research and development centres and seven manufacturing plants worldwide. The company manufactures tyres for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and engineering equipment, and supplies original equipment to more than 60 automotive manufacturers. Its products are sold through nearly 200,000 outlets in 173 countries.

Linglong continues to expand beyond its Chinese production base, with existing overseas facilities in Thailand and Serbia and plans to add further sites as part of its “7+5” global manufacturing strategy. The company has been an active sponsor of international sporting events and football clubs, including Real Madrid and Chicago Bulls.

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Apollo Tyres Ltd’s Sustainable Procurement Summit and Awards 2025 marked a pivotal moment for its global supply chain, uniting a diverse assembly of more than 800 partners from over 20 countries. The gathering’s core mission was to drive collective action in forging a future-focused value chain characterised by circular principles, climate responsibility and ethical rigour. A central feature of the agenda was a vibrant panel discussion where experts analysed the transformative pressures of impending regulations and evolving market expectations, emphasising the need for robust transparency and cooperative innovation to navigate the coming decade.

The event formally commenced with leadership unveiling the detailed Sustainability Roadmap 2030, a strategic blueprint that anchors long-term environmental and social governance into the company’s operational DNA. This presentation explicitly framed Apollo Tyres' vision for procurement and set forth clear, actionable expectations for its partners in this shared journey. Further elevating the summit was an awards ceremony created to celebrate supply chain excellence. Partners were honoured across critical categories including environmental stewardship, ethics, sustainable procurement and the protection of labour and human rights, acknowledging those who have delivered tangible impact and leadership.

The distinguished award recipients– Birla Carbon, Cabot, EQ Rubber, Hyosung, Milliken, OCCL, Performance Additives, Solvay, Synthos, Teck Bee Hang and Xingda – exemplify the high standards Apollo Tyres champions. Ultimately, the summit transcended a mere conference, positioning itself as a catalyst for deeper integration and mutual commitment, reinforcing that the path to achieving ambitious 2030 goals is fundamentally built through empowered and aligned partnerships across continents.

Sunam Sarkar, President and Chief Business Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “The Sustainable Procurement Summit and Awards 2025 reflects our belief that creating a resilient and responsible value chain requires collaboration, transparency and a shared purpose. We are proud to recognise partners who are advancing sustainability in meaningful ways.”

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