Yokohama reported a decline in the sales and business profits for its tyre segment for the first quarter, ending March 2020.

The company’s tyre business’ sales declined 12.71% to 87.410 billion yen in Q12020.  It reported a net loss of 503 million yen in Q12020.

The company said the downturn in business profit reflected a decline in unit sales volume, an increase in production costs associated with reduced production volume, and inventory-adjustment costs occasioned by a tyre recall in North America.

Both domestic and international markets saw a fall in sales. “That decline reflected production adjustments necessitated by a decline in Japanese demand associated with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and by suspended operation at vehicle plants in overseas markets,” said Yokohama.

Sales revenue also declined in replacement tyres. Sales of winter tyres in Japan were weak on account of warmer-than-usual winter temperatures at the outset of the year, and Japanese business in replacement tyres also suffered from the adverse effect of the COVID-19 outbreak on consumer spending. Business in replacement tyres was generally sluggish in overseas markets, too.
ATG, a part of Yokohama looking into agri, industrial and OTR tyres, also had a fall in sales and profits due low demand.

ATG’s sales stood at 15.54 billion yen in Q12020,  a fall of 17%, from 18.86 billion yen in Q12019. Profit fell by 22% to 1.78 billion yen in Q12020.

The massive business disruption caused by COVID-19 will necessitate revisions in the full-year fiscal projections that Yokohama issued in February 2020. However, the full extent of that disruption is impossible to determine at this time, and the company will therefore withhold for the time being the release of revised business projections and of proposed dividends. Yokohama will release its revised business projections and proposals for dividends as soon as management secures a firm grasp of the fiscal outlook.

Several measures are under way at Yokohama to maintain a sound financial position in the face of the COVID-19 challenge. Those measures include fortifying short-term liquidity through optimal fund raising, paring cash expenditures by deferring capital spending and trimming costs, and reducing compensation for directors, officers, associate officers, and managers.

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Michelin has expanded its retail footprint in North India by inaugurating two Michelin Tyres & Services (MTS) outlets, located in Amritsar and Panchkula. The Amritsar location operates through a partnership with National Auto, while the Panchkula facility is a collaboration with Universal Tyres. This development underscores the French tyre giant’s strategy to place its globally recognised products and services within closer reach of consumers in a rapidly developing automotive market.

Each of the new establishments spans 5,000 square feet, situated strategically on Loharka Road and within Panchkula’s Industrial Area. Designed as modern service hubs, they provide a full spectrum of offerings, ranging from passenger car and two-wheeler tyres to advanced wheel alignment and mechanical maintenance. The stores stock renowned product lines such as the Primacy, Pilot Sport and Latitude Sport series, aiming to deliver a premium and seamless experience for vehicle owners.

The selection of Amritsar and Panchkula reflects Michelin’s assessment of their growth potential, driven by tourism, infrastructure projects and a rising number of private vehicle owners. To capitalise on these opportunities, Michelin has aligned with established regional players. National Auto, a trusted entity in Amritsar since 1927, brings a long-standing reputation for quality service, while Universal Tyres contributes over three decades of technical expertise and market knowledge in the Panchkula region.

These partnerships are central to Michelin’s broader objective of delivering superior mobility solutions rooted in safety and durability. By combining its own technological leadership with the local acumen of its partners, the company aims to strengthen its service ecosystem and cater to the evolving demands of the northern Indian automotive sector.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said, “North India continues to be a key market in Michelin's growth journey, supported by rising vehicle ownership, improving road infrastructure and growing demand for premium mobility solutions. The launch of our new Michelin Tyres & Services Stores in Amritsar and Panchkula marks another important step in strengthening our retail presence and bringing Michelin's globally benchmarked products and services closer to customers across the region. As we prepare to introduce Made-in-India passenger car tyres, we remain focused on delivering solutions tailored to the evolving needs of Indian consumers.”

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Tyres Europe has issued a formal call for the Industrial Accelerator Act to be revised, urging policymakers to grant greater recognition to the tyre sector’s strategic importance within the continent’s automotive ecosystem. In a newly published position paper, the organisation argues that the current framework insufficiently addresses the industry’s unique contributions and challenges.

The association is advocating for several key amendments, including an expanded scope that acknowledges tyres as critical components in both the replacement and original equipment markets, thereby stimulating demand for EU-manufactured products. Additionally, Tyres Europe proposes the establishment of a Union origin definition that would prioritise European production in public procurement and state-aid schemes. The paper also highlights tyres’ potential to enhance energy efficiency and lower CO2 emissions for light vehicles, while calling for dedicated backing for retreaded and EU-made truck and bus tyres, alongside increased financial mechanisms for industrial decarbonisation and improved governance of manufacturing acceleration zones.

With these targeted modifications, Tyres Europe contends that the Industrial Accelerator Act could effectively foster a market for low-carbon, high-performance tyres produced domestically. Such adjustments would simultaneously bolster competitiveness, support decarbonisation goals and reinforce the overall resilience of Europe’s automotive supply chain.

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Tegeta Green Planet and Toyota Center Tegeta served as the primary backers for a summer camp organised by Word Academy, which brought together adolescents between the ages of 8 and 17 in the Kakheti region. The initiative was designed as a digital detox, with all forms of screens and online platforms set aside in favour of immersive, real-world learning experiences.

The week-long agenda was deliberately varied, mixing educational seminars with hands-on exercises, strategic games, and open-forum conversations. Campers were given the opportunity to interact with experts from a range of occupations, all while developing their abilities in analytical reasoning, group coordination and ethical decision-making through carefully structured activities.

A significant portion of the schedule was given over to ecological subjects, with Shalva Akhvlediani, Director of Tegeta Green Planet, and his colleagues leading sessions on waste management and sustainability. The discussions centred on closed-loop systems, producer accountability frameworks and the correct disposal methods for vehicle-derived refuse, including used tyres, spent batteries and lubricating oils. Following these briefings, the teenagers engaged in spirited debates and cooperative challenges that explored the connection between daily habits and broader environmental health.

By the conclusion of the camp, the participants had reached a collective understanding that safeguarding nature is a duty shared equally by citizens, public institutions and commercial entities. Tegeta Green Planet views such educational outreach as a cornerstone of its mission. Toyota Center Tegeta echoed this sentiment, stating through its actions that nurturing youthful minds and ecological mindfulness are indispensable steps toward a resilient and enlightened tomorrow.

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Maxxis has unveiled the next iteration of its MaxxTerra rubber compound, engineered to substantially enhance both durability and traction for mountain bike tyres. The updated formulation maintains the low rolling resistance that characterises the brand’s performance range, addressing rider demands for extended tyre life without compromising capability on difficult trails.

Following extensive laboratory development and testing, Maxxis engineers achieved measurable improvements over the original compound. The new version exhibits a minimum 30 percent increase in tread wear resistance and a 15 percent gain in grip, all while preserving rolling efficiency. This advancement translates to prolonged riding sessions and reduced frequency of tyre changes for end users.

The enhanced compound will be progressively integrated across the entire trail tyre lineup, with the initial phase currently available. Consumers can distinguish the updated product through packaging marked with a ‘New MaxxTerra’ graphic, while the tyre’s sidewall badge now simply displays ‘MaxxTerra’, replacing the previous ‘3C MaxxTerra’ designation.

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