All roads led to Delhi-NCR as automakers, component suppliers and allied ecosystem players showcased their mettle and contributed to the success of the world’s second-largest automotive show – Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025.

The six-day megaevent beginning 17 January 2025, spread across three venues had focus on nine key aspects of mobility. This included The Auto Expo Motor Show 2025, India International Tyre Show 2025, India Cycle Show 2025, Bharat Battery Show, Steel Pavillion and Mobility Tech Pavillion at Bharat Mandapam, new Delhi. The Auto Components Show 2025 at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi; Bharat Construction Equipment Expo and Urban Mobility & Infrastructure Show at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Nodia, respectively. The Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 had plenty of insights and updates for everyone.

In its second year, the Bharat Mobility Show 2025 was on the theme of ‘Beyond Boundaries: Co-creating Future Automotive Value Chain’. The idea was to foster collaboration and innovation across the automotive and mobility sector. For long, the Indian automotive market has been seen as a global trend follower, but now with the focus on manufacturing, technology and software-era, the country is becoming a globally major driving force.

The event spread across 100,000 square metres is said to have attracted around 983,522 visitors in the course of six days. It also hosted over 800 exhibitors, more than 500 delegates and conducted 20-plus conference with over 2,500 delegates in the span of six days. Interestingly, exhibitors had a total of 239 launches across all the concurrent shows, which is amongst the highest-ever recorded in India or probably the world.

What’s interesting to note is that, unlike most automotive global shows, the focus on different mobility ecosystem meant that exhibitors and visitors alike could have much more fruitful interactions, discussions thus leading to significant business opportunities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who inaugurated the Expo on 17 January 2025, had said, “The entire mobility industry, the whole government and the whole nation have come together for this expo. Driven by the aspirations of the people and energy of the youth, India’s automobile sector is witnessing an unprecedented transformation.”

One of the key industries that has been working exhaustively behind the scenes to support the future of mobility is the tyre segment, as their products are the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road. And with the focus on sustainability at the forefront, tyre makers and allied players are increasingly stepping up their game to support the future of mobility.

INTERNATIONAL TYRE SHOW 2025

The Indian tyre industry is pegged at more than USD 11 billion (2022-23) with exports of around USD 2.9 billion (2022-23). The country is home to more than 28 tyre makers operating 62 plants, showcasing the robust domestic demand and also the manufacturing prowess.

It was no surprise that a dedicated event was planned, where more than 30 companies across tyre makers and suppliers presented their solutions and services to showcase their latest offerings. Some of the companies present at the event include Amazon Web Services India, Apollo Tyres, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association, Bansal Wire Industries, Bridgestone India, Ceat, Eco Crumbs & Reclaim, Emerald Tyre Manufacturers, Epsilon Carbon, Fabhind, Fornnax Technology, GoGreen Enterprises, Goodyear, GRP, Himadri Speciality Chemical, INDAG Rubber, Indo Green Enviro, IRMI, JK Tyre & Industries, L&T Rubber Processing Machinerv, Madura Industrial Textiles, Michelin India, MRF, Neo Wheels, Parker Lord, Rajratan Global Wire, Ralson (India), Rubber Board, Rubber King Pvt Tyres, Sai Commodities, Sanathana Analytics and Recruitment Services, SRF, Tata Chemicals, Test Industry, Triton Valves and Tyreloop Intermesh.

For tyre makers, besides displaying their popular products, a key focus was seen on showcasing their innovation to support the electrification trend in the country. In addition to using sustainable materials, electric vehicle (EV) tyres with foam-in tyre technology, which absorbs noise, was a key highlight at the event. On the other hand, the focus was on introduction of premium tyres; for instance, Apollo Tyres showcased the Vredestein tyre, which was being localised and supplied to a premium car maker in India.

Bridgestone India on its part showcased the ENLITEN technology-based tyres, which the company claims offer the ‘ultimate customisation’ that provides enhanced ride comfort, lower noise, superior wear life and improved fuel efficiency. The tyres are designed for both IC-vehicles, EVs and can support a variety of formfactors such as SUVs, CUVs, sedans and hatchbacks. The ENLITEN technology is claimed to reduce raw material consumption and lower carbon emissions at both production and usage.

RPG Group-owned Ceat showcased its all-terrain tyres, the CrossDrive range, EnergyRide built for electric scooters, Winload Series – premium tyres for truck and tyres for the farm, mining and off-road segment. JK Tyre & Industries launched two new tubeless truck & bus tyres, JDL XM & JUM XM, in the truck category.

Ralson Tyres took the opportunity to announce its entry in the Indian commercial vehicle segment with the introduction of its globally proven technology. It was in 2023 that the company inaugurated its Indore facility to mark its foray in the commercial vehicle tyre segment. The 60,000 MTPA plant is almost running at full capacity and serves the North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East market.

The event provided an opportunity not only for tyre manufacturers to introduce new products but also for key suppliers and partners to showcase their latest technologies. Michelin displayed its wide range of tyres from Lunar tyres and concept tyres to tyres made of recycled materials and high-performance commercial tyres.

Indag Rubber, a leading supplier of pre-cured tread rubber (PTR) solutions, introduced Win Master, which it claims is a revolutionary PTR brand that enables one of the highest 100,000-km mileage on radial tyres. This high on sustainability solution, it believes, will reduce operational costs and provide exceptional value to fleet owners.

Epsilon Carbon, a leading supplier of carbon black, launched Terrablack, its new product line, which is said to support tyre makers drive towards sustainability.

The company shared that Terrablack used recovered Carbon Black (rCB) and Tyre Derived Oil (TDO), which offers high-performance, eco-friendly solutions to meet the needs of both the tyre and non-tyre industries. It is said to have been extensively tested for 24 months. The Terrablack portfolio includes Terrablack 3310, engineered for heavy-duty applications like tyre treads, which provides superior wear resistance and durability, whereas Terrablack 6615 was designed for flexibility and resilience, ideal for tyre sidewalls, hoses, belts and sealing systems.

The company also announced its plans to establish a fully integrated tyre recycling plant in Karnataka, which is expected to go live by FY2026. This facility will recycle 30,000 tonnes of tyres annually and generate 9,500 tonnes of recovered carbon black and 12,000 tonnes of tyre-derived oil.

AUTO SHOW 2025

One of the most prominent highlights of the Bharat Mobility Auto Show 2025 was the Auto Expo, where legacy and new-age automakers wanted to showcase not only their newest offerings but also their global range and their imagination of what the future vehicles would look like.

It is interesting to note that a total of 90 vehicles were launched at The Auto Expo Motor Show 2025. A vast majority of them being electric and in some cases flex fuel and other alternative powertrains.

In the passenger vehicle segment, Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest carmaker, formally marked its entry in the EV segment with the e Vitara – a pure electric SUV with a claimed range of up to 500 km. Hyundai Motor India too introduced the Creta Electric SUV, its first EV offering on its most popular product in the country. VinFast, the Vietnam-headquartered auto maker, showcased its global product offerings across passenger vehicle and two-wheeler segment, which are expected to be introduced soon in the country.

The luxury segment saw the introduction of the BMW X1 Long Wheelbase All Electric; Mercedes EQS Maybach SUV 680 ‘Night Series’ and Maybach GLS 600; JSW MG Motor India unveiled its premium affordable brand ‘MG Select’ and the first of its two offerings, the MG Cyberster and MG M9. Porsche India unveiled two groundbreaking EVs, the all-new Macan SUV and the updated Taycan sports saloon.

Tata Motors launched the new Tata Sierra, while Kia brought the new EV6. Skoda Auto India showcased its global portfolio along with concept vehicles. Other key highlights included the Suzuki Motor India’s Access electric scooter, Gixxer SF 250 Flex Fuel; Hero MotoCorp’s Xtreme 250R & Xpulse 210 motorcycles and Xoom 125, Xoom 160 scooters and Vida V2 e-scooter; Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India revealed the prices of the Activa e: and the QC1 e-scooters and Vayve Mobility showcased Eva, a solar panel integrated micro car for urban commute.

In the commercial vehicle space, Tata Motors, VE Commercial Vehicles, Eka Mobility, Ashok Leyland, Switch Mobility, Cummins India, SML Isuzu, JBM Auto, TI Clean Mobility, Omega Seiki Mobility and Olectra Greentech showcased their product offerings across ICE and EV offerings.

COMPONENTS SHOW 2025

Right over at the recently opened Yashobhoomi, the Auto Components Show 2025 was home to over 1,000 exhibitors showcasing their products and solutions for supporting the automakers in their quest for sustainability.

Spread across 70,000 square metres, it attracted almost 100,000 visitors with 60 new product launches, interactive forums and engaging activities. Component makers across tier-1, tier-2, tier-3 and ancillary industries took the opportunity to not only showcase products for IC-vehicles and EVs but also presented live demonstrations for manufacturing and shopfloor activities.

This state-of-the-art exhibit featured transformative solutions shaping the future of transportation, from contributors like Bosch, HCLTech, Tata Elxsi, KPIT, QuestGlobal, and Capgemini, alongside other startups and mobility service providers.

The component makers proved their mettle by showcasing not just made-in-India but also designed-in-India products. Some of the key exhibition included DGMS-compliant safety technologies by Novus Hi-Tech to revolutionary Paint Protection Films by ALP Group, advanced EV solutions by BorgWarner and ParaSafe’s Jacket and Jeans designed specifically for motorcyclists, delivery personnel and high-risk users, representing a transformative leap in personal safety and mobility.

To conclude, the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 offered a comprehensive glimpse into the future of mobility, from software-driven innovations to sustainable manufacturing practices. With its broad focus on passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, tyres and components, the event underscored India’s emergence as a global leader in the automotive sector.

As India continues to champion sustainability, technology and localisation, Bharat Mobility Global Expo is slated to play a pivotal role in shaping the global automotive landscape.

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The rollout of GST 2.0 marks a defining moment in India’s economic journey – a reform that may well prove even more consequential than the original introduction of the Goods and Services Tax. Especially for a sector like tyres, the recent reduction in (GST) on tyres is far more than just a change in numbers. It is a transformative step that touches every wheel turning on India’s roads – from a farmer’s tractor to a trucker’s long-haul trailer and from a commuter’s scooter to a construction vehicle powering the nation’s infrastructure.

For years, tyres were taxed at 28 percent – the highest GST slab, clubbed with luxury and demerit goods. This categorisation never truly reflected the essential role tyres play in our everyday lives. Tyres are not a luxury. They are a fundamental enabler of mobility, supporting the movement of people and goods across cities, towns and villages. By bringing GST rates on tyres down to a more rational level, the government has addressed a long-standing anomaly and set the stage for widespread benefits across the economy.

The most visible impact of this move will be felt on the ground – literally. Lower GST means more affordable tyres for all users. Especially for transporters and fleet operators, tyres account for a significant chunk of vehicle running costs. A reduction in tax translates into lower replacement costs, freeing up working capital and improving operational margins. Farmers, small traders, delivery personnel, service providers, transporters – every segment that relies on mobility will feel this relief.

India has been working hard to bring down logistics costs, which are believed to be about 13–14 percent of GDP – much higher than global benchmarks. Tyres have a direct bearing on vehicle operating efficiency, fuel consumption and maintenance schedules. When tyres become more affordable, operators can replace tyres on time, and run vehicles more efficiently.

This naturally leads to lower logistics costs. Reduced logistics costs ripple across the value chain, helping industries move goods faster and at lower cost. This aligns perfectly with India’s ambition to become a more globally competitive manufacturing and trading hub.

Tyre industry’s story is not just urban – it’s deeply rural as well. Tractor tyres, power tiller tyres and tyres for animal-drawn vehicles are integral to the agricultural economy. A reduction in GST brings meaningful relief to farmers and small cultivators who rely on these tyres for their daily operations. By easing this cost, the government has extended direct support to rural mobility and agricultural productivity – an often underappreciated but critical outcome of this reform.

One of the most powerful yet often overlooked impacts of this decision lies in road safety. Worn-out tyres are a major cause of road accidents, particularly on highways. High replacement costs often lead to tyres being used well past their safe life.

With lower GST making new tyres more accessible, both individual motorists and commercial fleet owners are more likely to replace tyres on time, keeping vehicles safer and reducing accident risks. This complements the government’s broader road safety agenda, making highways not just faster but safer for everyone.

For the Indian tyre industry, which is one of the largest in the world, this reform is a game changer. It creates a more balanced tax structure, supports better cash flow, improves compliance and strengthens the competitiveness of domestic manufacturers. It will also encourage investment and capacity expansion, enabling the industry to serve growing domestic demand and tap export opportunities more effectively.

The GST reduction on tyres is a strategic, forward-looking policy decision that will benefit the entire mobility ecosystem. It acknowledges the essential role tyres play – not just as a product, but as a critical enabler of transportation, logistics, rural livelihoods and road safety.

As this reform takes root, its positive impact will be felt by consumers, businesses, farmers and industries alike. The tyre industry, represented by ATMA, welcomes this move wholeheartedly and remains committed to working alongside the government to strengthen India’s journey towards affordable, efficient and safe mobility for all.

The author is Director General of the New Delhi-based tyre industry association, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA).The views expressed here are personal.

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WACKER has earned the 2025 Gold Medal from the independent rating agency EcoVadis, marking its continued recognition for sustainable practices and responsible corporate governance. This distinction places the company within the top five percent of all businesses assessed by EcoVadis (over 1,000 companies globally). WACKER's overall score improved from 77 points (in 2024) to 79 points, driven largely by enhanced reporting and concrete actions focused on Scope 3 emissions and ethical standards.

The EcoVadis assessment measures the quality of a company’s sustainability management through a methodology grounded in international frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative, the UN Global Compact and ISO 26000. Performance is scored from 0 to 100 across four core areas: environment, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement, using 21 specific indicators.

In line with its commitment, WACKER provides its EcoVadis evaluation to customers as a standardised and credible validation of its sustainability efforts. The company has also defined ambitious climate targets, aiming to halve its absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 relative to 2020 levels. Progress is already evident, with a 30 percent reduction achieved as of 2024. Looking further ahead, WACKER strives to reach net-zero emissions across its operations by the year 2045.

Peter Gigler, Head of Corporate ESG, WACKER, said, “The result confirms our initiatives in many key areas. It provides our customers with invaluable proof.”

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Balkrishna Industries Ltd (BKT Tires), a global leader in off-highway tyre manufacturing, has appointed Craig Borman as Head of OTR at BKT USA. The appointment is in line with BKT’s long-term strategy through 2030.

Borman brings with him 20 years of experience across off-road equipment, tyres and rubber tracks. He will play a key role in leading BKT USA's OTR team and expanding the company's presence in this market while increasing awareness of the value and dependability of BKT's range of products.

Borman said, “I’m extremely excited to join the BKT family and to build off the successes that this team has already achieved. I look forward to engaging with our partners, determining how we can accelerate our mutual growth and working towards achieving BKT’s vision of being a recognised leader in the OTR segment.”

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The Supervisory Board of Continental AG confirmed a significant leadership transition during its meeting on 17 December 2025. Christian Kötz will be appointed as the new Chairman of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 January 2026. He succeeds Nikolai Setzer, who will step down from the Executive Board on 31 December 2025. Setzer's departure follows more than 16 years as a board member, including the last five years in the CEO role, and occurs by mutual agreement as the company reaches a pivotal point in its strategic evolution.

This planned change in leadership aligns with the substantial progress Continental has made in its transformation into a pure-play tyre company. Major structural milestones have been achieved, including the spin-off of Aumovio and the signing of an agreement to sell the Original Equipment Solutions (OESL) business area. Regarding the planned 2026 sale of ContiTech, internal preparations are largely complete. The market outreach phase has concluded, and a structured sales process is scheduled to begin in January 2026, setting the stage for the final step in the corporate realignment.

Kötz’s extensive background within the tyre business, dating back to 1996, positions him to lead this final phase. A member of the Executive Board since 2019, his previous leadership roles within the Tires group sector included responsibility for the passenger car tyre replacement business in the EMEA region, the original equipment and commercial vehicle tyre business units and global research and development for passenger car tyres. His many years of trusted collaboration with Nikolai Setzer are expected to ensure continuity during the transition.

Kötz will lead an Executive Board comprising several key figures. Alongside him and Philip Nelles, who has headed the ContiTech group sector since 2021, are Roland Welzbacher and Ulrike Hintze. Welzbacher joined the board in August 2025 and assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer on 1 October 2025. Hintze was appointed to the board on 1 July 2025, serving as Chief Human Resources Officer and Director of Labour Relations. This board will be responsible for driving the tyre business forward, completing the corporate realignment and, following the sale of ContiTech, integrating the remaining group functions into the tyre organisation.

Wolfgang Reitzle, Chairman of Continental’s Supervisory Board, said, “Nikolai Setzer has been instrumental in shaping Continental, realigning the organisation and paving the way for three strong, independent companies. For this, he has the thanks of the entire Supervisory Board as well as my personal gratitude. With this handover, we are consolidating responsibility for the tyre business, the realignment and the remaining tasks of the group functions in one role. Christian Kötz is one of the most distinguished managers in the global tyre industry. With his extensive experience and passion for Continental, we firmly believe he is the right choice to lead the company successfully into the future.”

Setzer said, “In recent years, we have succeeded in transforming a diverse portfolio of businesses into three strong, independent champions. After 28 years at Continental, now is the right time for me to hand over responsibility to Christian Kötz. I’m extremely grateful for the journey we’ve all shared and proud of what we’ve all achieved together. I firmly believe that the tyre business, ContiTech, Aumovio and OESL have a promising future ahead.”

Kötz said, “I would like to thank the Supervisory Board for its trust and am excited about this new responsibility. Continental has been my professional home for three decades. Together with the Executive Board team and all colleagues throughout the company, we will complete the realignment and continue the success story of our tyre business.”

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