Japan’s endurance race, Super Taikyu Series, will begin its 2021 season with the opening race held on March 20 with Hankook Tire as the exclusive tyre supplier.
The Super Taikyu Series is Japan’s longest-running endurance racing series. It was launched in 1991 and now is the largest Endurance Grand Touring (GT) Series in Asia. The Series not only allows race cars but also production cars that are modified into racing cars, adding enjoyment for spectators and fans.
The Series is also notable for featuring a multi-class structure in order to accommodate a variety of car models. There are nine classes, featuring various models from global premium car brands such as Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, McLaren, Aston Martin and Toyota.
The season starts with the opening match at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Japan. The season will be held in a total of six rounds until November in different circuits including Sportsland SUGO, Fuji Speedway, Autopolis, Suzuka Circuit and Okayama International Circuit.
- The opening match takes place at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Japan from March 20-21.
- Hankook Tire will serve as the exclusive supplier of racing tyres, demonstrating its performance throughout the 2021 season.
The first official test race was held at Fuji Speedway on February 27, ahead of the opening match. Hankook Tire was commended highly for its excellent durability and grip, further raising expectations for the upcoming nine-month championship.
Hankook Tire, which became a title sponsor and an exclusive tyre supplier for the 2021 season in which the Series marks its 30th anniversary, will supply race tyres to approximately 60 participating cars. Furthermore, the official title "Super Taikyu Series 2021 Powered by Hankook" will be used and exposed in every game throughout the 2021 season.
“We are thrilled to be part of the Super Taikyu Series 2021, as many global motorsports fans are excited by this Asia’s most renowned pro-am endurance race which invites both professional and amateur drivers to participate and exhibit their performances,” said Sooil Lee, President and COO of Hankook Tire & Technology. “We will once again prove our top-notch technology capabilities and premium performance as well as deliver our passion for the global motorsports and innovative spirit to the world.” (TT)
Michelin Rolls Out First Indian-Made Premium Car Tyres in Chennai
- By TT News
- September 30, 2025
French group targets fast-growing SUV segment with INR 6.86 billion
Michelin has produced its first premium passenger car tyre in India, marking a strategic shift for the French manufacturer’s Chennai facility, which previously focused exclusively on commercial vehicle production.
The plant unveiled the made-in-India passenger tyres on Tuesday, with commercial availability planned for the first half of 2026. The company will target the premium segment with products ranging from 16 to 22 inches, including its Primacy 5 range as the initial offering.
Michelin will manufacture its LTX Trail ST, Pilot Sport 4 SUV, Pilot Sport 5, and Primacy 5 ranges in India.
The move follows Michelin’s September 2024 announcement of an INR5.64 billion investment in passenger car tyre manufacturing. The group has since added over INR 1 billion for subsequent phases, bringing total investment to INR 6.86 billion, supplementing the INR 28 billion already deployed at the Chennai site.
India’s passenger car market, valued at USD 18.13 billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 33.85 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of approximately 11 percent. Sport utility vehicles now account for more than half the market, a trend that Michelin is positioning itself to capitalise on.
“Better infrastructure, rising disposable income, changing consumer preference of the growing Indian middle class’s desire for more versatile, spacious, and feature-rich vehicles are fuelling growth and premiumisation of the car park,” the company said in a statement.
Michelin scaled production in 12 months from announcement to first output, including 50,000 hours of employee training at various Michelin factories overseas. The new passenger car line spans 22,000 square metres and incorporates what the company describes as “Industry 5.0” automation.
The facility requires only 200 employees, compared to the industry standard of 500 for comparable capacity, according to Michelin. The Chennai plant already produces 38 tyre variants for trucks, buses and defence applications, with all business-to-business products fitted with radio-frequency identification tags.
Michelin has expanded its retail presence to 75 standalone service centres across India and opened what it terms an “experience store” in Nashik. The company plans to expand this network as production increases.
The Chennai facility operates with a zero carbon footprint, zero liquid discharge, and complete recycling, sourcing 80 per cent of its water from rainwater harvesting while drawing 45 per cent of its energy from renewable sources.
The company, which employs 129,800 people across 175 countries, positions itself as a “world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites” with operations spanning mobility, construction, aeronautics and healthcare sectors.
Jay Dhillon Appointed As President Of BKT USA
- By TT News
- September 29, 2025
In a strategic move to bolster its position in the United States, Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT Tires) has announced two key executive appointments for its American operations. The company has named Jay Dhillon as the President of BKT USA and appointed Minoo Mehta as a Senior Advisor.
With more than two decades of international experience in the tyre sector, Dhillon will be responsible for leading the Ohio-based subsidiary. His mandate is to drive long-term growth by expanding into new and existing markets, aligning all business units with strategic objectives and cultivating profitable partnerships to ensure sustainable industry leadership.
Mehta, taking charge from 1 October 2025, will focus specifically on the truck and bus radial tyre segment, providing expertise to support the development and launch of new product lines. This dual appointment is designed to strengthen the company's overall strategy and market presence across its key off-highway and radial tyre businesses in the US.
Dhillon said, “I am excited to join the BKT team and contribute to its forward-looking growth. With over 20 years in the tyre industry and an engineering background, my goal is to lead the team and drive success during this dynamic time while upholding the company’s commitment to quality, innovation and excellence.”
BKT Accelerates On-Road Tyre Push With Dedicated Base At NATRAX
- By TT News
- September 29, 2025
Mumbai-based Balkrishna Industries (BKT), a major player in the global Off-Highway Tyre (OHT) market, is making a significant move to expand its footprint in the on-road vehicle tyre segment with the inauguration of a new ‘Vehicle Dynamics & Testing’ (VD&T) base at the National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX) facility in Indore.
The new base leverages India's premier automotive testing grounds – Asia's second-largest and longest – to enhance BKT’s product development, particularly across the two-wheeler, passenger car radial (PCR) and commercial vehicle radial segments.
BKT's strategic decision to establish the VD&T base, inaugurated by Satish Sharma, Sr President & Director - Business Development and Strategy, marks a major step in the company's commitment to enter new segments.
By tapping into NATRAX's state-of-the-art infrastructure, BKT aims to accelerate new product development, enhance performance & reliability and address evolving needs by utilising real-world testing scenarios to cater to the specific demands of Indian and international consumers.
The facility is equipped with advanced machinery and an expert R&D team, providing a critical hub for high-quality, innovative tyre development across all mobility segments.
Access to NATRAX will enable BKT to test its tyres across a comprehensive range of real-world driving conditions and parameters, including – ride & handling, comfort, braking performance, durability and off-road terrain simulation.
These robust testing capabilities are crucial for meeting the requirements of both Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and the replacement market. The goal is to ensure that every tyre offers world-class quality and gives everyday consumers confidence in its performance.
By investing in dedicated R&D at NATRAX, BKT is not only reinforcing its position in the global tyre industry but is also signalling its serious intent to become a formidable competitor in the rapidly growing on-road vehicle tyre market.
Satish Sharma, said, “At BKT, we are leveraging our decades of expertise in off-highway tyres as we expand into on-road vehicle segment. Our entry into the consumer space is guided by a clear commitment: developing tyres that users can trust for safety, comfort, mileage and reliability on every journey. The establishment of dedicated VD&T base at NATRAX marks a pivotal step in our journey to deliver world-class tyres across segments. This facility empowers us to simulate real-world conditions and rigorously test our products for performance, safety and durability. By addressing key consumer pain point, be it ride comfort, braking efficiency, or terrain adaptability; we are committed to engineering solutions that truly elevate the driving experience.”
Sabrina Soussan Nominated To Succeed Reitzle As Chair Of Continental’s Supervisory Board
- By TT News
- September 20, 2025
Continental AG’s Supervisory Board is experiencing a significant transformation in the wake of its Aumovio spin-off. This restructuring involves several high-profile departures and new appointments. Stefan E Buchner resigned on 4 September 2025 to assume the role of Chairman of the Supervisory Board at the newly independent Aumovio SE. Shortly thereafter, on 17 September, Dr Gunter Dunkel also stepped down.
The most significant new appointment is that of Sabrina Soussan, who is slated to join as a shareholder representative. Subject to her anticipated formal appointment by the local court at the end of September 2025, Soussan will then be nominated for election at the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting on 30 April 2026. Following that meeting, the Supervisory Board is expected to elect her as its new Chairperson. She will succeed the long-serving Prof Wolfgang Reitzle, who is scheduled to conclude his 16-year tenure at the close of the 2026 meeting.
Soussan is a German-French executive with over 25 years of experience in the automotive and transport sectors. Her extensive background includes leadership roles such as CEO of Siemens Mobility, senior positions at Siemens VDO and Continental, and most recently, serving as CEO and Chair of the French SUEZ Group. She also holds a position on the Shareholders’ Committee at Henkel.
Substantial changes are also occurring among the employee representatives. Petra Hartwig, Sabine Kühn, Michael Linnartz and Nicole Werner have been nominated for appointment, which is also expected to be finalised by the court in late September. Their appointments follow the resignations of several individuals, including Christiane Benner and Dr Matthias Ebenau, who stepped down because their roles at IG Metall no longer encompass responsibility for Continental. Furthermore, the employee representatives from the spun-off automotive business have also departed.
Assuming all anticipated court appointments proceed, the reconstituted Supervisory Board will comprise a blend of continuing and new members, including Prof Reitzle until his departure, and the newly appointed representatives.
Wolfgang Reitzle, Chairman of the Continental Supervisory Board, said, “Following the successful spin-off of Aumovio, we are now paving the way for an orderly succession. In Sabrina Soussan, the Nomination Committee has secured a highly qualified candidate for this role. I look forward to working with her and the other new Supervisory Board members. I would also like to thank the departing members for their commitment during this intense phase of transformation and for many years of trusted collaboration on the board.”
Soussan said, “Being nominated to the Continental Supervisory Board is a great honour for me. I look forward to becoming part of this outstanding team and supporting the Executive Board in implementing its strategy.”
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