The Bronco comes with only the absolute essentials, making it ripe for customer personalisation by a full line of factory-backed accessories. But then it still has all that make a Bronco a Bronco – standard 4x4, easy to remove doors and roof, optional 35-inch tyres in the Sasquatch Package.

The all-new Bronco Sport is your wilderness guide with four unique series engineered to match the way you experience the outdoors. Each, expertly equipped to get you out there — To the mountain ranges, the woodland trails, and the scenic shores. Your adventure begins in a Bronco Sport, and it never ends.

The Bronco breed was born in 1966, and soon it became a winner, thumping wild hearts everywhere and setting the mould for the modern SUVs.

VOLKSWAGEN PUSHES UP EV RANGE

Volkswagen is on full steam ahead pushing ups its EV range. Reports say the VW Group is planning to spend £64 billion on electric, hybrid and digital technology developments in the next five years. The company is coming up with VD ID.4 and also a variant – the VD ID-5, fully electric crossover family drive. The ID-5 coupe will be available only in Europe, at least for now. VW ID series have been quite a name in the EV market. The ID-3, recently launched in China, is already highly talked about.

The ID-4 US production is soon to start and will soon be followed by UK launch. The new ID 4 GTX is due to reach the UK in the middle of next year.

The ID-5 is basically the revamped version of the 4, with a slanting roof unlike the conventionally designed body of the global model, reports say. The ID 5 range is expected to include single-motor rear drive and dual-motor four-wheel drive, including the top-of-the-line 302bhp performance set-up used in the headlining ID 5 GTX model.

TRAILBLAZER 2021: BOLD AND HI-TECH

The All-New 2021 Trailblazer is bold, spacious and has the technology and capability to help you get up and get out there. And with multiple trims to choose from, your style options are as open as the road ahead.

Its sculpted design and bold proportions give it a fresh, modern feel. And the standard two-tone roof on ACTIV and RS sets you apart from other cars on the road.

The surprisingly spacious interior features a versatile centre console that keeps items within easy reach. Your passengers stay comfortable with best-in-class rear-seat leg room and plenty of spots to store their things.

The 40/60 rear seats fold down to allow for 54.4 cu. ft.† of cargo volume, giving you plenty of space for whatever you want to load up. And for your biggest items, the available front passenger seat folds flat to offer room for objects up to eight and a half feet long.

CADILLAC ESCALADE: CURVED OLED DISPLAY

The 2021 Escalade offers available Super Cruise, the first truly hands-free driver-assistance feature for compatible highways. Super Cruise on Escalade offers several new enhancements, including Lane-Change-on-Demand functionality. Late availability starting early 2021.

The new Escalade has the industry’s first curved OLED display with twice the pixel density of a 4K TV. This leading-edge technology enables bold imagery, perfect blacks and the largest colour range available in the automotive arena.

Bold style is more than expressive–it’s expansive. Cadillac has extended Escalade 8 inches and lowered the floor, resulting in an additional 10.1 inches of third-row leg room.

The front Daytime Running Lamps pulsate twice, the rear LED Light Blades illuminate from bottom to top twice and the Cadillac Crest illuminates on the back of the Curved OLED Display. Additionally, an available puddle lamp with the Cadillac Crest appears in anticipation of your arrival.

The standard hands-free liftgate can be opened with a push on the Cadillac Crest or with a simple kicking gesture. Alternatively, it can also be opened by using your key fob or by pressing the overhead button within the vehicle.

NISSAN ROGUE 2021: A FAMILY AFFAIR

The 2021 Nissan Rogue is very much a crossover, 5-capacity family affair. The upgraded technologies go with the new cool factor with better aerodynamics and higher fuel efficiency. The 2021 Rogue comes in S, SV, and SL trim levels. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, a continuously variable transmission, and front-wheel or all-wheel drive make the upgrade worth the efforts. The compact SUV is 1.2 inches shorter clearance is 0.2 inches lower compared to the earlier edition.

With Nissan’s V-Motion grille design, the front is sleeker. new Rogue features a stacked LED running light and LED headlight arrangement for a sleeker. Nissan calls the Rogue’s cabin a “Family Hub” that provides comfort and utility for all.

Nissan says the 2021 Rogue has a direct-injected version of the SUV’s familiar 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 181 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft. of torque. Those figures represent increases of 11 hp and 6 lb.-ft. compared to the previous Rogue.

The Rogue is equipped with standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), and featuring 10 standard airbags along with what the automaker is describing as “extended crumple zones,” the new 2021 Rogue should prove safe.

Nissan installs a larger 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the new Rogue. It sits high on the dashboard where it is easy to reference and use, and Nissan supplies power/volume and tuning knobs for the stereo as well as a row of main menu shortcut buttons for faster access to system features.

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Indian off-highway tyre maker maintains top supplier status in global recognition programme

Balkrishna Industries Ltd (BKT), one of the world’s leading off-highway tyre manufacturers, has secured the “Excellence Level” certification for the fourth consecutive year under Caterpillar’s Supplier Excellence Recognition (SER) programme, the Indian company said on Wednesday.

The recognition from the American heavy machinery giant underscores BKT’s sustained performance across quality metrics and delivery standards, reinforcing its position as a key supplier in the construction and mining equipment sector.

BKT’s partnership with Caterpillar dates back to 2015, when it began supplying tyres for the Indian market. The relationship has since expanded, with BKT now providing off-highway tyres for Caterpillar equipment ranging from 40 to 190 tonnes across various markets.

The Mumbai-based company’s certification journey began in 2017 with a Silver Level rating, followed by progressive improvements to Gold and Platinum levels before achieving the Excellence distinction in 2022.

Caterpillar’s SER programme evaluates suppliers across multiple criteria, including product quality, on-time delivery performance, technical support capabilities and operational feedback from field deployments.

“We are truly honoured to receive the Caterpillar Excellence Supplier Award. This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction,” said Ludovic Revel, President Global OEM at BKT. “It is a testament to the dedication of our entire team and the long-standing business relationship with Caterpillar.”

The Excellence Level represents the highest tier in Caterpillar’s supplier assessment framework, reserved for partners demonstrating consistent performance and reliability across operational metrics.

BKT has distinguished itself through comprehensive customer support, including proactive communication channels and technical on-site assistance, according to the company statement.

“We are proud to share our global ambitions: to deliver excellence, sustainability, and performance at every corner of the world. We look forward to carrying on our support for Caterpillar’s success with the same passion and reliability that distinguish BKT Tyres,” Revel added.

The recognition comes as global demand for construction and mining equipment remains robust, driven by infrastructure development and commodity extraction activities worldwide.

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Michelin Connected Fleet North America has named Willem Moore as its new Chief Executive Officer. Having been with the parent company since 2019, Moore brings considerable leadership expertise from the technology and mobility sectors. In his new role, he will steer the company's mission to provide advanced fleet management solutions that enhance customer efficiency, safety and sustainability.

“Willem brings an extensive leadership experience in the technology and mobility arenas and will guide our mission to deliver innovative fleet management solutions that drive efficiency, safety and sustainability for our customers. His leadership will help us accelerate innovation while continuing to put our people, customers and partners at the centre of everything we do,” expressed the company.

Moore said, “At Michelin Connected Fleet, we help fleet customers unlock the power of data to accelerate their transformation. Thanks to connected technologies, real-time insights and personalised support. Because we go beyond tools by partnering with our customers. Our end-to-end approach combines smart hardware, advanced analytics and the strength of Michelin’s 130+ years of innovation and trust. I’m honoured to lead such a talented and passionate team across North America and to continue building strong, trusted relationships with our customers and partners. Together, let’s keep moving mobility forward!”

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Indian tyre manufacturer Tolins Tyres Ltd launched heavy-duty tractor rear tyres, completing its agricultural tyre portfolio as the company seeks to capitalise on India’s farming sector ahead of the harvest season.

The Kerala-based firm, which already produces tractor-trailer tyres, front tyres and tiller tyres, said the new product would enable it to offer farmers a complete tyre solution for tractors whilst opening fresh revenue streams in the agricultural market.

India’s agriculture sector, which employs nearly half the country’s workforce, is preparing for the upcoming harvest season that typically begins in late September. Tractor sales have remained robust in recent months as farmers invest in mechanisation to boost productivity.

Tolins plans to distribute the new rear tyres through its network of more than 1,200 dealers across India, ensuring availability during the critical farming period.

"The launch of our tractor rear tyres is a significant milestone as it completes our tractor tyre range, enabling us to serve farmers with a comprehensive solution," said Dr KV Tolin, promoter, chairman and managing director of Tolins Tyres.

"Agriculture remains at the heart of India's economy, and we are committed to supporting farmers with durable, high-performance products that enhance efficiency and reliability in the field. Backed by our strong dealer network of over 1,200 partners, this new offering will not only support farmers during the upcoming harvest season but also strengthen Tolins' position in the agricultural segment whilst opening new avenues of growth for the company."

The company said the timing of the launch would allow farmers to prepare their machinery ahead of the 2025 harvest season.

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In the tyre industry, it is very difficult to change a supplier. Once you are a good vendor for the tyre companies, it is very difficult to dislodge the vendor unless they have something really bad. However, post the recent pandemic in 2020, there has been a sea change in the mindset of the tyre companies.   

For a new vendor to enter into the mindset of a tyre purchase head, you have to go head over heels to promote your product and have various tests conducted. However, it still is a long and painstaking process, which could take years just to know that you have not been approved. The importance of getting the right raw material is very important because if the compound is not right, then there is a good chance that the tyre could fail and could lead to a very big lawsuit, especially If a consumer has had a near death experience. So the tyre company has to be 100 percent sure that the new raw material is much better, safer, durable and sustainable.

In the pre-Covid era, you could see that well-established suppliers who have been in the market for decades would not consider participating in an industry event as they did not feel the need because they felt they were well established in the market.

However, after Covid, many companies, especially the vendors, struggled to supply the raw materials to tyre companies due to various issues such as plant shutdown due to labour shortage due to Covid regulations, logistics issues such as lack of truck drivers and less availability of containers, political issues with certain countries, ongoing wars and disputes between countries etc.

So the tyre company purchase heads were compelled to look at other alternative suppliers. If you see the current situation, various tyre companies across the world are under stress as the plants in certain countries are not being viable to run due to various reasons. So they got to be mindful of their purchase of raw materials.

Many tyre companies have also vowed to go the sustainable route by having more ecofriendly materials. So the raw materials companies, whether new entrants or well-established players, have to keep working on innovative products that are sustainable as well as price-competitive.

Tyre companies and their suppliers participating in various forums, such as the recently concluded Tyre Materials Conference in Delhi on 24 June, is encouraging as it provides a platform for the tyre/retread companies to interact with their vendors to understand the changing requirements of tyre companies coming out with new solutions to have a better, safer and sustainable tyre out in the market. n

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