Auto Zeitung, one of Germany’s leading motoring magazines, has named the Vredestein Quatrac as the winner of the ‘Best All-Season Tyre’ award for 2021.

The tyre, competing against eight other products, also won the ‘Price-Performance Recommendation’. The magazine conducted a review of the tyre, sized – 205/55 R16, fitted to an Mk 7 Volkswagen Golf.

Key parameters of evaluation included handling and braking performance across wet and dry tests in different temperatures. Apart from performance factors, the tests also assessed the comfort levels of the tyres on different surfaces by recording rolling noise, vibration and harshness on roads.

The tyre in question, the latest, sixth-generation Quatrac, has been developed for the mid-segment market that includes family cars. In its review, Auto Zeitung stated the Quatrac is in a class of its own and highlighted the tyre’s high levels of grip at top speeds. The publication also acknowledged the low rolling resistance and its safety on snow.

Apollo Vredestein has been a key player in the all-season tyre market. With sizes ranging from 13 to 22 inches, the brand offers a diverse portfolio of all-season tyres for most cars.

Before this award, the Quatrac was declared the joint winner by Auto Bild Allrad in Germany, receiving the highest or second-highest mark in each of the 14 test categories. In 2020, it also came second among 32 other all-season tyres in a major test by Auto Bild.

Yves Pouliquen, Head of Marketing and Sales, Apollo Tyres Europe, said, “We take pride in our all-season range – it’s at the heart of the Vredestein brand. The Quatrac in particular has pioneered innovation and growth in the all-season segment and we continue to invest in research and development to ensure the tyre remains a performance leader. To receive an award from Auto Zeitung shows that our hard work has paid off.” (TT)

LANXESS, a specialty chemicals company, has successfully placed a six-year-tenor euro benchmark bond with a coupon of 0.0 percent in the European capital market.
The company, with about 14,800 employees in 33 countries, will use the funds to finance the planned acquisition of IFF, a US-based chemical company involved in microbial control.

The new bond is listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange in denominations of EUR 1,000.

Michael Pontzen, CFO, LANXESS, said, “We have secured the first step of financing already quickly after the announcement of the acquisition of IFF Microbial Control and are happy about the very receptive reaction of the capital market to our offering.” (TT)

Goodyear has launched its new RT-3B bead-to-bead tread in US and Canada in sizes 20.5R25 and 23.5R25 for off-the-road (OTR) tyres.

The new retread provides all-around performance for loaders and graders. Joining the existing lineup of premium off-the-road Goodyear tyres, the retread provides up to 60 percent savings compared to a new tyre.

Used extensively in gruelling OTR applications, retreading helps extend the life of tyres while delivering high traction and minimal tread wear. Additionally, retreading promotes sustainability by reducing unnecessary waste.

The new Goodyear RT-3B is cured in a mould and press method to generate low heat through long hours of usage via its 115-level tread depth. Strongly cut-resistant in nature, the centerline lugs and open shoulder provides optimal traction.

Loic Ravasio, General Manager, Global and Americas OTR, Goodyear, said, “We are always focused on delivering high value and low cost of ownership to our OTR customers. The RT-3B is a substantial addition to our retread portfolio providing another great option for operators to help drive efficiency, reduce costs and protect the environment.” (TT)

Anshuman Singhania, Dy. Managing Director of JK Tyre, has been appointed managing director of the company, effective October 21,2020.

Anshuman Singhania joined the Company as an Executive and over the years has been deeply involved in various activities of the Company in different positions, said the company.

Singhania is also Vice Chairman of ATMA

He is a graduate from Oxford Brookes University, UK and an alumnus of London Business School. As a young leader, he started his career from the shop floor as an apprentice and has held several positions in Planning, Production, Product Development, Quality Control, Stores & Purchase, Finance as well as Sales & Marketing. Being a techno-savvy person, he has played a key role in implementing the latest technologies in the manufacturing process at JK Tyre.

Yokohama Off-Highway Tires recently held the groundbreaking and foundation stone unveiling ceremony of its new plant at Atchutapuram, Visakhapatnam - Andhra Pradesh, India.

In the online event, Masataka Yamaishi , President & Chairman of the Board, Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd broke the ground to commence construction work.

Yamaishi San unveiled the Foundation Stone virtually in the presence of Atao Kishi San: Chairman - ATC Tires Pvt. Ltd. and Managing Officer - The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., Nitin Mantri – CEO and Anil Gupta – COO and the leadership team at Yokohama Off-Highway Tires.

The new plant will have a daily production capacity of 55 tons (rubber weight), with planned capital investment totalling US$165 million. The plant, which will be the company’s third plant in India, will manufacture its three brands ALLIANCE, GALAXY and PRIMEX brand tyres.

 Yokohama Off-Highway Tires currently has two tyre plants in India—the Dahej Plant in Gujarat and the Tirunelveli Plant in Tamil Nadu.