It has been a childhood dream for her to drive a car. “No one had approved of my dream to drive a car but still I went for it,” she told Tyre Trends. Her parents were worried and didn’t let her drive as it was physically challenging for her, she proved them wrong. It was only after her father saw the way she drove the car his mind was at peace. There were people who gave both negative and positive comments on her passion for driving but she was determined in learning to drive a car.

“My father is now fully supportive of my passion to drive. He accompanies me to the court whenever there is a need for it. He has been the pillar of support throughout my fight.”

Jilumol, already a star in national media, learned to drive inside her hostel grounds of Mercy Nursing Home, where she grew up after the death of her mother. She practices in her car daily on the very same ground. Unfortunately, she has to satisfy her passion for driving inside the confined walls of the hostel itself.

She has been struggling her way to get her learner’s licence passed. She at first learned to get her steering balance in a normal unaltered car. She didn’t feel the usual sense of fear any girl would have they first sit behind the wheels but instead Jilumol’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

She became more and more eager to get her licence but didn’t know what to do. She had tried to contact Vikram Agnihotri, a similarly handicapped man from Indore, India, who drives his car on the road with his legs. She just wanted to know how he got his licence passed but when she asked about the same to him, he didn’t respond.  

It was when she went to take a seminar in a school in Kumily, Kerala, she met Adv. Shine Varghese. It was him who informed her about the possibility of getting her licence through the High Court. Adv. Shine Varghese along with Adv. Hariharan had helped her throughout the process.

 In the year 2018, February, she had approached the court for her licence and by July last of the same year, she got a positive judgment from the court. The court had asked the Thodupuzha RTO to accept her learner licence and also asked Jilumol to get a car altered according to her needs.

She got a custom-built Maruti Celerio Automatic car, which she got altered with the help of Biju Varghese from Erumeli, a physically challenged man who had altered his car according to his necessity. The only alteration Jilumol needed was to get the accelerator and brake pedals risen to her height. After she got her car altered, she learned to drive it all by herself using her feet.

When she went to get her car registered, the vehicle inspector insulted her by saying that he won’t register a car for a person who doesn’t have any arms to drive it. Till date, she has not been able to register her car, and since her car is not registered, she has not been able to attempt the learner’s exam.

Caring the tyres

She takes care of her car like it is her own baby and sees that she keeps takes good care of it. “Air pressure of the tyre of a car is the most important thing that needs to be checked every now and then. As of now, I drive my car every day inside the hostel compound. If there is any problem with the tyre pressure, we would automatically know it.  For those who drive their car on the road only will easily be able to understand the fault in the tyre pressure,” she said.

When asked about her dream car, she pointed at her own. She longs for the day when she can drive it on busy roads of her native place. She is still on the fight to get her car registered and get a driving licence.  

The artist

Jilumol is a foot artist under the Mouth and Foot Association, an association of about 700 artists that promotes mouth and foot artists around the world. She is also a graphic art designer professionally, currently working at Viani Printings in Ernakulam. No matter how hard things can get for her, she will never stop fighting for what she longs for.

“I started from where you stopped. If I can go this far, you can do much more’, says Jilumol Mariet Thomas.

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The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has confirmed that Pirelli will serve as the exclusive tyre supplier for all FIA-certified Formula Regional championships from 2026, aligning the series under a unified technical and sporting framework as it introduces a new generation of race cars.

Already the sole tyre supplier for Formula 1, Formula 2, and Formula 3, Pirelli’s expanded remit underscores its pivotal role across the FIA’s global single-seater development ladder. The Italian tyre manufacturer will also provide tyres for both the Formula Regional and the inaugural Formula 4 World Cups at the 2025 Macau Grand Prix, further cementing its presence in top-tier motorsport events.

“We are delighted to have been appointed sole tyre supplier for the FIA-certified Formula Regional championships,” said Mario Isola, Pirelli’s Motorsport Director. “It is a significant endorsement of the worth of our technology, and the quality and reliability of our tyres... It recognises our ability to deliver specific products for every level of driver development.”

Pirelli has supplied Formula Regional tyres since the series debut in 2019. The competition evolved into the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) following a merger with Formula Renault in 2021. From 2026, the championship will see a significant transformation with the introduction of a new car featuring bespoke 15-inch tyres developed by Pirelli to ensure improved performance and parity across all global championships.

“With Pirelli on board as an exclusive tyre partner, Formula Regional is set to thrive and deliver incredible racing and greater sporting parity across our different championships so that we offer young drivers an equal opportunity to show their skill,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. “This next phase... reflects our ambition to create a truly modern, competitive, and accessible platform for developing drivers.”

At the 2025 Macau Grand Prix, Pirelli will also supply tyres to the FIA GT World Cup, continuing a long-standing relationship with the prestigious street circuit event, which has served as a proving ground for numerous future Formula 1 stars.

Pirelli’s commitment to developing tailored products for all levels of single-seater racing reinforces its role as a key stakeholder in shaping the future of global motorsport.

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Michelin North America has introduced its latest commercial all-weather tyre, the Agilis CrossClimate 2, designed to meet the increasing demands of working fleets facing rising maintenance costs and challenging road conditions.

The new tyre aims to deliver enhanced reliability, durability, and all-season performance for commercial light trucks, which are essential to keeping goods and services moving across the country. Michelin said it will launch the tyre in 18 sizes, covering more than 90% of the market segment, with additional sizes to follow in October.

“Michelin recognises the dedication of the workforce that keeps life in motion, and we’ve created a tyre that works just as hard,” said Pierluigi Cumo, Vice President of B2B Marketing at Michelin North America, Inc. “To deliver every job on schedule, customers need a tyre forged with the same strength and resolve as the dedicated individuals whose drive fuels the community they serve. They are the few who drive the many.”

The Agilis CrossClimate 2 features Michelin’s proprietary CurbGard technology, which offers 70 percent more sidewall rubber than the FirestoneTransforce HT2 to resist curb damage. The tyre also promises up to 35 percent more mileage than the Firestone Transforce HT3 and 35 percent better snow traction compared with the Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse HT, according to Michelin internal testing.

Additional performance comes from Michelin’s SipeLock technology, which includes hundreds of biting edges to enhance traction in difficult conditions. The tyre is backed by a 20 percent longer mileage guarantee and a 60-day satisfaction warranty.

“The Michelin Agilis CrossClimate 2 tyre is the equivalent of rolling up your sleeves and powering through a job. It doesn’t take breaks, and it doesn’t back down,” Cumo said. “From the job site to the highway, this tyre doesn’t flinch. The Agilis CrossClimate 2 tyre approaches every task with the precision and pride of a master craftsman.”

Michelin has positioned the Agilis CrossClimate 2 as a strategic product launch for commercial vehicle operators striving to maximise uptime, manage costs, and enhance driver safety in all weather conditions.

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Kia has selected NEXEN TIRE’s all-season ROADIAN HTX2 tyre as original equipment for its new global pickup truck model, the Tasman. Specifically designed for SUVs and pickup trucks, these tyres will be fitted on vehicles exported to Latin America, offering a balanced combination of on-road comfort and off-road performance.

The ROADIAN HTX2 incorporates NEXEN TIRE's latest proprietary technologies to meet the diverse demands of modern pickup trucks. The tyre features an innovative 3D Kerf pattern that significantly enhances traction and snow performance, along with a specialised heat-dissipating structure engineered for high-load durability at sustained speeds. A specially formulated compound provides exceptional strength, driving stability and wear resistance, specifically optimised for pickup truck dynamics.

To ensure real-world reliability, the ROADIAN HTX2 underwent rigorous testing protocols. The tyre successfully completed cross-validation wear tests conducted in both North America and Korea, demonstrating its long-lasting performance. Additionally, it passed demanding off-road evaluations including navigation through 200 mm-deep surface irregularities and climbing 20 percent inclines, proving its capability in extreme conditions.

These comprehensive tests validate the tyre's exceptional durability and adaptability to Latin America's challenging driving environments, which include mountainous terrain, desert landscapes and winter road conditions. The successful testing results highlight the tyre's strong mileage potential and all-terrain versatility.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “We are seeing tangible results in the SUV and pickup segment thanks to our continued investment in R&D and world-class product quality. By strengthening strategic partnerships with global carmakers, we will continue to bring premium tyre experiences to customers worldwide.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has started the delivery of its ADVAN FLEVA V701 high-performance tyres in size 225/45R19 92W to be used as original equipment for Toyota Motor Corporation’s new Corolla Cross GR SPORT, a sport-oriented version of the compact SUV. The vehicle is set to go on sale in Japan, Europe, Australia and other regions starting August 2025.

The ADVAN FLEVA V701 is designed to deliver sharp handling and driving enjoyment, a core concept of Yokohama’s ADVAN brand. It is engineered for dynamic performance across various driving conditions, including city streets, winding roads and highways. Yokohama has a strong partnership with Toyota’s GR sports car lineup, having previously supplied the ADVAN APEX V601 for the GR Corolla and the ADVAN A052 for the GRMN Yaris.

This initiative aligns with Yokohama Rubber’s medium-term management plan, YX2026 (2024–2026), which focuses on increasing sales of high-value-added tyres. A key part of this strategy involves expanding the use of flagship products like the ADVAN series for performance vehicles and the GEOLANDAR range for SUVs and pickup trucks as original equipment in new cars. The collaboration with Toyota’s GR models underscores Yokohama’s commitment to enhancing its presence in the sporty and premium tyre segments.

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