India’s Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) has urged the government to lower the goods and services tax (GST) rate on tyres from the current 28 percent slab, stating that such a move would reduce vehicle operating costs and lower logistics expenses across the economy.

In a communication to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the industry body stated that tyres, which are taxed at the highest GST rate, should not be treated as luxury goods, given their critical role in supporting transportation, agriculture, and infrastructure. By contrast, tractor tyres attract 18 percent GST and aircraft tyres five percent.

“Tyres are indispensable to the movement of people and goods across India. Given their essential role in supporting national priorities of agriculture, logistics efficiency and infrastructure, tyres should not be treated on par with luxury goods,” said Arun Mammen, chairman of ATMA.

The association has argued that lowering GST on tyres to five percent would ease the financial burden for farmers, small traders and service providers, as well as the construction and mining industries, where tyre costs form a significant part of operating expenditure.

ATMA also raised concerns about the risk of tyre dealers accumulating unused input tax credits if GST rates are revised. To avoid working capital from being locked, it is recommended that new rates be announced swiftly and accompanied by a one-time refund of unused credits arising from rationalisation.

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In a significant move for UK road safety, TyreSafe, the nation's dedicated tyre safety charity, has formed a landmark partnership with the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA). This alliance represents a powerful consolidation of industry voices, uniting manufacturers, distributors and safety advocates behind the common goals of enhancing road safety, elevating professional standards and promoting positive behavioural change among motorists.

This formal collaboration brings together two central organisations within the automotive aftercare sector. By combining their strategic objectives, they aim to amplify crucial safety messages and deepen engagement with the frontline professionals – retailers, fitters and technicians – who directly influence driver habits. The NTDA, a leading trade association founded in 1930, represents over 300 companies operating more than 2,000 retail outlets across the country, from major national chains to independent family-run businesses.

The partnership will facilitate joint public campaigns, shared research projects and the development of educational resources designed to help both consumers and industry professionals better understand the critical importance of correct tyre maintenance and timely replacement. This collaborative effort is bolstered by compelling new data from the NTDA's recent TyreCheck 2025 study, which examined over 58,000 vehicles. The research revealed a concerning increase in the number of tyres nearing the legal minimum tread depth, underscoring an urgent need for renewed public education on what constitutes a truly roadworthy and safe tyre. Ultimately, this unified initiative marks a new era of cooperation, driven by a shared vision to eliminate the dangers posed by illegal and defective tyres on Britain's roads.

Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said, “This partnership represents a pivotal moment for the tyre industry. TyreSafe and the NTDA share a common goal – to make tyre safety a central part of the national road safety conversation. By combining TyreSafe’s public awareness and behavioural insight with the NTDA’s trade expertise and nationwide reach, we are uniting every part of the tyre supply chain behind one clear message – safe tyres save lives. Together, we can make that message stronger, more consistent and more effective than ever before.”

Ian Andrew, CEO, NTDA, said, “The NTDA has long been committed to raising standards across the tyre trade and promoting the professionalism of our members. Working collaboratively with TyreSafe allows us to take this commitment to the next level – ensuring that retailers, fitters and technicians play a central role in improving driver understanding and road safety outcomes. This partnership will help unify our industry around shared goals, driving both cultural and practical change.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., has added a new hose with a 3/8-inch (9mm) inner diameter and a 4-spiral structure to its Versatran ISO Series of hydraulic high-pressure hoses for markets outside Japan. The sales of the new hose has already started in September 2025.

The development, the company shared, responds to increased demand from underground mining sites for hoses with small diameters and high durability to fit narrow spaces and improve operational efficiency. The new 3/8-inch hose conforms to the highest durability standard, DC Type of the ISO18752 international standard. It also meets the flame-retardant standards of the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), ensuring safety under demanding conditions.

The hose is described as flexible and easy to manoeuvre, allowing for greater freedom in machine design and more efficient maintenance.

The addition of the new 3/8-inch hose expands Versatran's lineup in the 42MPa specification to include inner diameters from 3/8 of an inch (9mm) to 2 inches (50mm). This is expected to broaden the lineup's appeal across various markets and applications beyond mining machinery.

Yokohama Rubber's Versatran brand also includes the 4SH/4SP Series (meeting the EN856 European Standard) and the R1/R2 Series (complying with the EN853 and the US Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J517 standard). The company views its hose and couplings business as a key growth driver under its Yokohama Transformation 2026 (YX2026) management plan.

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Balkrishna Industries (BKT), an off-highway tyre company, has been named Cricket Australia’s (CA) naming rights partner for the Men’s One Day International (ODI) and T20 International series against India.

The matches between Australia and India will be titled the BKT Tyres Men’s ODI Series and the BKT Tyres Men’s T20 International Series.

The three-match BKT ODI series is scheduled to begin in Perth on 19 October, followed by the five-match BKT T20I series starting in Canberra on 29 October.

The partnership reinforces BKT’s existing association with cricket and reflects its commitment to advancing the sport globally. CA’s leadership is visiting India this month to engage with key stakeholders, highlighting the significance of the partnership between the two countries through sport.

Todd Greenberg, CEO, Cricket Australia, said, “We’re delighted to welcome BKT Tyres as the Naming Rights Partner for these marquee series. Their passion for cricket and dedication to creating immersive fan experiences align perfectly with our vision for the sport. We’re expecting huge crowds across Australia for the eight matches in the ODI and T20 series and it’s great to have a partner who shares our excitement about this series and for the game itself.”

Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director, BKT, said, “This partnership with Cricket Australia marks a strategic milestone in strengthening BKT’s global footprint and deepening our connection with key markets where cricket is more than a sport — it’s a shared passion. As an Indian-origin company with a strong international presence, we see this collaboration as an opportunity to build brand equity, create meaningful engagement with fans across both India and Australia, and celebrate the values of performance, resilience and teamwork. Australia has been a key market for us for over a decade, and we are excited to elevate our journey in line with our ‘Growing Together’ philosophy.”

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A recent collaborative study from The AA and TyreSafe reveals a significant and concerning disconnect between UK drivers' confidence in their tyre knowledge and their actual understanding of legal requirements and maintenance practices. The research, which surveyed more than 22,000 individuals, indicates that while drivers grasp basic safety concepts, this awareness fails to translate into consistent action or knowledge of severe legal consequences.

A foundational safety principle is well understood; an overwhelming 98 percent of drivers correctly recognised that worn tyres increase stopping distances in wet weather. However, this awareness is not matched by familiarity with the law. A startling 61 percent of motorists are unaware that the maximum fine for driving on an illegal tyre is GBP 2,500 per tyre, meaning a vehicle with four illegal tyres could incur a GBP 10,000 penalty. Furthermore, 45 percent did not know that each illegal tyre can result in three penalty points on a driving licence, an oversight that could quickly lead to a disqualification for drivers with multiple faulty tyres.

Confusion also exists regarding fundamental legal responsibilities. Only two-thirds of respondents correctly identified that the person driving the car is legally responsible for its tyres, with a significant portion mistakenly believing the responsibility lies with the vehicle's owner. Knowledge of the minimum legal tread depth was also found to be lacking, with just 57 percent correctly stating it is 1.6 mm for cars.

This gap between perceived and actual knowledge is further evidenced by inconsistent checking habits. While an overwhelming 96 percent of drivers claimed to know how to check tyre pressure, only 30 percent had actually done so in the week prior to the survey. Similarly, just 19 percent reported checking their tread depth weekly, with a concerning number admitting to checks less than every six months or never at all. The research also identified clear demographic trends, with male and older drivers consistently demonstrating better knowledge and more frequent maintenance practices than female and younger motorists.

In response to these findings, The AA and TyreSafe are urging all drivers to integrate regular tyre checks into their monthly routine and before long journeys. They emphasise that maintaining correct pressure and sufficient tread depth is not merely a legal formality but a critical measure for ensuring vehicle safety, optimal handling and fuel efficiency while also avoiding severe financial and legal penalties.

Greg Carter, AA Technical Specialist, said, “The findings from our joint research are a stark reminder that while drivers understand the dangers of worn tyres in principle, a significant proportion are completely unaware of the precise legal requirements and the severe financial and licensing consequences they face for non-compliance. It’s alarming that so many drivers are risking not just their own safety and that of others, but also potentially crippling fines and driving bans, simply due to a lack of knowledge and inconsistent maintenance. We need a concerted effort to educate drivers about their responsibilities. Checking your tyre pressure and tread depth should be as routine as checking your fuel gauge. The risks of not doing so – both to safety and your wallet – are simply too high. We particularly encourage targeted campaigns for younger drivers and women to bridge the knowledge gap highlighted in our research.”

Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said, “Our partnership with The AA on this vital research has unveiled critical knowledge gaps that we, as an industry, must address. Tyres are the only contact points a vehicle has with the road, and their condition directly impacts braking, steering and overall vehicle control. It’s concerning that fundamental aspects of their maintenance and the critical legal ramifications of neglect are so poorly understood. This collaborative insight reinforces the urgent need for greater public education to empower drivers with the knowledge and habits needed to keep their tyres, and our roads, safe.”

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