Bridgestone India, one the leading tyre companies, unveiled the winners of the 3rd Annual Mobility Social Impact Awards recently.

This distinguished initiative recognises and celebrates inventive solutions that positively influence India’s mobility industry. The award ceremony convened in Pune brought together industry leaders, innovators, and advocates for social transformation. A total prize purse of INR 3 million was conferred upon the winners across three categories.          

The Mobility Social Impact Award, introduced by Bridgestone India, is a testament to the organisation’s steadfast commitment to nurturing innovation and sustainability within the mobility domain. 

These accolades encompass three pivotal areas:

1. Commendation of mobility solutions focused on empowering marginalised social groups and communities.
2. Endeavours in the realm of road safety.
3. Initiatives dedicated to broadening access to vital resources and opportunities.

This year’s laureates represent a diverse array of projects and initiatives that have made noteworthy contributions to the mobility ecosystem:

Category: Road Safety

Recipient: Nirman Bahuuddeshiya Vikas Sanstha, Pune, Maharashtra

Achievement: Enhancing awareness about road safety among various segments in Pune, including children, driver communities, police, and traffic authorities.

Category: Increasing Access to Resources

Recipient: Vikasonmukh Sansthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Achievement: Exemplary work in livelihood generation through farm mechanisation in Jaipur, Rajasthan, significantly enhancing agricultural practices and livelihoods.

Category: Mobility for Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups

Recipient: Navajeevan Organization, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

Achievement: Promoting Safai Karamcharis, Sanitation Workers, and waste pickers as entrepreneurs, empowering them through mobility initiatives.

In addition to these primary awardees, notable mentions were also extended:

First Runner-Up: United Way of Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Project: ‘Nalam’ — Focused on providing mobile ambulance support for cancer screening.

Joint Runners-Up: Mowo Social Initiatives Foundation, Hyderabad, Telangana, and Janvikas Trust, Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Initiatives: Women in Mobility auto driving program and “Driverben- ‘Ek Nayi Pehchan’” aimed to empower women through skill development and mobility.

Furthermore, Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust, Mumbai, Maharashtra, was lauded on the jury’s special recommendation for their exceptional efforts in providing access to high-quality prosthetic aids, thereby enhancing mobility and quality of life for individuals.

On the occasion, Stefano Sanchini, MD Bridgestone India, said, “Sustainability is core to Bridgestone’s strategy and is woven into every part of our business and operations. It is also a joint responsibility and can only be achieved effectively when all stakeholders in the ecosystem come together to deliver value for future generations. These awards are truly important as we recognise and celebrate the achievements of those whose inspiring work has positively impacted the quality of life for the communities they are engaged with.”

The esteemed jury panel included Arindam Lahiri, CEO Automotive Skills Development Council, Prashant Ranjan Verma, General Secretary at the National Association for the Blind Delhi, and Dr Sudha Kothari, Managing Trustee Chaitanya.

Awardees were honoured at the event graced by Chief Guest Biren Bhuta, a recipient of the Gurukul Fellowship from the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Bhuta serves on the boards of Gram Vikas in Odisha, Bhasha Research and Publication Centre in Gujarat, and SeSTA in Assam, among other dignitaries from corporates, NGOs, Government, and local administration.

 

Indian tyre manufacturer Apollo Tyres Ltd reported a 3% increase in annual revenue to INR 261.23 billion for fiscal year 2024-25, while its net profit fell 35 percent from the previous year.

The company, which markets its products under the Apollo and Vredestein brands, saw its operating profit decline to INR 35.71 billion for the full year, compared with INR 44.47 billion in the previous fiscal year.

For the fourth quarter ended March 31, Apollo Tyres posted a revenue of INR 64.24 billion, up 3% year-on-year, while quarterly net profit dropped to INR 1.85 billion from INR 3.54 billion in the same period last year.

"We acknowledge that our performance over the past few quarters has not met industry benchmarks and our own expectations. After a thorough internal review, we have identified the key challenges that contributed to this underperformance," said Onkar Kanwar, Chairman of Apollo Tyres.

"With targeted strategies now in place to address these issues, we are confident in our ability to deliver stronger results in the coming quarters," he added.

Apollo Tyres, which has manufacturing facilities in India, the Netherlands and Hungary, distributes its products in over 100 countries.

Elmer Wiemer, Chief Financial Officer and designated Chief Executive Officer of Heuver Group, has passed away. The group shared the sad news in a statement announcing that he passed away on 4 May at the age of 48 after a brief illness.

Wiemer has had a lasting impact on the Heuver Group since he took office in 2020. As CFO, he played a pivotal role in bolstering the course, advancing the organisation's professionalism and attaining long-term success. His strategic vision and astute financial sense were always bolstered by a strong sense of accountability and a kind, humane leadership style.

“He was a true inspiration. Elmer’s legacy is tangible in the way we work together, in the culture he helped shape and in the ambitions he helped realise. We lose in him not only a leader, but also a warm personality, a dedicated colleague and a dear friend,” said Heuver Group management.

Goodyear has launched the award-winning Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 tyre in the United States and Canada. The premium summer tyre has emerged the winner in the 2025 AutoBild test for ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres and is aimed at a wide range of sporty and luxury cars, crossovers and SUVS.

With its unique tread composition that optimises rubber-to-road contact, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 offers responsiveness and stability for dynamic driving. While the flexible tyre compound provides better grip in hot weather, the asymmetric tread pattern guarantees rapid responsiveness and traction in turns. To guarantee a peaceful, pleasant ride, the tyre pattern and lightweight design also reduce road noise. Goodyear's SoundComfort and SealTech innovations are two notable features found in certain Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 fitments. For a more peaceful and elegant driving experience, SoundComfort reduces road noise, while SealTech successfully seals punctures up to five mm. Because of its high load rating and low rolling resistance, it is perfect for contemporary SUVs and electric cars, which require more from their tyres in order to maximise economy and range.

Nearly 90 percent of SKUs for the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 are 18 inches or greater, with over 100 sizes available in the 17–23-inch range. Numerous well-known automobiles, such as the BMW M3/M4/X3/X4/X5/X6/X7, Audi A4/S4/A5/S5/A3/S3, Mercedes C-Class, Porsche Macan/Boxster/Cayman and Cayenne, and Tesla Model S, may be fitted with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6. Customers may feel more secure about their purchase with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6's 30,000-mile (50,000-kilometre) tread life limited guarantee. It is available at authorised Goodyear retailers across the United States and Canada.

Ryan Waldron, President, Goodyear Americas, said, "The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 represents the next evolution of ultra-high-performance summer tyre, delivering precision, grip and comfort for drivers. As an award-winning tyre designed for a wide range of sporty and luxury vehicles, including the larger rim sizes on many of these vehicles, it provides a driving experience tailored to today's most premium enthusiasts. We're proud to introduce this globally recognised product to North America, bringing advanced technology and innovation that keeps drivers confident on the road."

Toyo Tires reported record first-quarter sales of 135.5 billion yen ($880 million), marking a 6.2 percent increase year over year and reaching its highest level since adopting its current accounting period in 2013. Despite the top-line growth, operating income fell 13.7 percent to 22.4 billion yen due to rising raw material costs and foreign exchange headwinds.

“Strong sales of large-diameter tyres in North America drove revenue growth but couldn’t fully offset higher production costs,” said the company in its earnings statement. The Japanese tyre maker saw a 7.7 percent sales increase in North America, which remains its largest market.

Profit Squeeze

Ordinary income plunged 42.7 percent to 18.3 billion yen, while profit attributable to owners dropped 41.4 percent to 13.5 billion yen, primarily due to foreign exchange losses from the yen’s appreciation. The Japanese currency strengthened to 154 yen per dollar during the quarter, compared to 146 yen in the year-ago period.

The company maintained its full-year forecast, projecting annual sales of 585 billion yen, up 3.5 percent from FY2024. Operating income is expected to reach 85 billion yen, down 9.6 percent , with operating margin declining to 14.5 percent from 16.6 percent last year. The annual dividend forecast is 125 yen per share, up from 120 yen in the previous fiscal year.

“Assuming tariff impact can be absorbed with appropriate measures, earnings forecasts for FY2025 remain unchanged,” the company stated, maintaining its dividend payout ratio target of 30 percent  or higher.

Production and Expansion

The tyre maker plans to increase production volume by 6 percent in FY2025 compared to the previous year, with significant growth in both Japanese and European operations. First-quarter global production volume was 59,100 tons, representing 98 percent of the previous year's level.

Capital investment for FY2025 is projected at 35.6 billion yen, up from 25.6 billion yen in FY2024, signalling continued expansion despite market headwinds. The company has invested 194 billion yen in capital expenditures over the past five years.

Market Conditions and Raw Materials

Raw material costs continue to pressure margins, with the company projecting a negative impact of 10.5 billion yen for FY2025. Natural rubber price increases are expected to cost 7.4 billion yen, while petroleum products will add 2.0 billion yen in costs, and other materials will contribute 1.1 billion yen to the cost pressure.

First-quarter sales volume showed strong recovery in the Japanese replacement tyre market, reaching 97 percent of the previous year’s level. In comparison, North America demonstrated robust growth at 105 percent year-over-year.

Product Innovation and Corporate Initiatives

The company recently launched premium tyres for high-roof kei cars in Japan with enhanced wet grip performance. These tyres feature eco-friendly materials that improve wet braking performance by 12 percent while reducing rolling resistance by 9 percent.

In March, the company introduced new SUV tyres designed specifically for quiet city driving that meet the “Low Car Exterior Sound Tyres" voluntary standard established by the Japan Automobile Tyre Manufacturers Association.