Ceat, one of India’s leading tyre manufacturers, has inaugurated four new Shoppes (its exclusive premium tyre outlet) in Bengaluru.

The company sees the rising demand for SUVs to see consumer demand shift towards larger premium tyres especially in the 17-inch category.

Lakshmi Narayanan B, Chief Marketing Officer, Ceat, said, “Karnataka is a significant market for Ceat, and Bengaluru’s dynamic automotive landscape makes it a key focus area. These new outlets will serve customers who seek high-performance tyres and value superior service. This expansion aligns with our ‘Crafted for the Curious’ philosophy, catering to individuals who enjoy exploring new paths and are drawn to premium, superior quality products and experiences.”

The four new dealerships are located in Whitefield, Koramangala, Bommenhali and Chamrajnagar (Kollegal). It also plans to add two more outlets in Sarjapur and Vijayanagar in the coming month.

The Ceat Shoppes will house both two-wheeler and four-wheeler tyres including the SteelRads, Zoom X3, SecuraDrive, SportDrive and CrossDrive range.

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Continental Tires Americas has expanded its HDR 5 and HSR 5 19.5-inch product lines with a new 245/70R19.5 size, specifically engineered for urban and regional delivery fleets.

These tyres are built to endure high-scrub environments and the demanding stop-and-go cycles typical of city routes. Key advancements include a reformulated tread compound that reduces rolling resistance for better fuel economy while also extending tread life. The redesigned sidewall enhances durability to support multiple retreads, maximising the value of each tyre casing. Furthermore, both models are validated for use on electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as traditional combustion engines.

This size extension provides a practical option for fleets seeking to improve operational cost-efficiency and tyre longevity under rigorous driving conditions, continuing the proven performance of the existing series with targeted upgrades.

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The Silver Jubilee of the National Institute for Rubber Training (NIRT) commenced on the morning of 9 January 2026 at Kottayam's Hevea Hall. Union Minister of State George Kurian formally inaugurated the event, with Member of Parliament K Francis George presiding. Attendees also heard an address from MLA Chandi Oommen.

A wide array of activities marked the inaugural programme. These included unveiling a commemorative monument, honouring former NIRT Directors and recognising student cohorts. Several publications and materials were launched, such as a Silver Jubilee souvenir and tutorial videos for stakeholders. The new jubilee logo was revealed, and a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Rubber Board and the Government of Nagaland.

The ceremony further involved prize distributions for earlier competitions and celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Rubber magazine. The day's schedule continued with a curated panel discussion and a dedicated exhibition at the NIRT campus.

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Kumho Tire Co., Ltd. said it achieved a series of strong results in ESG evaluations in 2025, reflecting progress in sustainability, governance and risk management.

The company received a Gold medal for the second consecutive year from EcoVadis, which assesses corporate sustainability performance across environment, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. In 2024, Kumho Tire ranked in the top 5 per cent of about 150,000 companies assessed globally. In 2025, its scores improved notably in labour and human rights and ethics, supported by stronger ethical management systems and an expanded data management scope.

Kumho Tire also secured an overall A rating in the 2025 ESG assessment by the Korea ESG Standards Institute. The company said it improved by one grade year on year after strengthening management practices, including building a human rights management framework, setting employee diversity targets, increasing information security investment and introducing board evaluations.

The company has participated in the Carbon Disclosure Project since 2022 and in 2025 received an A- rating for water security, recognising its water management capabilities. It was also placed on the highest A List in the Supplier Engagement Assessment, citing progress in climate change response and ESG management across the supply chain.

Kumho Tire has maintained an AA rating in ESG assessments by MSCI since 2022 and was included as a Yearbook member in S&P Global’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment, ranking within the top 15 per cent of the auto components sector. It was also recognised at the 2025 Korea Sustainability Conference, organised by the Korean Standards Association, ranking first for a third consecutive year in the tyre category of the Korean Sustainability Index. Its sustainability report was selected as an outstanding report for a second consecutive year in the manufacturing category of the Korean Readers’ Choice Awards.

Jung Il-taek, chief executive of Kumho Tire, said: “Kumho Tire manages issue-specific goals and initiatives in an integrated manner under its ESG management strategy. We will continue to strengthen and embed ESG management to build a solid foundation for sustainable growth and to develop into a global brand with credibility and authenticity.”

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Kumho Tire Co., Ltd. said it signed a partnership agreement late last year with UK-based driving simulator specialist Ansible Motion to develop next-generation digital tyres.

The agreement was confirmed on 5 January. The signing ceremony was attended by Kim Young-jin, executive vice-president and head of research and development at Kumho Tire, and Dan Clark, chief executive of Ansible Motion, along with other representatives from both companies.

The partnership is being pursued under the slogan “Kumho Tire with Ansible Motion: Driving the Future with Digital Tires”. The two companies agreed to collaborate on enhancing tyre performance validation systems using advanced digital simulation technology, with a focus on improving competitiveness in tyres for electric vehicles and high-performance cars.

Ansible Motion provides driving simulator technology designed to replicate real-world road conditions with high precision. Its systems allow vehicle dynamics, driving safety and ride comfort to be assessed in a virtual environment.

Kumho Tire said it expects the introduction of Ansible Motion’s latest driving simulator into its research and development processes to reduce the time and cost associated with vehicle testing and prototype production. The company also aims to enable more accurate and efficient performance verification from the early stages of development and to strengthen its digital-based R&D capabilities in response to changes in the mobility sector.

Kim said: “Cooperation with Ansible Motion will serve as an opportunity for Kumho Tire to take a significant step forward in transforming its research and development paradigm towards a digital focus. By actively utilising advanced simulation technology, we will introduce high-performance, high value-added products optimised for the future mobility environment and continue to strengthen our competitiveness in global markets.”

Clark said: “Our collaboration with Kumho Tire will be an important example of how driving simulation technology can accelerate innovation in the tyre industry. We look forward to contributing to the advancement of the global mobility industry through the technical synergy between our two companies.”

The partnership forms part of Kumho Tire’s wider digital transformation and sustainable technology strategy. The company plans to apply advanced driving simulation tools across its R&D processes to improve development efficiency and precision, with the aim of accelerating digital tyre development for electric and high-performance vehicles.

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