Continental is celebrating two decades of its Camaçari tyre factory, situated near Salvador in Brazil. This occasion represents a major milestone for the firm’s operations throughout the Americas, as the site has served as a trusted partner across South America since its April 2006 opening. The facility supplies both replacement tyres and original equipment manufacturers with high-grade products for passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

Approximately 136 million tyres have rolled off the line at Camaçari over the last 20 years. Roughly BRL 1.2 billion (approximately EUR 235 million), has been invested there in the past 10 years alone to sharpen competitiveness through better efficiency, product quality and responsiveness to customers. The factory currently provides jobs for around 2,000 people, making it a leading industrial employer locally, with its future success built on team spirit, consistent quality and a strong customer focus.

The site began as a greenfield project in 2004 and was formally inaugurated in April 2006, with the first tyre, a ContiEcoContact 3, produced five months earlier in November 2005. Today, the factory supplies original equipment to major automotive names including General Motors, Volkswagen, Renault, Honda, Fiat and Mercedes‑Benz, proving its dependable and uniform product standards. This same drive for steady improvement supports the plant’s role in Continental’s wider environmental goals.

By constantly tracking energy use and managing it responsibly, the Camaçari plant ensures that all power generated or consumed on site is used as efficiently as possible. The facility relies entirely on LED lighting, which saves more energy than conventional options, and has carried out targeted production upgrades such as better insulation on critical machinery. These efforts have yielded annual energy savings, including a total cut of 10.4 gigawatt‑hours in 2025, equal to about five percent of the plant’s yearly energy consumption.

Shander Basílio, plant manager of the Continental tyre plant in Camaçari, said, "Our 20-year journey in Camaçari is a story of continuous growth, operational excellence and the deep commitment of our people to this region. I would like to sincerely thank all our employees for their outstanding contribution as well as to our customers for their continued trust. Looking ahead, we are dedicated to writing the next chapter of our plant’s success.”

Rodrigo Bonilha, head of Continental Tires South America, said, “I would like to congratulate our manufacturing team in Camaçari on their 20th anniversary. The production facility is a key asset for our business in the region. By manufacturing premium tires locally, we ensure a reliable supply for the Brazilian market while securing valuable local jobs. This ‘in the market, for the market’ approach is fundamental to how we deliver consistent product quality and performance for customers and consumers.”

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Birla Tyres has officially joined the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA), becoming the newest member of the leading industry body. The company, with its registered office in Kolkata, operates a large-scale manufacturing facility in Balasore, Odisha, which spans 195 acres and is dedicated to producing a diverse range of speciality tyres.

Based in New Delhi, ATMA represents major tyre manufacturers that account for more than 80 percent of domestic production. The association serves as a vital link between the government and the industry while also engaging with media, opinion leaders and international trade bodies to advocate for the sector’s perspectives.

ATMA actively participates in policy formulation and regularly consults with government departments on economic challenges affecting the industry. Its existing membership includes prominent firms such as MRF Tyres, JK Tyre & Industries, CEAT Ltd and Bridgestone India, the local subsidiary of the Japanese tyre giant.

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Bridgestone has reported a significant shift in UK consumer sentiment regarding electric vehicles, with new data indicating a sharp rise in drivers who reject the technology. The tyre manufacturer's survey reveals that 26 percent of motorists now declare they will never purchase an EV, up from 17 percent in 2025, while only 16 percent plan to acquire one within the coming year.

Persistent operational anxieties continue to overshadow the market. Battery durability and replacement costs trouble 55 percent of respondents, half worry about charging expenses and 44 percent express unease over range limitations and high sticker prices.

Infrastructure inadequacies further compound hesitancy, as 43 percent feel public charging stations remain insufficient and 41 percent are deterred by prolonged recharging times. Despite these barriers, 53 percent anticipate purchasing an EV within five years, while seven percent remain undecided.

Bridgestone is reinforcing its commitment through 'EV Ready' tyres like the Turanza 6, engineered for efficiency, safety and wear life across electric and combustion vehicles. These innovations align with the company's E8 Commitment and Ecology pillar, advancing sustainable tyre technologies and mobility solutions.

Drew Chapman, North Region Consumer Sales Director at Bridgestone, said, "Electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly familiar sight on our roads, but our research shows that many drivers still have genuine questions and concerns about making the switch. While some of the barriers are gradually reducing, issues such as battery life, charging costs and infrastructure remain front of mind for many motorists. The industry has made significant progress, but it's clear there is still work to do in building confidence among consumers.

"Whether drivers are behind the wheel of an EV, hybrid or conventional vehicle, they want products they can trust. Our focus is on helping motorists get the very best from their vehicles today while supporting the mobility solutions of tomorrow."

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has secured its place in three major global ESG stock indexes, marking over two decades of sustained recognition in sustainable investing. The company’s inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index Series now extends to 22 consecutive years, while its presence in the FTSE JPX Blossom Japan Index has reached a 10th year and the Sector Relative Index a 5th year.

Developed and administered by FTSE Russell, a London Stock Exchange Group subsidiary, these benchmarks serve distinct investment purposes. The FTSE4Good Series is widely utilised by international investors as a reference for responsible portfolios. Meanwhile, the two Japan-specific indexes, designed to highlight domestic firms with exemplary ESG performance, have been adopted by the Government Pension Investment Fund to steer its own sustainable asset allocation.

Under the corporate sustainability motto of caring for the future, Yokohama Rubber continues to integrate social problem-solving into core business operations, thereby generating shared value. This longstanding index qualification reflects the firm’s consistent commitment to transparent governance, environmental stewardship and social responsibility, reinforcing its strategic focus on long-term value creation through ethical business conduct.

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Apollo Tyres Ltd has launched the Apollo Altrust Winter van tyre, a new addition to its commercial vehicle lineup engineered to deliver extended durability alongside reliable snow and wet-weather traction. Scheduled for European release in July 2026, this winter variant finalises the Altrust family, which already includes the popular summer and all-season iterations.

Developed entirely within Europe, the tyre achieves a top wet grip classification of ‘A’ and a noise rating of ‘B’ at 72 decibels. Offered in 15 size options across 15- to 17-inch rim diameters, the Altrust Winter is designed to accommodate a broad spectrum of vans and light commercial vehicles, including contemporary models such as the Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter and IVECO Daily.

Superior handling on snow, ice and rain-soaked roads stems from several engineering innovations. A multi-pitch tread pattern optimises block sizing and spacing for consistent performance, while three-dimensional sipes enhance road biting capability. Additionally, the centre and shoulder lateral grooves have been strategically configured for swift water dispersal, which bolsters wet grip and lessens aquaplaning risks.

For fleet operators, longevity and reduced wear are critical to lowering total cost of ownership. Apollo’s research division formulated a compound with a balanced polymer-and-filler mix to boost abrasion resistance and curb material degradation. Reinforced shoulder tie-bars preserve a stable contact patch under heavy use, promoting even tread wear and sustaining all-weather effectiveness over the tyre’s lifespan. Noise management was also prioritised, with careful tuning of pitch sequences and shoulder block bridges to minimise acoustic output.

Udyan Ghai, Group Head – Marketing, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “Our research and development team in Enschede, The Netherlands, spent over two years exploring the needs of van owners and users, creating a winter van tyre that delivers an optimal balance of performance and value. They focused on those attributes that matter most to fleet operators and van drivers: safety, durability and low operating costs. We know that wet-weather performance is becoming increasingly important for operators across Europe, so we are particularly pleased to see the tyre secure an A rating for wet grip.”

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