Eurogrip, a global brand in the powered two-wheeler tyres segment, announced the international launch of two new products today – Roadhound, a sport touring tyre, and Climber XC, an off-road specialty tyre, at the 2022 EICMA Motor Show in Milan, Italy. EICMA is an annual Milan auto show, which witnesses the participation of several industry players, media and motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world.

Sharing his views, Renato Zilli, Senior Advisor – Sales and Marketing, TVS Eurogrip, commented, “In 2022, Eurogrip has been the “underdog”, the unexpected player that changed the game. We have strengthened our presence across the globe, targeting the upper segment of the range.”

Speaking on the occasion, P Madhavan, EVP – Sales and Marketing, TVS Eurogrip, said, “As we continue to focus on innovation and quality while building Eurogrip into a strong global brand, as always, we are elated to be here at EICMA. This is a great forum to launch our new premium products, Climber XC and Roadhound, and we are happy to showcase these to the global market.”

Roadhound
Eurogrip claims that the Roadhound is a sport touring tyre, with dual compound technology on radial rear sizes. It features an excellent grip on both dry and wet surfaces, and improves handling and comfort on all naked, sport and touring motorcycles. According to Eurogrip , Roadhound’s tyre profile, tread pattern and structure have been engineered to provide high mileage and performance consistency. The tyres will be available from early 2023, with a size range covering both radial and x-ply applications.

Climber XC
Climber XC is a tyre for motocross, enduro and cross-country applications, as per Eurogrip. It is designated for leisure, training and competition. Eurogrip states that Climber XC has been developed and fine-tuned with expert inputs from motocross and enduro racing teams in order to provide excellent traction and lateral support on multiple surfaces. An extended tyre service life is ensured by a knobby layout and geometry boosting wear and tear resistance, coupled with a symmetrical shape, allowing for wheel reversibility.

Furthermore, Eurogrip claims that its tyres are created with tyre technology that seamlessly blends superior mileage, performance and durability. All of its products are researched, designed and developed jointly by the company’s Italian and Indian R&D and product development teams. According to the two-wheeler tyre company, the products have been thoroughly tested by independent professional riders across the globe.

Silvio Montanari, Head of R&D activities at the Milan Global Product Design Center, said, “All Eurogrip products are the result of multiple development cycles aimed at bringing together the best of all the tyre components. 3D modeling and FEA-based predictive technology are complemented with extended testing in both indoor and outdoor real life conditions, stressing the tyre in order to ensure it is properly tuned before being released to the market. Roadhound and Climber XC are two prime examples of this approach, as they have been carefully scrutinised in every step of development to make sure their performances exceed rider expectations.”

Apollo Tyres has launched the ‘Apollo Tyres Healthcare Express’, a mobile medical unit designed to monitor the health of truckers and the surrounding community. C Thomas Mathew, Unit Head, Chennai Plant, Apollo Tyres Ltd, flagged off the unit, which would service major transport hubs within a 50-km radius, including Madhavaram, Manjambakkam and Poonamallee, serving a population of over 10,000 truckers.

For a small consultation charge of INR 10 per visit, this mobile medical unit will offer essential healthcare services to the trucking community. It will provide a wide range of services, such as general medical care, screenings for certain diseases and preventative and awareness programmes. Additionally, it will increase knowledge of important health concerns including HIV/AIDS, STI prevention, vision care, tuberculosis and non-communicable illnesses like diabetes and hypertension. A team consisting of a medical officer (MBBS), a pharmacist, an optometrist, outreach workers and a project coordinator will run Apollo Tyres' Healthcare Express.

Over 12 million people have benefited from the Apollo Tyres Foundation's healthcare initiative for the trucking community since it began in 2000. The organisation reached out to more than a million people in order to raise awareness during the Covid-19 outbreak. In partnership with local authorities, it also made it easier for over 10,000 people to get tested for Covid-19 and for over 150,000 people to get vaccinated.

World-class cyclist and multiple Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar has joined Continental as its new global ambassador.

This new collaboration with one of the best contemporary cyclists is a logical continuation of Continental's longstanding reputation as a reliable brand in both the automotive and cycling industries. The long-term relationship will place special emphasis on fostering mutual respect and understanding between bikers and drivers. Pogačar and Continental are both dedicated to enhancing communication between drivers and boosting everyone's safety.

In 2024, Pogačar, 26, created history by winning several Monument races and placing first in the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia and the Road World Championships. Only two riders in history have accomplished this feat. In addition, he earned victories in Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Strade Bianche. He is committed to developing future cycling talent in Slovenia and abroad through his foundation and the ‘Pogi Team’ development squad.

For many years, Continental has maintained a strong presence in the cycling industry. Not only do all of the support cars of the Tour de France use Continental car tyres, but numerous elite teams, including the 2024 winning squad, also use Continental bike tyres. Additionally, Continental is a major sponsor of the Giro d'Italia, providing its automobile tyres to all official support vehicles to increase safety on the difficult 3,000-kilometre course.

Pogačar said, "Top performance is not only the result of talent, but also of the pursuit of continuous development. Continental and I share the ambition to always make the most of our possibilities – both in terms of sport and development. So this partnership was an obvious choice. As a professional cyclist, I know how crucial it is to trust your tyres. Without the right equipment, I wouldn't have become the rider I am today.”

Egemen Atış, Head of Strategy, Analytics & Marketing at Continental Tires EMEA, said, "Tadej Pogačar and Continental both stand for exceptional performance but above all for safe driving. Risky manoeuvres, misjudging situations and thinking only of oneself doesn't win races. Tadej’s ability to see the bigger picture, alongside his extraordinary talent, makes him not only the best cyclist in the world at the moment, but also the perfect partner for Continental."

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.