Michelin, the global leader in tyre technology, has expanded its retail footprint in Southern India with the launch of its first Michelin Tyres & Services store in Vijayawada, in collaboration with Sanghvi Car Shoppe. This marks Michelin’s third retail outlet in the region, following recent openings in Kochi and Bengaluru, bringing its total presence to over 15 touchpoints across these cities.

Strategically located on MG Road in Chandra Mouli Puram, the 3,000+ sq. ft. store features cutting-edge infrastructure and advanced diagnostic tools to offer a full suite of premium services. Customers can benefit from precision tyre fitment, road force wheel balancing and high-tech alignment systems, catering to the demands of Vijayawada’s growing luxury car segment. The store was inaugurated by Prashant Sharma, National Sales Manager at Michelin India, alongside the Sanghvi Car Shoppe team, marking a significant milestone in Michelin’s retail expansion.

Sanghvi Car Shoppe, a trusted name in Andhra Pradesh’s automotive aftermarket, is renowned for its extensive range of tyres, accessories and car electronics, serving as a one-stop destination for premium car care. The partnership aligns with Vijayawada’s rising demand for high-end automotive services, fueled by urbanisation, increasing disposable incomes and a surge in car enthusiasts.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said, “Southern India has always been a crucial market for Michelin’s growth strategy, given its rapidly growing customer base. The launch of our first Michelin Tyres & Services store in Vijayawada marks a significant milestone in our expansion strategy for the southern market. Vijayawada presents a strong opportunity for us to bring our world-class products and services closer to the automotive enthusiasts. Through our partnership with Sanghvi Car Shoppe, we aim to deliver a truly premium and reliable experience for our consumers.”

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The 22nd World Brand Conference was held in Beijing in mid-June 2025, where the World Brand Lab unveiled the 500 most valuable Chinese brands of the year. Linglong Tire achieved a significant milestone by surpassing the CNY 100-billion threshold for the first time, securing the 109th position with a brand value of CNY 110.216 billion (approximately USD 15.38 billion). This marks Linglong’s uninterrupted presence on the ‘China's 500 Most Valuable Brands’ list for 22 consecutive years.

The conference, themed ‘Global Brand Strategies and Digital Supply Chain Management in the Context of the AI Revolution’, brought together industry leaders and experts. Harvard Business School Professor Elie Ofek emphasised AI’s transformative potential in brand building, noting its ability to deepen rational and emotional consumer connections.

Linglong Tire has actively integrated AI and digital innovations into its operations. By leveraging big data analytics, the company conducts user profiling to deliver personalised services and targeted marketing campaigns, fostering sustainable brand growth. Additionally, Linglong employs AI to analyse customer feedback from social media and e-commerce platforms, identifying key interests and pain points to craft precise marketing strategies.

Beyond marketing, Linglong incorporates AI into production, implementing smart manufacturing in its new factories. Through automation and industrial IoT technologies, the company enhances efficiency and optimises production processes, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and digital transformation.

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El Hadj Larbi Industrie (SHLI) has announced significant progress on its state-of-the-art tyre manufacturing facility in Tafraoui's El Hamoul industrial zone, marking a transformative development for Algeria's industrial sector. This DZD-50-billion project represents one of the nation's most substantial private investments, strategically aligned with Algeria's economic diversification goals. The complex aims to dramatically reduce the country's tyre import dependency while supporting the burgeoning domestic automotive industry that has attracted global manufacturers.

Partnering with China's Doublestar Tires, SHLI is implementing cutting-edge Industry 4.0 technologies throughout the facility. The production process will feature full automation, advanced robotics and AI-powered quality control systems to ensure international-standard output. This technological edge positions the complex to compete in both domestic and export markets across Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

Initial operations will focus on producing seven million tyres annually, including one million truck tyres to serve Algeria's critical logistics sector. The long-term vision includes expanding to 22 million units through additional nationwide production facilities, potentially covering most domestic demand while generating export revenue.

Despite facing geological challenges from the site's clay-rich marshland, the project promises substantial socioeconomic benefits. It is expected to create over 2,000 direct jobs and thousands more in supporting industries. The facility's first phase is on track to begin operations within the coming years.

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The Dutch Grand Prix at the iconic TT Circuit Assen marks the return of Pirelli’s Moto2 tyre comparison between the standard SC0 soft rear compound and the development E0125, which was first introduced at Silverstone and later tested at Aragón. For this round, riders will have access to both rear options in soft compound – the conventional SC0 and the experimental E0125 – paired with either the soft SC1 or medium SC2 front tyres. Each rider will receive eight units of the rear tyres and eight of the front SC1, while the SC2 front will be limited to six. As per regulations, competitors may use a maximum of 17 tyres across the weekend, with a breakdown of eight front and nine rear.

The E0125 development tyre, which was universally adopted by riders at both Silverstone and Aragón, represents an evolution of the standard soft compound. While it retains the same tread compound, it incorporates a revised structure designed to enhance stability and deliver more consistent performance over full race distance. This adjustment aims to improve handling and endurance, particularly under the demanding conditions of Assen’s fast, flowing layout.

Meanwhile, Moto3 riders will continue with the established tyre allocations from previous rounds, receiving eight units each of the soft SC1 and medium SC2 compounds for both front and rear. The same 17-tyre limit applies, ensuring parity in usage across the field. Pirelli’s ongoing development in Moto2 highlights their commitment to refining performance, while Moto3 maintains a stable specification to suit the lightweight class’s unique demands. The Dutch GP will serve as another critical evaluation point for the E0125 as Pirelli gathers data for potential future adoption.

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Continental has introduced the Archetype, a new limited-edition road tyre developed in collaboration with UAE Team Emirates – XRG. This tyre will debut at the 112th Tour de France, starting in Lille next week.

The Archetype boasts a 30-mm width, weighing 35 grammes less than the Grand Prix 5000 S TR, and features an ultra-supple carcass for enhanced responsiveness and comfort. At its core lies Continental’s renowned BlackChili compound, which minimises rolling resistance while delivering exceptional grip. The tyre also incorporates LazerGrip, a micro-profile shoulder design for secure high-speed cornering, and Active Comfort Technology to dampen road vibrations for a smoother ride. Fully tubeless-ready and hookless-compatible, the Archetype is optimised for modern race setups, from Grand Tours to time trials.

As an official licensed product for the 2025 Tour de France, it combines cutting-edge engineering with elite performance. This limited-edition tyre reflects Continental’s commitment to innovation and speed, tailored for professional cyclists and high-performance enthusiasts alike.

Hannah Ferle, Road Product Manager at Continental, said, “We were asked by UAE Team Emirates – XRG to build a tyre that could deliver even faster performance in a 30-mm width. That’s a bold challenge – so we went back to the fundamentals. The result is the Archetype: a tyre that distils our decades of racing expertise into a pure, purpose-built product. It’s minimal, fast and made for those who live to compete.”

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