The Hankook-equipped 2025 FIA World Rally Championship season continued with its 11th round, Rally Chile Bio Bío, which concluded on 14th September. The four-day event, based in the coastal city of Concepción, presented a formidable challenge for crews and tyres alike. Competitors tackled 16 special stages totalling over 300 kilometres of competitive running on gravel roads in the southern hemisphere spring weather with a volatile mix of conditions.

Throughout these variable conditions, Hankook Tire, the exclusive tyre supplier to the championship, provided its Dynapro R213 gravel tyre to all teams. The Chilean stages, while generally smooth, feature a relentless series of high-speed corners that demand exceptional durability, grip and precise steering response. The reinforced construction and advanced tread design of the Hankook tyre provided the necessary stability and impact absorption across diverse surfaces, allowing drivers to maintain their rhythm and control despite the constantly changing grip levels.

The event was won by Sébastien Ogier of the Toyota GAZOO Racing team, marking his second consecutive victory following his success in Paraguay. This result propelled him into the lead of the drivers' championship standings, now holding a two-point advantage over his teammate Elfyn Evans.

The championship now prepares for a significant shift in terrain as it heads to Europe for Round 12, the Central European Rally, scheduled for mid-October. This unique event will be based in Passau, Germany, and will run on narrow asphalt roads that cross international borders into the Czech Republic and Austria. The transition from gravel to tarmac will place a fresh strategic emphasis on tyre selection and performance. With only three rounds remaining in the season, the outcome is critical to the championship battle.

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Triangle Tyre has earned a distinguished position in the recently unveiled ‘2025 China Brand Evaluation Information’, a highly regarded assessment administered by the China Council for Brand Development. This annual evaluation, widely recognised as a benchmark for brand value in China due to its rigorous and scientific methodology, awarded Triangle Tyre a notable brand valuation of CNY 6.61 billion (approximately USD 928.50 million) and a strength index of 917 within the energy and chemical sector.

The announcement, which took place in May, highlights the collective strength of 779 leading Chinese brands with a combined value exceeding CNY 12.78 trillion (approximately USD 1.80 trillion). The event was organised by a coalition of authoritative bodies, including the China Council for Brand Development and the China Appraisal Society, and drew over 600 attendees from government agencies, regulatory institutions and industry associations.

This accolade serves as a strong testament to Triangle Tyre's comprehensive capabilities, reflecting its sustained excellence in areas such as technological innovation, stringent quality management and significant market influence. The evaluation itself is a key national initiative designed to establish a credible and transparent brand valuation system, promote positive brand development and support the global expansion of Chinese enterprises.

For Triangle Tyre, this recognition is both an authoritative endorsement of its brand power and a reflection of its leading competitiveness within the domestic tyre industry. Looking ahead, the company plans to intensify its focus on innovation and quality enhancement. This strategy is central to its mission of delivering superior products and services to a global customer base and accelerating its growth as an internationally recognised brand.

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New research commissioned by eBay and conducted by OnePoll has exposed a significant knowledge gap among UK drivers regarding EU Tyre Labels. The study, which surveyed 2,000 motorists in accordance with Market Research Society guidelines, found that nearly half of all respondents were entirely unfamiliar with this critical safety information. Despite being introduced in 2012, two-thirds of drivers remain unaware of the labels' purpose.

The data shows that nearly half (47 percent) of the respondents possess no understanding of the safety information on the labels whatsoever, with a full two-thirds (66 percent) unaware of their purpose a full decade after their introduction. This ignorance translates directly into consumer behaviour, as 61 percent of motorists admit to not checking the labels before purchasing new tyres. Consequently, they miss out on essential data regarding a tyre's fuel efficiency, wet grip classification, external noise level and its performance in snowy and icy conditions.

The research further quantified this knowledge gap, demonstrating that drivers incorrectly identified the symbols on the labels two-thirds (67 percent) of the time. The icon denoting performance on ice was the most frequently misunderstood, being misinterpreted in a remarkable 92 percent of responses. This lack of independent research means three-quarters (74 percent) of UK motorists primarily rely on garage recommendations when choosing tyres. Over half of all consumers – 55 percent – do very little (30 percent) or no research at all (25 percent), a trend most prevalent among drivers over 65.

This deficiency in tyre knowledge is not merely academic; it has serious real-world consequences. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) reported that over two million MOT test failures in the 2023-24 period were directly attributed to illegal tyre defects. In response to these consumer challenges, eBay promotes its tyre fitment service, which allows buyers to research and order specific tyres for their vehicle online before selecting a local garage for installation, aiming to bridge this information gap.

Abir Tewari, UK Director of Commercial Operations, Parts & Accessories at eBay, said, "Despite existing in the UK for more than a decade, knowledge around EU tyre labels among UK motorists is still sparse. It is worrying that proper knowledge could make maintaining vital vehicle parts safer and cheaper. Using eBay’s tyre fitment service, customers can see EU tyre labels clearly indicated in listings before deciding on a purchase, helping to identify exactly what they need and safely preparing them for any season.”

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Apollo Tyres, one of the leading global tyre manufacturers, has secured a three-year strategic partnership with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), becoming the lead sponsor of the Indian Cricket Team.

The deal, estimated to be for around INR 5.97 billion, will grant Apollo Tyres title sponsorship rights for all home and away international matches, covering both men's and women's teams.

The agreement, effective immediately, will see the Apollo Tyres logo prominently displayed on the front of the official team jerseys. This partnership marks a significant milestone for the brand, connecting it with a sport that is immensely popular across India.

Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Apollo Tyres, said “Cricket’s unmatched popularity in India and worldwide makes it an honour for us to become the ‘National Team Lead Sponsor’ of Team India. This partnership is about national pride, strengthening consumer trust and showcasing Apollo as a true leader in our category, while supporting Indian sports at the highest level and creating unforgettable moments for fans worldwide.”

Devajit Saikia, Honorary Secretary of the BCCI, said, "The arrival of Apollo Tyres as our new sponsor is a testament to the hard work and consistent performance of our teams. We are excited about this being Apollo's first major sponsorship in India cricket, which speaks volumes about the sport's unparalleled reach and influence. This is more than a commercial agreement; it's a partnership between two institutions that have earned the trust and respect of millions."

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NEXEN TIRE has received validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its corporate emissions reduction goals, confirming they align with the critical objective of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. This endorsement signifies that the company’s climate targets are grounded in the latest climate science and meet the SBTi's rigorous international standards.

The approved targets commit NEXEN TIRE to a substantial 58.8 percent reduction in its direct operational emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2034, using 2023 as a baseline. The company has also pledged to cut its value chain emissions (Scope 3) by 35 percent over the same period. To realise these ambitions, NEXEN TIRE is implementing a detailed carbon neutrality roadmap. This effort is supported by a reinforced enterprise-wide management system that now includes comprehensive tracking of all 15 Scope 3 categories alongside Scope 1 and 2 emissions across its global operations.

A dedicated ESG Operational Committee meets monthly to execute a phased reduction strategy. This plan focuses on improving facility efficiency, accelerating the shift to cleaner energy sources and expanding the use of renewable power. Beyond its environmental impact, this SBTi validation is strategically significant. It is expected to strengthen the company’s relationships with global automakers, who are increasingly requiring validated carbon management from their supply chains. Furthermore, the precise emissions data compiled through this process will bolster NEXEN TIRE’s standing in global ESG evaluations, enhancing its reputation as a sustainable industry leader.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “This SBTi approval is a meaningful step forward, demonstrating that NEXEN TIRE is establishing a climate response framework aligned with global standards. We are committed to leading the way to carbon neutrality by faithfully achieving emissions reduction targets based on scientific standards through enterprise-wide efforts.”

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