Hankook Tire has launched the fourth generation Ventus evo, a sporty ultra-high-performance summer tyre for changeable conditions.

Featuring a new mixture developed using artificial intelligence (AI), the tyre provides excellent wet grip and low rolling resistance. The wide drainage grooves work in tandem with the optimised tyre contact area to facilitate good evacuation of water and reduce the risk of aquaplaning, while the extra-rigid sidewalls and tread blocks provide stability during cornering and shorten the dry braking distance by six percent compared to the third-generation tyre. The innovative mixture, on the other hand, ensures low rolling resistance despite the high grip. This reduces fuel consumption and provides a 32 percent increase in mileage compared to the third-generation tyre.

Klaus Krause, Vice President and Head of Europe Technical Centre, Hankook, said, “With the fourth generation of the Ventus evo, we are setting new standards. We decided early on to leverage AI in the development of tyre mixtures and were able to successfully transform the laboratory results into high-quality industrial processes. Today, we’re seeing the benefits of that effort. With its innovative mixture ratio, the Ventus evo overcomes traditional trade-offs, delivering uncompromising excellence in performance, safety and mileage.”

The new Ventus evo and Ventus evo SUV will be available in stores in 58 sizes by this summer, with plans to expand the offering to 94 sizes – from 17 to 23 inches in widths from 205 to 325 in the 65 to 30 series and with speed indexes from V to (Y) – by the end of next year.

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Fuelled by robust domestic vehicle production, aftermarket demand and a surge in automotive exports, India's tyre industry is poised for transformative growth. A joint vision from the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) and PwC India projects that by 2047, production volumes could quadruple, while revenue is expected to multiply 12-fold to an estimated INR 13 trillion. This exponential financial expansion will be driven by a shift in the industry's revenue mix towards more premium products, rising raw material costs, a growing export share, the transition to electric vehicles and the emergence of servitisation models.

To achieve this ambitious vision, a strategic framework termed CHARGE has been proposed. This approach focuses on six critical levers: enhancing Customer relevance, upholding high-quality standards, fostering adaptability, building resilience through resource efficiency, driving growth via innovation and empowering strategic alliances. The framework is designed to help tyre manufacturers become more agile, customer-centric and technologically advanced to improve operational efficiency and global competitiveness.

Domestic growth will be primarily driven by strong original equipment and replacement markets. Rising incomes are boosting passenger and two-wheeler sales, while significant infrastructure investment is increasing commercial vehicle demand, in turn supporting aftermarket tyre sales. However, challenges such as domestic natural rubber availability and new mobility technologies could impact growth.

Concurrently, tyre exports are positioned for substantial expansion. Key strategies to accelerate international growth include innovation for specific use cases, securing new free trade agreements and enhancing cost competitiveness and brand perception. Nevertheless, exporters must navigate obstacles like volatile regulations and non-tariff barriers.

A significant trend will be the rise of servitisation, where fleet operators increasingly adopt professional tyre management services. Demand for these solutions, including tyre health monitoring and advisory services, will be driven by a focus on operational efficiency and customer requirements. For this market to reach its full potential, tyre companies must develop scalable, economically viable models while addressing data security and regulatory concerns.

Kavan Mukhtyar, Partner and Leader – Automotive, PwC India, said, "India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047 presents a huge opportunity for the tyre industry, not only to meet the aspirations of its domestic customer base but also to exponentially scale up tyre exports, especially in the commercial vehicle and passenger vehicle segments across key markets like US and EU. Emerging consumer trends and mobility shifts, a dynamic global business environment and sustainability imperatives present a unique opportunity for the Indian tyre industry to transform itself and drive sustainable growth through 2047. Innovating at speed for global markets through advanced material engineering, finding sustainable alternatives for natural rubber and addressing sustainability imperatives throughout the value chain will be key to unlocking growth potential for the industry. Additionally, brand strengthening in export markets and investing in digital technologies across the value chain will be essential to drive productivity and a sustained global competitive advantage.”

Arun Mammen, Chairman, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA), said, "The Indian tyre industry stands at the cusp of a transformational journey, driven by rapid economic growth, evolving mobility trends and an expanding global footprint. The findings of the ATMA-PwC report underscore the industry’s immense growth potential, with revenue projected to grow 12-fold by 2047. This growth will be fuelled by a shift towards premiumisation, sustainability-led innovation and a strong focus on technology and exports. As we move towards ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, the tyre industry is poised to play a pivotal role in enabling India’s automotive ambitions to build a resilient and future-ready sector."

Sanjay Dawar, Partner and Leader – One Consulting, PwC India, said, “The Indian tyre industry is at an inflection point, with the potential to create significant economic value and strengthen India’s global competitiveness. Achieving this 12-fold revenue growth will require a holistic approach – one that brings together innovation, sustainability, digital transformation and strong partnerships across the ecosystem. At PwC, we are committed to working alongside industry stakeholders to co-create strategies that can accelerate momentum, build resilience and help realise the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision."

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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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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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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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