Hankook Tire has bagged three awards in the product category at the iF Design Award 2022 for its SUV and winter tyres. The iF Design Award judges selected Hankook Dynapro XT, Dynapro AT2 Xtreme, and Winter i*cept RS3 for award. 

The iF Design Award is presented by the International Forum Design, a German marketing consulting firm, since 1953. It is one of the top three most reputable international design awards along with the Red Dot Design Award and the International Design Excellence Award (IDEA), the company said in a statement. 

Sooil Lee, President and CEO, Hankook Tire & Technology, said, “Receiving awards for winter, all-terrain, and off-road tyres, Hankook once again proved its design competency all around. Through technological advancement, we are innovating design quality in our tyres. With the honourable recognition, we will continue exploring explore innovative designs and enhancing our design capabilities.” 

The award-winning Dynapro XT is Hankook’s first rugged terrain product launched last year. It features high-rigidity polygonal blocks and wide zig-zag grooves that offer excellent off-road traction. Its aggressive saw-toothed sidewall design provides protection against punctures. 

Dynapro XT is 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rated, delivering winter performance on a snow-covered road, it said. 

Dynapro AT2 Xtreme is a high-mileage low-noise all-terrain tyre that provides excellent performance both on and off the road. 

Built with multi-directional sipes that enhance braking performance in wet and severe snow conditions, Dynapro AT2 Xtreme also comes equipped with a 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating, it said. 

Hankook Dynapro XT and Dynapro AT2 Xtreme had also won prizes at the Good Design Award in 2021, another prestigious design award. 

Its Winter i*cept RS3, a winter tyre, gives a driver reliable handling on all conditions of roads including snow, wet and dry roads, the release claimed. 

This year, 75 design experts came together to select the iF Design Award winners from approximately 11,000 submissions from 57 countries and regions. Winners have been chosen from nine categories – Product, Packaging, Communication, Interior Architecture, Professional Concept,
Service Design, Architecture, User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI). The contributions are evaluated on the basis of five criteria of idea, form, function, differentiation and social impact, the release added. (TT)

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has been officially recognised as a DX Certified Business Operator by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The designation, which was granted on 1 September 2025, identifies companies that are thoroughly prepared for digital transformation as outlined by the Digital Governance Code.

This certification acknowledges Yokohama Rubber's comprehensive strategy for digital transformation, which is built on three core objectives: advancing business strategy, contributing to sustainability and reinforcing its IT infrastructure. Central to this effort is the company's proprietary AI framework, HAICoLab (Humans and AI ColLaborate), which drives group-wide digital initiatives. These include improving productivity, innovating processes, developing digital talent and building a global cloud-based IT system. The certification confirms that the company's efforts not only meet METI's stringent criteria but also demonstrate appropriate disclosure of information to its stakeholders.

Moving forward, the company said it will continue to leverage data from its entire value chain to adapt to a dynamic business environment. The company aims to enhance customer value, pursue sustainable innovation and transform its corporate culture to strengthen its competitive position and ensure long-term growth.

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TyresNmore, the automotive aftermarket e-commerce platform owned by RPG Group, has promoted Rakesh Tatikonda to Chief Executive Officer and announced the change with immediate effect.

Tatikonda, who previously oversaw business operations at the Mumbai-based firm, will spearhead the organisation’s expansion and innovation strategy. The appointment advances RPG Group’s ‘Talent First!’ policy, which rewards internal promotions and develops employees.

The new chief executive brings over 15 years of industry experience, having worked across multiple sectors with companies such as telecommunications giant Reliance Jio and IT services provider Infosys. Before joining TyresNmore in 2022, Tatikonda held senior positions at tyre manufacturer CEAT, where he developed expertise in strategy, operations, marketing and digital transformation.

“My aim is to transform automotive aftercare in India by offering seamless, tech-driven, end-to-end mobility solutions delivered with trust, transparency, and convenience right at the customer’s doorstep,” Tatikonda said in a statement.

TyresNmore operates a doorstep service model for tyre and battery replacement across six major Indian cities: Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai. The platform represents RPG Group’s entry into the growing automotive aftermarket sector, which has seen increased digitisation as consumers seek convenient maintenance solutions.

During his tenure in operations, Tatikonda scaled the business and improved profitability while driving digital transformation initiatives. His track record shows he strengthened operational efficiency and enhanced customer experience in the mobility convenience sector.

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Vaculug, Europe’s largest independent retreader producing high-quality OTR and truck retread tyres for fleets across the UK and Europe, has expanded its UK presence by acquiring Tyrefair in Kinross, Scotland.

This strategic acquisition extends the company's award-winning service further north, ensuring Scottish customers receive the same high-quality OTR and truck retread tyres Vaculug has supplied for 75 years. Since the purchase, the Kinross location has already grown by 25 percent, with an ambitious target to double its business within a year and then double it again.

This move is a key part of Vaculug's 2026 growth strategy, focused on strategic acquisitions that enable better, faster and more sustainable customer service. The acquisition reinforces Vaculug’s long-standing environmental mission, marking a new chapter of sustainable growth with a strengthened Scottish operation.

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Nokian Tyres is expanding its US presence through a new nationwide partnership with American Tire Distributors (ATD). This agreement provides Nokian access to ATD’s vast network of over 110 distribution centres, serving roughly 80,000 customers.

The collaboration will efficiently supply tyre shops with Nokian’s complete product lineup, enabling dealers to broaden their inventory. Both companies bring 90 years of experience and a shared dedication to innovation, safety and sustainability. This partnership will offer drivers more choices, supported by Nokian’s award-winning Tennessee factory and ATD’s technology-driven logistics.

This enhanced distribution capability ensures that consumers will have greater access to a full spectrum of high-performance tyres, meeting diverse driving needs and conditions. The alliance strengthens both brands' market positions by combining premium products with an unparalleled delivery system, ultimately improving service for dealers and drivers alike across the country.

Chris Ostrander, SVP, North America, Nokian Tyres, said, “The partnership with ATD enables us to reach more tyre shops and more drivers than ever before. ATD’s robust distribution network, customer service and responsiveness strengthen our agility to serve both new and existing customers.”

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