The 18th edition of Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) and Indian Motorcycle of the Year (IMOTY), promoted by JK Tyre since its inception, concluded in New Delhi. The awards ceremony was attended by leading businessmen, automobile fanatics and visionaries.

The awards were presented by Dr Raghupati Singhania, Chairman and Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries Limited, along with Dhruv Behl, Chairman, ICOTY 2023; Bertrand Dsouza, Chairman, IMOTY 2023 and other jury members. Steered by a group of veteran and eminent jury members, the entries were judged on the basis pf multiple customer-centric criteria, such as vehicle price, fuel efficiency, styling, comfort, safety, performance, practicality, technical innovation, value for money and suitability for Indian driving conditions, while deciding on the winner and conferring the awards, claims JK Tyre.

Recognised for its speed, mileage and strong performance, KIA Carens was adjudged the ‘Indian Car of the Year 2023’, claims JK Tyre, while Royal Enfield Hunter was awarded the ‘Indian Motorcycle of the Year 2023’. Catering to the increasing popularity, acceptance and availability of a vast range from various manufacturers of the premium car category in the Indian market, the ICOTY jury instituted ‘Premium Car Award’ under the ICOTY aegis in 2019. According to JK Tyre, Mercedes EQS 580 won the Premium Car Award 2023. With the growing popularity of electric vehicles and strong initiatives undertaken by the government, the jury of ICOTY introduced the Green Car Award in 2021, with an objective to recognise the contribution of manufacturers towards the future of mobility. KIA EV6 was awarded the Green Car Award 2023, states JK Tyre.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr Singhania said, “I would like to congratulate all the winners for making the best in the segment and honouring the excellence in the automotive industry. ICOTY and IMOTY are the most integral part of the Indian auto industry as they bring innovation to the industry. The foundation of JK Tyre stands for innovation, development, growth, technology and transparency, and these awards are the testimony of brilliance. I am sure it has been a rewarding and successful journey for everyone and this will continue to be so for years ahead. These awards motivate us all to come together and make the Indian auto industry renowned globally.”

On winning the Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) and Green Car Award 2023, Tae-Jin Park, Managing Director and CEO, Kia India, said, “It’s a proud moment for all of us at the Kia family. We are absolutely elated to be awarded with not one but two prestigious ICOTY honours – Kia Carens won the coveted ‘Indian Car of the Year’ and our flagship EV, the EV6, won the laurel as ICOTY ‘Green Car of the Year’ award for 2023.We are thankful to the esteemed ICOTY jury members for this recognition. We would also like to thank the sponsors, JK Tyre, for their commitment to helping recognise the best from automobiles year on year. This is a well-deserved recognition for brand Kia and speaks volumes for our technological prowess, capabilities and understanding of the Indian market. It is a true reflection of our successful journey in India and a great motivation for us to keep working and contributing towards an inspiring tomorrow.”

On winning the Indian Motorcycle of the Year Award, Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director and CEO, Eicher Motors, said, “This is our third award in five years, and we are delighted to have won this. We thank the jury and JK Tyre for recognising us. Making motorcycles, spending time with riders and most importantly, riding them ourselves over the years, we really understood what it takes to make a lovely motorcycle for people who love motorcycling. The Hunter is our most accessible motorcycle in this range, and we are very happy at the love it has received.”

On winning the Premium Car Award 2023, Santosh Iyer, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “The Made in India EQS 580 is a benchmark for sustainable luxury motoring. The very fact that it’s India’s first locally manufactured luxury EV also highlights the global competencies of our colleagues producing this car at Mercedes-Benz India. We are delighted that our customers’ preferred choice for the most advanced luxury EV in India is also adjudged as the luxury car of the year at ICOTY.”

Congratulating the ICOTY award winners, Behl said, “ICOTY has grown to become the most coveted award in India, as the leading experts in the automotive media all come together to pick the absolute best in the industry. We assess which vehicles have the most impact and which are the most suitable for the Indian market. The KiaCarens, Kia EV6 and Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 are each cutting-edge and truly put the Indian customer in the driver’s seat.”

Sharing his thoughts, Dsouza said, “In 2023, Indian motorcycles were oddly contested, it was a very tough competition. What is interesting to see is that most of the contenders were not entirely meant for the commuter segment, and this proves that motorcycling in India has matured – niche segment, niche purposes for a very niche enthusiastic audience, that’s what has defined IMOTY 2023.”

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.

Goodyear has launched the award-winning Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 tyre in the United States and Canada. The premium summer tyre has emerged the winner in the 2025 AutoBild test for ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres and is aimed at a wide range of sporty and luxury cars, crossovers and SUVS.

With its unique tread composition that optimises rubber-to-road contact, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 offers responsiveness and stability for dynamic driving. While the flexible tyre compound provides better grip in hot weather, the asymmetric tread pattern guarantees rapid responsiveness and traction in turns. To guarantee a peaceful, pleasant ride, the tyre pattern and lightweight design also reduce road noise. Goodyear's SoundComfort and SealTech innovations are two notable features found in certain Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 fitments. For a more peaceful and elegant driving experience, SoundComfort reduces road noise, while SealTech successfully seals punctures up to five mm. Because of its high load rating and low rolling resistance, it is perfect for contemporary SUVs and electric cars, which require more from their tyres in order to maximise economy and range.

Nearly 90 percent of SKUs for the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 are 18 inches or greater, with over 100 sizes available in the 17–23-inch range. Numerous well-known automobiles, such as the BMW M3/M4/X3/X4/X5/X6/X7, Audi A4/S4/A5/S5/A3/S3, Mercedes C-Class, Porsche Macan/Boxster/Cayman and Cayenne, and Tesla Model S, may be fitted with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6. Customers may feel more secure about their purchase with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6's 30,000-mile (50,000-kilometre) tread life limited guarantee. It is available at authorised Goodyear retailers across the United States and Canada.

Ryan Waldron, President, Goodyear Americas, said, "The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 represents the next evolution of ultra-high-performance summer tyre, delivering precision, grip and comfort for drivers. As an award-winning tyre designed for a wide range of sporty and luxury vehicles, including the larger rim sizes on many of these vehicles, it provides a driving experience tailored to today's most premium enthusiasts. We're proud to introduce this globally recognised product to North America, bringing advanced technology and innovation that keeps drivers confident on the road."