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.”

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Falken has been named the recipient of the prestigious BRV Service Award, as announced by the German Tyre Retail and Vulcanisation Trade Association during its General Meeting on 8 June 2026. As a brand operating under Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, Falken emerged victorious from a competitive online survey where over 250 tyre trade members cast their votes to determine the industry’s most outstanding partner.

This accolade specifically recognises Falken’s superior service standards and its commitment to fostering a reliable and cooperative relationship with its retail partners. The overwhelming vote of confidence from the trade serves as a significant form of recognition for the company, while simultaneously acting as a powerful incentive for the entire Falken workforce to maintain their high-performance levels.

Thomas Langer, Sales Director Germany, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, said, “The news of a top ranking in the BRV Service Award was already a special honour, as it comes directly from the specialist tyre trade. We are now even more delighted to celebrate the overall victory. We would like to express our sincere thanks for this recognition. First place confirms our commitment to offering Falken partners not only reliable and safe products, but above all, dependable service, personalised support and a truly partnership-based collaboration. The fact that the trade has voted the entire team’s efforts into first place motivates us to continue pursuing our goals with determination.”

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The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) has concluded its participation at The Tire Cologne 2026 with a positive assessment, operating through a network of 19 affiliated organisations across Europe. Their shared exhibition space in Hall 7.1 emerged as a central meeting point during the industry's premier global gathering. Key episodes included a governmental visit, a strategic industry forum and recognition for emerging enterprises.

An immersive installation greeted visitors to the AZuR area, with the entire floor surface consisting of resilient tiles produced from recycled tyre rubber supplied by network affiliate MRH Mülsen. This practical display offered a compelling illustration of how discarded materials can be transformed into functional products. The collaborative exhibition model proved highly favourable among attendees and participating companies alike.

The initiative broadened its collaborative base during the fair, securing commitments from new entities in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands to advance shared sustainability objectives. North Rhine-Westphalia's environment minister, Oliver Krischer, toured the exhibition as part of a broader initiative to spotlight regional excellence in circular practices, observing demonstrations spanning digital monitoring, alternative materials and recovery processes.

A dedicated assembly on tyre retreading drew roughly 40 specialists from manufacturing, materials supply and trade associations. Conversations revolved around the technology's track record and adaptation to market conditions, referencing recent environmental performance data. Survey feedback indicated robust confidence in retreading's financial and environmental merits, though participants identified competition from lower-cost imports as a primary obstacle.

The programme concluded with the LOOP THE TYRE competition awards. The top honour went to Machine-Vision.io from Reutlingen for its optical evaluation system streamlining used tyre assessment. Sustainable Rubber Solutions from the Netherlands received second prize for its chemical innovation enabling rubber reintegration into new compounds, while Austria's ReTyre project claimed third for developing a scalable devulcanisation method for tyre-to-tyre recycling.

Anna-Maria Guth, AZuR Network Coordinator, said, “TTC impressively demonstrated the high level of interest in a functioning tyre circular economy. We were particularly pleased with the exceptionally positive atmosphere at our joint stand. Our partners see themselves as equal contributors to a common goal and as partners in a strong alliance for the future.”

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Prinx Chengshan marked a significant milestone at The Tire Cologne 2026 in Germany on 9 June, where it officially introduced its Prinx-brand commercial vehicle tyres to the European market. The launch event, held during the prestigious trade fair, served as a commemorative highlight for the 50th anniversary of the Chengshan Group. While the company showcased its full portfolio of brands, including Chengshan, Austone and Fortune, the European debut of the Prinx commercial tyre line commanded the primary focus of industry attendees.

Senior company representatives provided comprehensive insights into the strategic initiative during the event. Officials from the Europe and Americas Sales Center, the R&D Center and the European Technical Center outlined the company's developmental trajectory, manufacturing scale and proprietary technological advancements. The presentations emphasised the integration of intelligent manufacturing systems and global research capabilities, with particular attention given to how the Prinx brand is developing future-oriented commercial solutions tailored specifically for European fleet operators.

The Prinx brand, positioned as a premium offering, leverages three intelligent manufacturing facilities located in China, Thailand and Malaysia, combined with the localised expertise of its European Technical Center. The company has concentrated its research efforts on six core technologies, including low rolling resistance and high wear resistance features, complemented by an intelligent tyre monitoring system. A strategic partnership with Marangoni, a prominent European retreading material manufacturer, further strengthens the brand's comprehensive service capabilities.

For its market entry, Prinx launched three initial product series covering nine tread patterns suitable for long-haul and regional mixed road conditions. Future product expansion plans include tyres for mixed-use applications, city buses, long-distance coaches and winter conditions. Since announcing its European passenger car tyre initiative in Milan in 2023, the brand has rapidly enhanced its product matrix and reinforced its market presence through branding initiatives and sponsorship of major racing championships.

With five decades of industry experience, Prinx Chengshan is accelerating its global strategy through a product-plus-service philosophy. The company aims to deliver customized solutions addressing the complete tyre lifecycle by combining Chinese manufacturing heritage with international research and development networks. This approach positions the company to precisely meet localised European market demands while inviting global partners to contribute to a sustainable transportation future.

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Grady County, Georgia, has successfully addressed the persistent issue of flood-damaged roads by implementing an innovative and sustainable construction method on Lower Cairo Road. The project tackled chronic washouts that had long plagued the area, where conventional repairs consistently failed during heavy rainstorms. The chosen solution involved a significant elevation of the roadway and the reinforcement of its foundation, moving beyond temporary surface fixes to target the root causes of the flooding.

The county utilised a technique known as Mechanical Concrete, which employs recycled tyre cylinders to create a durable and flexible road base. In this process, scrap tyres are processed into cylindrical units and arranged in a grid pattern. These interconnected cylinders are then filled with aggregate, in this case, reclaimed asphalt pavement, to form a robust foundation. This system effectively distributes the weight of traffic and provides superior resistance to erosion, directly countering the forces that previously caused washouts.

The specific work on Lower Cairo Road covered a length of 880 linear feet and a width of 18 feet, raising the road's elevation by 12 inches. The project successfully incorporated 3,300 recycled scrap tyre cylinders, demonstrating a significant commitment to sustainability by diverting waste from landfills. The enhanced drainage and structural stability provided by this method are expected to drastically reduce the frequency and cost of future maintenance, offering a long-term solution to the community's flooding woes.

The success of Grady County’s initiative highlights a scalable and cost-effective approach for other municipalities facing similar infrastructure challenges. This method proves particularly beneficial for rural networks and low-lying regions with limited budgets. By demonstrating how to build resilient roads using recycled materials, Grady County has provided a practical model for enhancing infrastructure durability while promoting environmental stewardship.

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