JK Tyre & Industries, one of the leading tyre manufacturers in the country, has kicked off its annual JK Tyre-WIAA Women’s Rally to the Valley 2025 from the National Sports Club of India (NSCI) in Worli, Mumbai.

The annual event presented by JK Tyre is organised by the Western India Automobile Association (WIAA). This year's event saw participation from more than 300 women in around 100 cars. It is organised in the TSD (Time-Speed-Distance) format and offers an exciting motorsport experience that unites women from diverse backgrounds.

This year’s event was flagged off by Pooja Batra, acclaimed Indian actress and model, Praveen Gupta, Chief Marketing Officer, JK Tyre & Industries and Nitin Dossa, Executive Chairman, WIAA.

Sanjay Sharma, Head – Corporate Communication & Motorsport, JK Tyre, said, "For over a decade, JK Tyre has been committed to breaking barriers and making motorsport more inclusive for women. The JK Tyre – WIAA Women’s Rally to Valley has grown into a marquee event that not only celebrates the spirit of motorsports but also amplifies important social causes. We are thrilled to see the enthusiasm among participants and look forward to concluding this rally in total control.”

The JK Tyre-WIAA Women’s Rally to the Valley 2025 saw participants raise awareness around various social causes such as road safety, women’s empowerment, sustainability, honouring women traffic police and the 'Save the Soil' movement.

Nitin Dossa, said, “The goal of the annual women’s rally is to advocate legislation and policies for women’ empowerment and for their working rights. We push for girl child education and fight against sexual harassment. Today’s woman is no longer a dependant soul. She is independent, self-reliant, and capable of achieving anything she sets her mind to. These rallies have gained tremendous popularity and are now a matter of pride and keen interest for all automobile owners.”

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Giti Tire has broken into the top tier of the global tyre industry, securing the eighth position on the Brand Finance Tyres 25 2026 ranking. The annual financial report also crowned the manufacturer as the world’s fastest-growing tyre brand, a distinction driven by a remarkable 37.7 percent surge in brand value. This financial lift brought the company’s valuation to USD 1.47 billion, pushing it one spot higher in the global order and signalling a sharp increase in its competitive clout.

Analysts at Brand Finance pointed to a trio of strategic priorities behind the company’s ascent: relentless innovation, advanced tyre engineering and deliberate worldwide expansion. Over the last 12 months, the tyre maker has solidified its hold on both original equipment and replacement markets while tailoring a new product family for the booming electric vehicle sector. A standout technical achievement came through a partnership with BYD’s luxury Yangwang division, where Giti’s Sport e.GTR2 Pro tyres helped the Yangwang U9 hit several high-speed performance milestones, directly challenging traditional premium brands in the EV and high-performance arenas.

The company’s physical footprint now includes five manufacturing plants and five R&D and testing hubs, distributing goods to more than 130 countries. Heavy investment continues in the AdvanZtech and T5 Smart Technology platforms, which are designed to produce next-generation tyres for passenger cars, commercial fleets and electric vehicles. That industrial reach is matched by a retail network of over 100,000 professional outlets worldwide, a logistical asset that Brand Finance cited as a key enabler of the brand’s rapid global service delivery and market penetration.

Giti’s new standing places it alongside industry titans such as Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Dunlop, Pirelli and Yokohama. Beyond the ranking itself, the fastest-growing tyre brand title reflects mounting recognition from carmakers, business partners and consumers alike. As the mobility sector undergoes electrification, digital shifts and sustainability demands, Giti continues to channel resources into modern tyre solutions, aiming to cement its status among the world’s tyre industry leaders.

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Bridgestone Retail Operations, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas and operator of the largest network of company-owned automotive service providers in the world, has unveiled plans to mark the 100th anniversary of Firestone Complete Auto Care. The yearlong observance will include special events, promotions and new customer initiatives across more than 1,800 US locations.

Among the centennial offerings, Firestone Complete Auto Care will release its inaugural state of auto care report this summer, drawing on millions of data points from its retail network to highlight customer trends and cost-saving insights. The company is also launching an interactive online history archive that showcases a century of achievements and innovations. Additionally, the brand will donate its 100th Driving Great Futures passenger van to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, expanding reliable transportation for youth programs, a partnership active since 2015. Anniversary promotions and offers are available throughout the year.

The business traces its origins to founder Harvey Firestone, who, a 100 years ago, established one-stop service stations for tyres, gasoline, oil, batteries and brakes. During the 1920s and 1930s, the company helped shape the auto care industry through warranties, lifetime guarantees, advanced diagnostics and specialised training. Harvey Firestone’s customer-first philosophy remains a cornerstone of operations today.

Currently, the Firestone Complete Auto Care network spans 48 states and employs more than 9,500 technicians, all supported by an Automotive Service Excellence accredited training programme. The brand’s century-long legacy continues to emphasise trusted reliability and dependability, honouring both past and present employees who have built that reputation.

Marko Ibrahim, President, Bridgestone Retail Operations, said, “When Harvey Firestone established the first network of Firestone service stations in 1926, he helped pioneer the automotive care industry and set us on a course of innovation as the automobile evolved. Over the past century, Firestone Complete Auto Care has become a trusted neighbour and dependable resource in communities across the nation. We are grateful to our customers past and present and look forward to continuing this journey together for another 100 years.”

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Hankook Tire has announced a new distribution partnership with Grupo Q, a leading automotive group in Central America. The agreement was formalized during Expo Off Road 2026, held at the Pedregal Event Center in Heredia, Costa Rica.

Under the deal, Grupo Q and its specialised AutoPits network will integrate Hankook’s full tyre portfolio across Costa Rica. The collaboration aims to boost the premium brand’s visibility by increasing consumer touchpoints. At the expo, Central America’s largest SUV and adventure vehicle exhibition, Hankook is prominently showcasing its Dynapro series of SUV tyres for off-road and 4x4 enthusiasts.

This strategic move strengthens Hankook’s commercial competitiveness and brand recognition in the region. Building on the Costa Rica partnership, the company plans to progressively expand its distribution networks into other Central American markets.

Hoseok Shin, Managing Director, Hankook Tire, said, "Allying with an automotive reference in the region as Group Q represents a strategic milestone to expand our presence in Central America. By combining Hankook Tire’s world-class technology leadership with Grupo Q’s extensive local network, we look forward to bringing our premium values and high-performance products to Costa Rican consumers.”

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Sun Auto has expanded its strategic footprint by acquiring two locations: Highland Auto in Tennessee and Highland Tire at Sentry Station in Georgia. This marks the company’s first entry into Georgia and adds a fourth Tennessee site, enhancing regional network connectivity.

The move supports Sun Auto’s broader 2026 growth campaign, which includes new operations in Colorado and brings the company’s total presence to 27 states nationwide. Both acquired shops join the Sun Auto Network, gaining access to 24/7 online scheduling, digital vehicle inspections and the company’s Driver Commitment focused on clarity, confidence and customer care.

Each location provides a full range of automotive services, including major tyre brands with a price match guarantee, alignments, brake service, oil changes, batteries, diagnostics and preventative maintenance. Sun Auto now operates over 575 locations nationwide through both acquisitions and new builds.

Chris Tavares, SVP Operations, Sun Auto, said, "Expanding into the Southeast is an important step in strengthening our national footprint and positioning our network for long-term growth. Establishing a presence in Georgia allows us to serve more customers, support our teams with greater regional resources and build stronger continuity across key markets."

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