Maxion Wheels has graduated the first Indian cohort of its Formare vocational education programme and launched a second intake, marking the expansion of the initiative into Asia.

The programme, introduced in India in 2024 through a partnership between the Iochpe Foundation of Brazil and Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), combines classroom education with practical manufacturing training for students from underprivileged communities.

Twenty-six students enrolled in the inaugural cohort, with 23 completing the programme and receiving a diploma in Manufacturing Technology. Those who continue for a third year at SPPU will be eligible for a university graduation certificate.

According to Maxion Wheels, 87 percent of the graduates will begin their professional careers at the company's Pune operations.

"The graduation of our first Formare class in India is a proud and meaningful achievement, both for our students and for Maxion Wheels," said Sutheep Ratnabhas, President of Maxion Wheels' Asia Business Unit. "This programme reflects our belief that investing in education and skills development can transform lives while strengthening our communities and our business. We are especially encouraged and fortunate to see these young professionals beginning their careers with us."

The company also inaugurated the programme's second cohort, comprising 27 students, including six women, who account for 22 percent of the intake.

The ceremony at SPPU was attended by Mark Sinar, Vice President, Global Human Resources and Safety & Sustainability at Maxion Wheels, Rahul Vaidya, Managing Director of Kalyani Maxion Wheels, university representatives and the families of graduating and incoming students.

Graduates described the programme's impact on their personal and professional development.

"Formare has given me the confidence, skills, and opportunity to build a better future for myself and my family," said Aman Mulla. "I am proud to start my career with Maxion Wheels and excited for what lies ahead."

Abha Kamble said: "This programme opened doors I never thought possible. The combination of learning and hands-on experience has prepared us for real-world challenges."

Originally established by Brazil's Iochpe Foundation, the Formare programme has operated for more than three decades and has trained more than 28,000 young people. Maxion Wheels said it plans to introduce the programme in Türkiye later this year.

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Barez Industrial Group, Iran’s leading tyre manufacturer, observed its 29th consecutive year of activity on the Tehran Securities Exchange during a commemorative event held on 23 August 2026. The gathering featured the traditional exchange bell ceremony, underscoring the company’s enduring footprint in Iran’s capital markets.

Speaking on the occasion, Jamal Mirzaei, CEO of Barez Industrial Group, spoke of the organisation’s momentum, asserting that current undertakings and forward-looking blueprints are steadily carving out its tomorrow. The firm’s leadership used the platform to reaffirm its commitment to sustained growth and operational excellence.

Originating as a provincial manufacturer in Kerman back in 1985, Barez has since risen to become a linchpin of the national tyre industry. Strategic upgrades to production lines and the integration of cutting-edge manufacturing processes have propelled its reach beyond borders. Since joining the TSE in 1997, it has outshone six other listed peers in the rubber and plastics category, claiming the largest share of the sector’s overall valuation, which exceeded IRR 330 trillion at the prior session, with the group responsible for over IRR 120 trillion of that figure.

The proceedings also included an award presentation, with TSE Chief Mahmoud Goudarzi offering a commemorative token to Mirzaei in appreciation of the firm’s three-decade record of transparent engagement with the exchange. Later, a press engagement allowed the executive team to walk reporters through notable milestones, pipeline ventures and strategic forecasts, fostering a clearer view of the company’s roadmap for investors and analysts alike.

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Continental has introduced a 32-mm variant of its Aero 111 road tyre, expanding the range of its most aerodynamically advanced model. Developed in partnership with Swiss Side, this wider version aims to deliver the same drag-reducing performance while catering to cyclists seeking a combination of speed and improved comfort on demanding surfaces.

The tyre’s aerodynamic efficiency is achieved through a patented tread pattern featuring 48 precision cavities that function as vortex generators. This design manipulates airflow around the front wheel to delay separation, maintaining optimal performance across varying wind angles. The result is a significant reduction in drag and an enhanced sailing effect, allowing for greater forward propulsion with reduced rider effort.

Despite its broader profile, the tyre maintains its speed and durability credentials through Continental’s BlackChili compound, ensuring low rolling resistance and dependable grip in all conditions. Protection is provided by the Vectran Breaker layer, and the tubeless-ready casing is compatible with hookless rims. Offered in black sidewall and three widths, the Aero 111 now serves a wider array of road cycling demands.

Hannah Ferle, Road Product Manager, Continental Tires, said, “With the addition of the 32 mm width, we truly are offering aero performance from every angle. Developing the Aero 111 alongside Swiss Side has allowed us to build a tyre like no other, one that performs across even the most demanding conditions. The Aero 111 has already proven the benefits of advanced airflow management, but this additional width allows us to bring those same aerodynamic gains and crosswind-taming technologies to the modern road cyclist who refuses to compromise on comfort.”

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TyreSafe has issued a fresh warning to UK motorists regarding the persistent dangers of part-worn tyres, drawing on the findings of recent multi-agency enforcement operations. The safety charity has underscored that despite ongoing efforts to regulate the sector, significant compliance failures continue to place drivers at risk. These concerns are based on collaborative inspections conducted over the past year with Trading Standards, police forces and local authorities, which have revealed systemic issues within the market.

Enforcement actions in Norfolk and Lancashire have exposed alarming deficiencies in the safety and legality of part-worn tyres on sale. In Norfolk, an inspection of nearly 200 tyres across several retail outlets found that over a third were in a dangerous condition, featuring exposed cords, structural damage and inadequate repairs. Remarkably, only a single tyre out of the entire batch satisfied all legal requirements, leading to the immediate removal of unsafe products and subsequent enforcement measures against non-compliant sellers.

Parallel operations in Lancashire painted an equally concerning picture, where none of the 30 part-worn tyres examined met the mandatory legal standards. Every tyre inspected failed to display the compulsory ‘PART-WORN’ marking, and many exhibited serious defects such as embedded objects, sidewall damage and substandard repairs. These discoveries have prompted ongoing engagement with businesses to encourage better practices, though the overall findings highlight a widespread disregard for established safety protocols.

In response to the enforcement outcomes, TyreSafe has noted that educational initiatives have yielded some positive changes among retailers. Certain businesses have enhanced their understanding of legal obligations, reduced their stock of part-worn tyres or transitioned to offering new budget alternatives. Nevertheless, the charity maintains that part-worn tyres remain a high-risk category, as compliance is not uniformly observed, leaving consumers vulnerable to products with undocumented histories and hidden structural weaknesses that are not always visible during a casual inspection.

The organisation has emphasised the critical distinction between tyres fitted to used vehicles and those sold as standalone part-worn products. While the former are acquired as part of a complete car purchase, the latter are individual items whose safety and legality depend entirely on the retailer’s diligence. TyreSafe has reiterated that these tyres must meet strict legal criteria, including a minimum tread depth of two millimetres, successful pressure testing and freedom from cuts or bulges, yet enforcement shows these rules are frequently ignored.

Motorists are being strongly urged to exercise caution and prioritise their safety by sourcing tyres from reputable suppliers and conducting regular checks on air pressure, condition and tread depth. TyreSafe has highlighted that opting for part-worn tyres on cost grounds can prove false economy, given their reduced lifespan and elevated risk of sudden failure. The charity continues to advocate for new tyres as the safest choice, stressing that the unknown history of part-worn products can have dire consequences in real-world driving conditions.

Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said, “Our recent education and enforcement activity revealed a deeply concerning picture of tyre safety on UK roads. Too often, part-worn tyres are being used as a dangerous short-term fix rather than a safe, compliant solution. We encountered vehicles fitted with severely aged tyres that should have been removed from service years ago, alongside single-tyre replacements fitted purely to secure an MOT pass. This creates highly unstable and potentially dangerous combinations, including mismatched summer and winter tyres on the same axle, which can seriously compromise braking and handling. Perhaps most alarming, none of the part-worn tyres we inspected carried the legally required ‘PART-WORN’ marking, highlighting a serious lack of compliance and leaving motorists unknowingly exposed to unsafe and unverified products.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has announced that a Mitsubishi Triton pickup truck, fitted with its GEOLANDAR M/T G003 mud-terrain tyres, secured the overall championship at the 2026 Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR). The event took place entirely within Thailand from 10 to 15 August. This victory marks the second consecutive overall win for a Mitsubishi Triton utilising Yokohama’s GEOLANDAR tyres, adding to previous titles in 2022, 2023 and 2025.

The triumphant vehicle was fielded by Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, with lead driver Katsuhiko Taguchi and co-driver Takahiro Yasui at the helm. After third-place finishes in the opening two legs, the pair surged to the front by clocking the fastest time in Leg 3. They maintained their advantage through Legs 4 and 5, the latter being the pivotal YOKOHAMA RUBBER SS5 stage. A careful, puncture-free drive in the final Leg 6 allowed them to finish 2 minutes and 25 seconds ahead of their nearest rivals, securing their first overall AXCR title.

Five of the first 10 finishers were equipped with GEOLANDAR tyres, including the third-place Isuzu D-Max from the ISUZU SUPHAN TRANE TITANIUM YOKOHAMA NEXZTER RALLY TEAM. The GEOLANDAR CTS Rally Team’s Suzuki JIMNY SIERRA, piloted by the Japanese female duo of Koto Haneda and Momo Tsukishima, achieved 19th place overall, second in the T1G class and victory in the ladies' division.

The GEOLANDAR M/T G003 tyre is engineered for superior off-road performance and durability. The AXCR, an FIA-sanctioned event since 1996, covered approximately 2,000 kilometres from Pattaya to Phitsanulok through mountains, jungles and plantations, further validating the capability of Yokohama’s tyre technology.

Hiroshi Masuoka, Director, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, said, “Again this year, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart selected Yokohama Rubber’s GEOLANDAR M/T G003 tyres for our Tritons entered in the AXCR. This year, Chayapon’s vehicle was the only one that suffered a tyre puncture. A flat tyre can make it difficult for drivers to attack the course with confidence, which greatly affects the flow of the rally. Amid a very tough battle, I think the Taguchi/Yasui team’s ability to drive stably and complete the rally without a single puncture contributed greatly to their overall championship. The GEOLANDAR M/T G003’s highly stable performance supported that victory at this year’s AXCR.”

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