Chinese rubber machinery maker MESNAC is expanding its global reach with a $20m investment in a new manufacturing facility in León, Mexico.

The move is designed to strengthen the company’s presence in the North American market, where Mexico is a key hub for tyre production. MESNAC’s Hong Kong subsidiary will operate the plant.

MESNAC, a leading supplier of rubber processing equipment and systems, reported that nearly 68 percent of its revenue in the first half of the year came from its core business, with the remaining 32 percent generated by its new rubber materials segment.

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New research commissioned by eBay and conducted by OnePoll has exposed a significant knowledge gap among UK drivers regarding EU Tyre Labels. The study, which surveyed 2,000 motorists in accordance with Market Research Society guidelines, found that nearly half of all respondents were entirely unfamiliar with this critical safety information. Despite being introduced in 2012, two-thirds of drivers remain unaware of the labels' purpose.

The data shows that nearly half (47 percent) of the respondents possess no understanding of the safety information on the labels whatsoever, with a full two-thirds (66 percent) unaware of their purpose a full decade after their introduction. This ignorance translates directly into consumer behaviour, as 61 percent of motorists admit to not checking the labels before purchasing new tyres. Consequently, they miss out on essential data regarding a tyre's fuel efficiency, wet grip classification, external noise level and its performance in snowy and icy conditions.

The research further quantified this knowledge gap, demonstrating that drivers incorrectly identified the symbols on the labels two-thirds (67 percent) of the time. The icon denoting performance on ice was the most frequently misunderstood, being misinterpreted in a remarkable 92 percent of responses. This lack of independent research means three-quarters (74 percent) of UK motorists primarily rely on garage recommendations when choosing tyres. Over half of all consumers – 55 percent – do very little (30 percent) or no research at all (25 percent), a trend most prevalent among drivers over 65.

This deficiency in tyre knowledge is not merely academic; it has serious real-world consequences. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) reported that over two million MOT test failures in the 2023-24 period were directly attributed to illegal tyre defects. In response to these consumer challenges, eBay promotes its tyre fitment service, which allows buyers to research and order specific tyres for their vehicle online before selecting a local garage for installation, aiming to bridge this information gap.

Abir Tewari, UK Director of Commercial Operations, Parts & Accessories at eBay, said, "Despite existing in the UK for more than a decade, knowledge around EU tyre labels among UK motorists is still sparse. It is worrying that proper knowledge could make maintaining vital vehicle parts safer and cheaper. Using eBay’s tyre fitment service, customers can see EU tyre labels clearly indicated in listings before deciding on a purchase, helping to identify exactly what they need and safely preparing them for any season.”

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Apollo Tyres, one of the leading global tyre manufacturers, has secured a three-year strategic partnership with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), becoming the lead sponsor of the Indian Cricket Team.

The deal, estimated to be for around INR 5.97 billion, will grant Apollo Tyres title sponsorship rights for all home and away international matches, covering both men's and women's teams.

The agreement, effective immediately, will see the Apollo Tyres logo prominently displayed on the front of the official team jerseys. This partnership marks a significant milestone for the brand, connecting it with a sport that is immensely popular across India.

Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Apollo Tyres, said “Cricket’s unmatched popularity in India and worldwide makes it an honour for us to become the ‘National Team Lead Sponsor’ of Team India. This partnership is about national pride, strengthening consumer trust and showcasing Apollo as a true leader in our category, while supporting Indian sports at the highest level and creating unforgettable moments for fans worldwide.”

Devajit Saikia, Honorary Secretary of the BCCI, said, "The arrival of Apollo Tyres as our new sponsor is a testament to the hard work and consistent performance of our teams. We are excited about this being Apollo's first major sponsorship in India cricket, which speaks volumes about the sport's unparalleled reach and influence. This is more than a commercial agreement; it's a partnership between two institutions that have earned the trust and respect of millions."

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NEXEN TIRE has received validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its corporate emissions reduction goals, confirming they align with the critical objective of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. This endorsement signifies that the company’s climate targets are grounded in the latest climate science and meet the SBTi's rigorous international standards.

The approved targets commit NEXEN TIRE to a substantial 58.8 percent reduction in its direct operational emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2034, using 2023 as a baseline. The company has also pledged to cut its value chain emissions (Scope 3) by 35 percent over the same period. To realise these ambitions, NEXEN TIRE is implementing a detailed carbon neutrality roadmap. This effort is supported by a reinforced enterprise-wide management system that now includes comprehensive tracking of all 15 Scope 3 categories alongside Scope 1 and 2 emissions across its global operations.

A dedicated ESG Operational Committee meets monthly to execute a phased reduction strategy. This plan focuses on improving facility efficiency, accelerating the shift to cleaner energy sources and expanding the use of renewable power. Beyond its environmental impact, this SBTi validation is strategically significant. It is expected to strengthen the company’s relationships with global automakers, who are increasingly requiring validated carbon management from their supply chains. Furthermore, the precise emissions data compiled through this process will bolster NEXEN TIRE’s standing in global ESG evaluations, enhancing its reputation as a sustainable industry leader.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “This SBTi approval is a meaningful step forward, demonstrating that NEXEN TIRE is establishing a climate response framework aligned with global standards. We are committed to leading the way to carbon neutrality by faithfully achieving emissions reduction targets based on scientific standards through enterprise-wide efforts.”

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Ride-hailing major Uber has introduced an exclusive offer for its driver partners in London, giving electric vehicle drivers 50 percent off on Enso high-performance, ultra-efficient tyres.

These tyres are specifically engineered for popular electric vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. The driver partners can purchase the Enso tyres via the Uber Marketplace app, giving Uber EV drivers direct access to more affordable EV tyres. 

Enso, an Earthshot Prize Finalist, produces tyres that it claims increase EV range, reduce tyre pollution and last longer than standard alternatives, delivering both environmental and economic benefits to Uber drivers.

This partnership is Uber’s first collaboration with an Earthshot Prize Finalist and is part of a wider partnership with The Earthshot Prize, founded by HRH Prince William. 

Interestingly, London is Uber’s global capital of electrification, with nearly 40 percent of all Uber rides in the city now fully electric. Through its GBP 145 million Clean Air Fund, Uber continues to help drivers switch to EVs, which is now further enhanced by access to specially discounted Enso tyres.

Brit Grant, Head of Electrification, Uber UK, said, “We’re proud to partner with ENSO as part of our ongoing mission to make it as easy and affordable as possible for drivers to go electric in the UK. Uber drivers are already switching to electric vehicles five times faster than the general public, and initiatives like this help us keep up that momentum. By reducing running costs and cutting emissions, this partnership supports our commitment to a cleaner, greener future for cities like London.”

Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, CEO, Enso, said, “Enso is playing its part in reducing costs and environmental impact for Uber drivers today. This has been made possible through our partnership with Uber and The Earthshot Prize; a collaboration that brings together sustainability with scale and commercialisation to deliver real impact. Enso develops A-A rated tyres specifically for EVs like Tesla’s to give drivers more range on a single charge, pay less upfront for their tyres and replace them less often, all of which helps Uber drivers earn more per mile.”

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