The auto wholesales for February 2025 are out, and the industry has posted numbers in the red. The latest automotive wholesales data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) for February showed that a total of 1.82 million units were sold last month, which was 7 percent lower as compared to 1.94 million units sold for the same period last year and 8 percent lower than that of January 2025 sales.

The de-growth was primarily driven by a slowdown in sales of two-wheelers, especially motorcycles, which dropped by 13 percent YoY.

In the passenger vehicle space, SUVs continued to drive demand, registering a healthy growth of 9 percent with sales coming at 208,795 units, compared to 191,435 units a year ago. Passenger cars, on the other hand, reported sales of 110,966 units, which was 4 percent lower compared to the same period last year.

Three-wheeler sales came to 57,788 units, which was 5 percent higher compared to 55,175 units sold last year. The sales were driven by passenger carriers and goods carriers in the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) segment, as compared to a negative growth witnessed by the E-rickshaw and E-cart segment.

Going forward, all eyes are on the Holi and the Ugadi festivals, which is expected to provide a positive fillip to the monthly sales.

Rajesh Menon, Director General, SIAM, stated that the “Upcoming festivities of Holi and Ugadi in March is likely to continue to drive demand, thereby closing FY 2024-25 on a reasonably positive note."

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Axens, a global process technology leader in refining, petrochemicals and circular economy applications, has been chosen by a US-based investor and project developer to supply a Process Design Package for a hydroprocessing unit. This unit is engineered to process 100 percent tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO), marking a significant step in alternative feedstock upgrading.

The broader project encompasses a local end-of-life tyre valorisation facility that integrates pyrolysis technology alongside the TPO-upgrading hydroprocessing unit. The operation will yield low-sulphur fuel for the domestic market, capped at a maximum sulfur content of 500 ppm. Currently in the FEED phase, the project anticipates a Final Investment Decision in 2027. Axens tailored the design package to meet specific product quality targets and site conditions, drawing on its hydroprocessing expertise and catalyst portfolio to enhance operational performance and product quality.

The developer's selection of Axens hinged on the company's extensive experience with hydroprocessing and upgrading projects involving alternative feedstocks. Axens' track record includes over 300 proven hydroprocessing references globally, covering applications such as Distillate Hydrotreating (Prime-D), Waste Lube Recycling (Revivoil) and Waste Plastic Pyrolysis Oil Hydroprocessing (Rewind Mix). The client particularly valued Axens' capacity to tackle TPO processing challenges and impurity management, alongside its proven project delivery capabilities as an experienced technology licensor.

The initiative delivers economic advantages while addressing a mounting waste management issue. By converting end-of-life tyres into valuable products, it fosters more resource-efficient value chains and supports local economic objectives through the production of transportation fuels.

Jean-Luc Nocca, Executive Vice-President Commercial Business Division, said, "This project highlights the growing interest in converting end-of-life tyres into valuable transportation fuels through robust and reliable upgrading technologies. We are proud to support our client with a tailored process design package that builds on Axens’ proven ability to address the specific challenges associated with tyre pyrolysis oil. This selection reinforces the versatility of our technologies in enabling circular economy solutions while delivering products that meet market and environmental requirements."

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Wallace Instruments has launched Wallace Instruments West Africa, a new Abidjan-based entity extending the UK materials testing equipment maker’s support for natural rubber producers across the region. The operation places servicing, calibration, spare parts and technical expertise closer to an established West African customer base that depends on Wallace instruments for plasticity, PRI and viscosity testing. The move is intended to shorten turnaround times and foster lasting local relationships.

Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa’s foremost natural rubber producer, ranks among the world’s leading exporters of technically specified rubber (TSR), supplying tyre and rubber product manufacturers globally, including the Americas. Properly maintained and calibrated instruments generate consistent, traceable results at source, strengthening confidence in shipment quality throughout the supply chain.

The Abidjan facility will feature a laboratory and training centre where customers can observe Wallace equipment in action and receive hands-on testing and technical guidance. Technicians trained by Wallace will use OEM calibration kits for fully compliant work, while customs-cleared spare parts stocks will cut lead times. An exclusive local partner will also provide servicing and calibration for other plantation and processing equipment across West Africa.

Chris Norval, Managing Director, Wallace Instruments, said, "Our aim is to bring trusted, traceable quality measurement closer to natural rubber production. Establishing Wallace Instruments West Africa helps our customers maintain reliable testing and strengthen quality control while giving the wider supply chain greater assurance in the test data. We're excited to be building our team locally and look forward to growing with the region."

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A new Bridgestone report released ahead of Tyre Safety Month 2026 reveals a troubling gap between UK motorists’ stated safety priorities and their actual tyre maintenance habits. While two-thirds of drivers rate safety as extremely important when replacing tyres, nearly half only think about their tyres once a year, and almost a third continue driving on them until an MOT failure forces action.

The manufacturer’s survey of 2,000 motorists found that 47 percent check their tyres only when an MOT is due, while 31 percent wait until being told their car will fail. One in five drivers admits to buying potentially deadly part-worn products despite being warned of the risks. Three in five motorists never check their tyres at all, even though 87 percent claim to know how to do so.

These findings arrive alongside TyreSafe estimates that 6.1 million tyres on UK roads are illegal or dangerously worn at any given time, typically because tread depth falls below the 1.6 mm legal limit. Department for Transport figures show that people killed or seriously injured in collisions involving illegal, defective or underinflated tyres rose from 169 in 2024 to 201 in 2025.

Bridgestone has conducted thousands of complimentary tyre checks across the UK over the past year and runs its Be a Bridgestone Road Safety Hero campaign, which offers drivers practical guidance on tread depth, pressure and tyre condition. The company also advocates mandatory tyre replacement as a penalty for driving on illegal tyres, a stance supported by 30 percent of survey respondents.

Helen Roe, Senior Manager for Brand, Events, Product and Digital Marketing, described the research as a timely reminder of the need to educate motorists. She noted that while drivers recognise tyre safety as the most important purchase factor, life-saving checks still are not happening, possibly because tyres remain an afterthought or because drivers lack confidence in performing them. She emphasised that tyres are the only contact points with the road and that part-worn products carry unknown histories and potential damage.

Bridgestone urges drivers to check pressures monthly when tyres are cold, inspect surfaces for lumps, bulges, cuts and cracks and verify tread depth exceeds 1.6 mm using a gauge or the 20p test. Motorists uncertain about their tyres should seek a qualified professional, with many garages offering free checks. The company says its community campaigns, educational resources and retailer partnerships aim to make correct safety decisions easier and to highlight how essential well-maintained tyres are to preventing accidents and saving lives.

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DUNLOP has unveiled a cashback promotion timed to coincide with the autumn motoring season, offering drivers a financial incentive of as much as EUR 80 on qualifying tyre purchases. The campaign runs from 1 October through 30 November 2026 and covers car, SUV and light commercial vehicle tyres. The exact rebate a customer receives is determined by how many tyres are bought and the diameter of those tyres in inches.

The initiative launches simultaneously across Germany, Austria and Poland, with France, Italy and Spain set to join in stages thereafter. Beyond the immediate price advantage, the company intends the promotion to showcase the breadth of its tyre portfolio. All DUNLOP tyres measuring 16 inches or larger bought within the promotional window qualify, while French customers can also claim on 15-inch tyres. In total, 891 products spanning 15 to 22 inches fall within the eligible range, 804 of them from 16 inches upward.

The eligible line-up spans winter, summer and all-season options suited to varied driving needs. Winter offerings include the DUNLOP WINTER, WINTER SPORT 5, SP WINTER SPORT 4D and SP WINTER SPORT 3D, alongside the year-round ALL SEASON 2 and summer tyres such as the SPORT MAXX RT2 and the BLUE RESPONSE TG launched in March. These cover small cars, compacts, estates, SUVs, motorhomes and light commercial vehicles, as well as horse boxes, boat trailers and caravans.

Summer tyres extend the range further, serving everything from daily commuting and long-distance travel to holiday journeys on country roads and motorways. Claiming the cashback is designed to be simple: purchasers register online at cashback.dunloptyres.com, submit their proof of purchase, and receive the corresponding amount once verification is complete.

Markus Bögner, President and Managing Director, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, explains, “A price advantage alone does not sell a tyre – it is ultimately its quality, safety and performance that are decisive. With the cashback promotion, we are creating an additional purchase incentive and giving potential customers the opportunity to experience the strengths of our tyres for themselves. If this leads to long-term customer relationships, we will have achieved our goal. At the same time, we are supporting our retail partners with their sales and strengthening the profile of the DUNLOP brand in the market together.”

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