Yokohama Rubber Company announced today that it is supplying its GEOLANDAR G91 tyres as original equipment (OE) to Subaru Corporation. This will be for use on the automaker’s new crossover SUV, the Crosstrek (Japanese-market model), which was unveiled in September 2022. The SUV is being fitted with 225/60R17 99H size tyres, claims Yokohama.

The GEOLANDAR G91 tyres combine the utility performance of SUV tyres with the fuel-efficiency, safety and performance demanded of urban crossovers and small / midsize SUVs. Yokohama states that the tyres being supplied on the new Crosstrek employ a highly rigid carcass, allowing them to demonstrate agile steering stability that befits the Crosstrek. In addition, the adoption of a flat side design that contributes to reducing tyre weight and controlling air resistance during driving has made it possible to achieve a high level of fuel efficiency.

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Michelin has marked a significant advancement in aircraft tyre technology with the introduction of the Air X Sky Light, developed specifically for Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 10X business jet. This tyre is the culmination of extensive research, rigorous testing and a deep industrial partnership between the two companies.

First revealed at the 2023 Paris Air Show, the Air X Sky Light represents a new generation of aircraft tyre engineered to meet the pressing demands of modern aviation. Its core objectives are to reduce weight, increase durability, improve operational efficiency and directly support the industry's decarbonisation efforts. By employing a novel radial construction, the tyre achieves a significant weight reduction of 10 to 20 percent compared to its predecessors while simultaneously extending its service life by an equal margin. This reduction in weight is a critical factor in aviation, leading to lower fuel consumption, decreased CO₂ emissions and reduced operational costs.

The tyre's enhanced performance is derived from an optimised tread footprint and summit geometry, combined with ultra-high-strength materials in the carcass and next-generation hybrid cords. In its design process, Michelin integrates a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment to minimise environmental impact from raw material extraction to the product's end of life. This commitment to a circular economy and responsible performance includes a growing use of renewable and recycled materials, supporting the group's ambition to utilise 100 percent sustainable materials by 2050.

The development of the Air X Sky Light is rooted in a collaborative relationship with Dassault Aviation spanning over four decades, a history that includes equipping aircraft from the Mirage III to the present day. Initial conversations regarding this tyre began in 2019, and since its showcase in 2023, Michelin has engaged in continuous refinement to meet the stringent demands of the aviation sector. These demands include withstanding extreme loads, high speeds and severe mechanical and thermal stresses.

The version created for the Falcon 10X is the first in a planned family of Air X Sky Light tyres, with future sizes intended for the broader commercial aviation market. This expansion will encompass both new aircraft programmes and retrofit options for existing fleets, with each new size undergoing rigorous certification processes. By delivering this breakthrough innovation as a practical, industry-ready solution, Michelin reinforces its five-decade legacy of supporting all sectors of aviation and shaping the future of aerospace.

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BKT Tyres has launched a nationwide campaign featuring Ranveer Singh to mark its entry into India’s on-highway consumer tyre segment, a market dominated by established domestic and global players.

The television-led multimedia campaign, titled “Elevate Your Drive,” introduces the company’s consumer positioning as it expands beyond its traditional strength in off-highway tyres used in agriculture, construction and industrial applications.

The campaign is built around the idea that ambition often stalls due to uncertainty and that confidence can help individuals push forward. BKT seeks to align its brand with that narrative, positioning its tyres as enabling progress and reliability for everyday drivers.

In the campaign film, Singh appears as himself, delivering a voiceover that links stories of people striving to move from ordinary circumstances to higher aspirations. The narrative focuses on ambition and forward momentum, themes the company hopes will resonate with India’s growing base of vehicle owners.

The campaign also introduces a new sonic identity for BKT, aimed at strengthening brand recall across television, digital and other multimedia platforms.

The move comes as BKT broadens its presence in the domestic market and targets growth in India’s on-highway tyre segment, which includes products for two-wheelers and commercial vehicles. The marketing push signals the company’s intent to build consumer recognition as it diversifies beyond its core off-highway tyre business.

Commenting on the launch, Mahesh Koppad, Chief Marketing Officer - India, BKT, said, “With ‘Elevate Your Drive’, we are positioning BKT Tyres for Indian consumers and our channel partners with a clear and meaningful purpose. Mobility, for us, is about empowering progress in a market where consumers seek reliability, performance, and meaning from the brands they choose. Our consumers expressed how journeys are about moving ahead in life, yet uncertainties often hold us back. At BKT Tyres, our ambition is to enable every Indian vehicle owner’s desire to move forward with confidence. Our commitment is to build an enduring brand and deliver best‑in‑class products that uphold the performance, trust, and innovation that is synonymous with BKT globally. ‘Elevate Your Drive’ isn’t just a campaign line, it is the guiding principle shaping our consumer‑focused initiatives. The campaign will be deployed through a high‑reach media mix to maximize awareness and drive strong early adoption.”

Avik Chattopadhyay, Co-founder, Expereal added, “The best way for an Off‑highway specialist brand to enter the consumer segment is to adopt a deeply customer‑centric approach to purpose, promise, and positioning. BKT Tyres aims to enhance every vehicle owner’s progress and driving delight by building an ecosystem that empowers individuals to move forward with confidence.”

Commenting on the same Creative Chairman Infectious Ramanuj Shastry said, “The journey from good to better is one that never ends. While for some, victory is the ultimate destination, for the truly great, it is but a pitstop. BKT Tyres makes sure that when the human spirit is raring to keep going further, the roads don’t hold it back.”

The campaign was conceptualised and executed by Infectious Advertising, which crafted a compelling human story around BKT Tyres’ engineering strength. The film was produced in collaboration with Mangata Films and Prachar Communications, bringing the campaign’s vision to life, while Expereal co-created the brand strategy for India.

Watch the entire video @ https://youtu.be/GwdnMogVAbc?si=ca0MIRoh3WOjqSE1

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Hankook Tire, the official tyre supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), has confirmed that the 2026 WRC Safari Rally Kenya is scheduled for 12 to 15 March 2026 near Naivasha. This event is recognised as one of the most punishing off-road challenges in the series, set against the backdrop of the demanding African savanna. For this rally, Hankook introduced the new Dynapro R213 soft gravel tyre, featuring an optimised compound for better low-temperature flexibility and superior grip on wet surfaces, while its adaptable structure ensures consistent durability under severe conditions.

Departing from its customary Nairobi start, this year’s competition will concentrate entirely on the harsh gravel terrain surrounding Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. Drivers will need to quickly adjust to newly designed, high-intensity stages and refine their race tactics from the very beginning. Spanning four days, the rally consists of 20 Special Stages covering roughly 350.52 kilometres. Competitors will encounter a treacherous mix of deep sand, sharp rocks, expansive savanna sections and the infamous fine ‘fesh-fesh’ dust, all compounded by swiftly shifting weather. In this unpredictable environment, tyre resilience, grip and handling stability are paramount to performance.

The Safari Rally consistently draws significant global motorsport attention. Since its return to the WRC calendar in 2021, the Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team has achieved five consecutive victories at this event. Nevertheless, strong challenges are anticipated from both the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team and the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team, promising a fierce contest for the win.

Since taking over as the exclusive tyre supplier for all WRC classes in 2025, Hankook has leveraged data from its involvement in over 70 global motorsport championships. The company applies these race-proven insights to advance its ultra-high-performance tyre technology, continually reinforcing its leadership in the field.

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The Board of Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB (Enviro) has resolved to file for bankruptcy for its fully owned subsidiary, Tyre Recycling in Sweden AB. A formal petition has been submitted to the District Court of Gothenburg to initiate the process. This action forms part of the broader company reorganisation currently underway for the parent company and is specifically intended to improve Enviro’s liquidity and support its long-term profitability.

The subsidiary in question operated a recycling facility in Åsensbruk, which was instrumental in validating both the company’s technological processes and the products derived from them. Having successfully fulfilled this developmental role, the facility’s ongoing operations are no longer strategically essential. Given that the site has not been financially viable, the Board determined that filing for bankruptcy for the subsidiary was the necessary course of action.

This decision is projected to negatively impact Enviro’s financial results through an impairment charge of approximately SEK 84 million (approximately USD 9.14 million). Despite this measure, Enviro’s core operations in Gothenburg will continue without disruption, running in parallel with other initiatives being implemented under the reorganisation framework. It is important to note that the company reorganisation applies exclusively to the parent company, Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB, and not to its subsidiaries.

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