Yokohama Rubber Co. (YRC), one of the leading tyre manufacturers in the world, is shutting down its Hadera factory in Israel, effective 31 December, 2024.

The company says over the past several years, tyre makers have been setting up their manufacturing facilities in South Asia, which provided local raw materials sourcing as well as competitive labour costs. This has led to Israel loosing its competitive advantage, along with the high transport costs on busy routes for exporting tyres from Israel.

Then there is also the environmental and structural shift in the tyre manufacturing industry, wherein YRC is focussing on attaining “sustainable profitability to secure its future.”

The Hadera plant is one of the over 30 facilities in YRC's global network. It has been operations for more than 70 years. As of August 2024, the Hadera facility had around 474 employees.

The closure of the facility is part of YRC's consolidation plans to align its production footprint with market conditions. The tyre maker said that the closure of the Israel plant is a difficult but necessary step to ensure the long-term sustainability of YRC.

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The J&K Bank presents JK Tyre Rally of Himalayas 2026, recognised as one of the nation's most gruelling rally raids, drew to a close on 30th September following over four days of fierce competition through the high-altitude terrains of Lahaul-Spiti and Zanskar. The event assembled 50 cars and 80 riders, all confronting some of India's most unforgiving mountain routes where precision, endurance and rapid decision-making faced constant scrutiny.

Beginning with a flag-off from Manali on 26 September 2026, participants navigated rugged stretches across Lahaul and Spiti, including the formidable Kunzum La crossing, notorious for its extreme conditions and demanding driving lines. Steep inclines, unpredictable weather and altitude-related pressures placed relentless strain on both machines and competitors, underscoring the rally's reputation for testing speed alongside consistency.

From the outset, Rajiv Yadav asserted his presence by seizing the lead on Day One, building momentum while monitoring strong local challenger Aaryak Rana, who remained a closely watched contender during the early phases. As technical demands intensified, holding position became as vital as pursuing outright pace, with the standings gradually revealing those capable of blending speed with reliability.

A pivotal 72-km competitive stage, later run in reverse, introduced a fresh challenge by forcing competitors to recalibrate braking points, turn-in timing and pacing strategies on familiar ground approached from the opposite direction. A significant setback occurred when Lakhpa Tsering, the 2015 Raid de Himalaya champion, withdrew his Toyota Hilux due to a technical fault, highlighting how mechanical dependability proves as crucial as driving prowess in such events.

Following the reverse stage, Daksh Gill shifted the rally's momentum by clinching the next two stages, starting with the reverse Losar to Gramphu run. The competition then advanced towards Shinku La, climbing beyond 16,500 feet, where control, traction and throttle precision mattered more than raw speed. Gill's capacity to sustain pace in these conditions proved instrumental in shaping the final outcome.

Moving into the Zanskar Valley, competitors encountered one of the event's most punishing phases, featuring a high-speed run across dramatic, desert-like high-altitude terrain. Gill once again displayed remarkable pace and consistency, reaching speeds of up to 200 kmph during the Zanskar stretch, a decisive segment that reinforced the necessity of combining outright speed with control in extreme conditions. The rally ultimately concluded in Padum, the headquarters of Zanskar district.

In the Moto category, Dhritimaan Singh emerged victorious, with Happy Verma as runner-up and Nitish Bharadwaj taking second runner-up. The Xtreme four-wheel class saw Rajiv Yadav and Rohit Gowda triumph, followed by Aaryak Rana and Aditya Sharma as runners-up, while Daksh Gill and Virender Kashyap secured second runner-up. Adventure four-wheel honours went to Soham Hazra and Nirav Mehta, with Santosh HM and Prakash Muthusamy as runners-up, Chandra Mouli and Sri Sakthi Kumar N in third and Sachin Mandhwani with Adhitya Anthony in fourth.

A prize distribution ceremony, featuring regional cultural performances, was attended by dignitaries including Arava Gopi Krishna, IAS, Administrative Secretary, Transport and Housing and Urban Development; Moses Kunzang, Staff Officer to Chief Secretary; Tsewang Dorjai, DGM-cum-Zonal Head, J&K Bank; Rigzin Sangdup, SP, Zanskar; Gulam Mohammed, CEO, Tourism Development Authority and ADDC Kargil; and Sarwar Shehzad, SDM, Zanskar.

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Hankook Tire has underscored the competitiveness of its winter and all-season portfolio through strong showings in two recent independent assessments. The Kinergy 4S 2 all-season tyre and the Winter i*cept RS 3 winter tyre both earned top-tier results in tests conducted by Auto Zeitung, in its issue 20/2026, and by the Automobilclub von Deutschland (AvD) in August 2026. The evaluations positioned the manufacturer’s products favourably across multiple performance and economic criteria.

In the Auto Zeitung all-season comparison, the Kinergy 4S 2 was assessed in the widely used 225/45 R 17 fitment and received the publication’s ‘Highly recommended’ designation. The tyre demonstrated notable composure on snow, with predictable cornering behaviour that testers described as making it a comfortable winter-capable option. It also excelled in aquaplaning resistance while cornering and recorded the quickest wet-handling lap on the circular track. On dry surfaces, the editorial team noted trouble-free behaviour at the limits, solid projected mileage, and strong value for money.

The AvD’s 2026 all-season test delivered similarly positive outcomes. Evaluated in size 225/50 R 17, the Kinergy 4S 2 claimed the best value-for-money ranking and performed strongly in the economy and environment category, earning 4.78 out of five stars overall. It achieved five stars each for mileage and fuel consumption, along with 4.9 stars for tyre wear. Against a twelve-tyre field, it also placed highly for aquaplaning and aquaplaning in curves, securing 4.20 stars in the final ranking and an overall ‘Good’ rating.

Separately, the Winter i*cept RS 3, tested in 225/45 R 17, received an overall ‘Good’ verdict with 4.26 stars in the AvD winter tyre evaluation. It performed particularly well in snow braking and traction, scoring 4.4 and 4.3 stars, and in aquaplaning in curves and straight-line aquaplaning, with 4.5 and 4.4 stars. The tyre also earned 4.43 stars across economic and environmental criteria, including 4.6 stars for weight and 4.5 stars each for fuel consumption, mileage and tyre wear.

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Bridgestone Corporation has confirmed it will become the exclusive tyre supplier for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the foremost all-electric motorsport series, beginning with the 2026/27 season. The announcement positions the Japanese manufacturer at the centre of a championship that has grown into a global platform for electric racing since its founding in 2014.

The forthcoming season will mark the competitive debut of the GEN4 car, a machine that redefines performance boundaries. With permanent active All-Wheel Drive, remarkable torque and acceleration, the GEN4 reaches 100 kmph in 1.8 seconds and attains a top speed of 335 kmph, while producing a peak output of 815 bhp. These figures make it the quickest and most potent Formula E vehicle ever built.

(From left) Emilio Tiberio (WEST CTO, Bridgestone), Jeff Dodds (CEO, Formula E), Yasuhiro Morita (Global CEO and Representative Executive Officer, Bridgestone), Marek Nawarecki (Senior Circuit Sport Director, FIA) and Hiroshi Imai (Executive Officer, CPO, Global Motorsports, Bridgestone)

To harness this performance, Bridgestone has engineered the POTENZA GEN4 tyre, designed to deliver high grip, broad adaptability across varied road and weather conditions and durability that sustains performance throughout a race. A second specification, the POTENZA GEN4 for TYPHOON TYRE, has also been created to ensure stable handling and strong grip when heavy rain leaves substantial water on the track.

Sustainability features prominently in the tyre programme. Each GEN4 tyre incorporates a 65 percent allocation of recycled and renewable materials, including carbon black recovered from pyrolysis oil of end-of-life tyres and silica derived from rice husks. Natural rubber is drawn from supply chains subject to Bridgestone due diligence, compliant with the GPSNR Assurance System and verified by an independent third party. Manufacturing uses 100 percent renewable energy for both heat and electricity, while low-carbon logistics help curb CO₂ emissions, with chemical recycling of end-of-life tyres among wider value-chain initiatives pursued alongside partners.

Formula E, governed by the FIA, has expanded rapidly through street races in cities such as Monaco, Sao Paulo, Sanya and Tokyo, alongside traditional circuits. Its digital engagement and programmes such as FIA Girls on Track have helped build a fan base exceeding 400 million. Committed to Making Progress Thrilling, the championship demonstrates that electric racing can drive measurable change rather than merely inspire.

The Bridgestone Formula E World Premiere, held in Rome on 30 September ahead of the 2026/27 season, drew representatives from the FIA, Formula E, teams, drivers, international media and influencers. Global CEO Yasuhiro Morita shared his enthusiasm for the entry, while Chief Product Officer for Global Motorsports Hiroshi Imai and WEST Chief Technology Officer Emilio Tiberio detailed the tyre technology behind the GEN4. The new Bridgestone motorsport logo and design elements appeared on the GEN4 tyres for the first time, and Bridgestone’s Technical Center Europe subsequently offered demonstrations of the production site and the development work of engineers and test drivers.

Bridgestone will supply tyres for all races in the 2026/27 Season and will also serve as the title sponsor for the following four races:

Yasuhiro Morita, Global CEO and Representative Executive Officer, Bridgestone Corporation, said, “Our return to the FIA World Championship is an exciting re-entry that embodies Bridgestone’s history of passion and innovation. Under our Mission ‘Serving Society with Superior Quality’, we have continued to push the limits with an insatiable quest for performance and a sense of responsibility for a better future through motorsport activities. On the supreme stage of Formula E, we will further evolve the balance of performance and sustainability and pioneer a new future for mobility. Together with organisers, teams, drivers, partners and fans, we look forward to creating a new future.”

Jeff Dodds, CEO, Formula E, said, “We are delighted to welcome Bridgestone to Formula E as our sole tyre supplier for the 2026/27 Season and beyond. Combining rich motorsport heritage with cutting-edge sustainable innovation, Bridgestone is a fitting partner as we embark on this exciting new era. The GEN4 car represents the pinnacle of sustainable motorsport design, and we look forward to working with Bridgestone as we continue to redefine electric racing and lead the race for progress both on and off the track.”

Marek Nawarecki, Senior Circuit Sport Director, FIA, said, “Bridgestone’s appointment as the sole tyre supplier for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship marks an exciting new chapter as we enter the GEN4 era. The tyres will play a key role in delivering the performance and efficiency expected from this new generation of Formula E cars. Building on the collaboration already established during the development of the GEN4 tyres, we look forward to continuing this work with Bridgestone, Formula E and the teams to deliver tyres that meet the demanding requirements of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and contribute to close, competitive racing for drivers and fans.”

Hiroshi Imai, Executive Officer, CPO, Global Motorsports, Bridgestone Corporation, said, “We are truly delighted to showcase Bridgestone’s technology and passion to the world on the new stage of Formula E. In developing POTENZA GEN4, we pushed the limits of our technology to fully unlock the overwhelming performance of GEN4. In particular, the newly introduced POTENZA GEN4 for TYPHOON TYRE represents a symbolic evolution for the GEN4 era, enabling drivers to confidently take on even wet conditions. By supporting the dramatically evolved GEN4 from the ground up, we are also advancing initiatives towards carbon neutrality and resource circulation, striving to realise sustainable motorsport. We will continue to deliver the superior quality to circuits around the world, bringing new excitement and inspiration to racing fans worldwide.”

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Kumho Tire USA celebrated a strong result at Round Seven of the Formula DRIFT PRO Championship, where KUMHO driver Jack Shanahan drove his E82 BMW to a third-place finish at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on KUMHO Ecsta V730 tyres. The Las Vegas podium was Shanahan’s third of the season, following a third-place result at the Streets of Long Beach opener and a second-place finish at Round Four in Stafford Springs, Connecticut.

After qualifying sixth, Shanahan advanced through the main competition by defeating Jhonnattan Castro in the Top 32, Ryan Tuerck in the Top 16 and Chris Forsberg in the Great 8. In the Final 4, he faced his younger brother, Conor, in a close battle that ended when Jack dropped two tyres off course in Zone 4. Despite the narrow loss, he remains fourth in the standings with one round left in Long Beach, California, on 23–24 October.

The KUMHO Ecsta V730 is an extreme-performance summer tyre designed for exceptional grip, responsiveness and consistency under demanding track conditions, making it a proven option for competitive motorsports and enthusiast drivers.

Ed Cho, CEO, Kumho Tire USA, said, "Jack's performance this season continues to demonstrate not only the determination and skill of our drivers but also the reliability of KUMHO tyres. In high-pressure situations, our drivers can rely on KUMHO tyres to deliver the traction, responsiveness and control they need to compete at their best."

Shanahan said, "It's been an exciting season, and I'm proud to have secured another podium finish with the consistent performance of the KUMHO Ecsta V730 tyres. The team and I are looking forward to carrying this momentum into the final round next month and fight for the Championship podium."

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