The CrossClimate2 has been lauded for being the first passenger tyre in the all-season category to deliver multiple performance attributes without compromise. Competitors in the all-season tyre category typically deliver one or two performance areas well but must make sacrifices in other areas that are important to drivers. The CrossClimate2 delivers them all – wet stopping, longevity, dry grip and snow performance.

The CrossClimate2 has a distinct V-formation tread pattern. This tread pattern works together with the tyre’s revolutionary rubber compound to redefine the “all-season” category and bring drivers a tyre that excels in more climate conditions than any competing product.

Road testing shows the CrossClimate2 wears better than leading competitors. Not by a little bit, by a lot -- up to 15,000 extra miles. That’s up to an additional year of use.2 The CrossClimate2 includes a 60,000-mile warranty.

Stopping power matters in wet or dry conditions. The CrossClimate2 stops up to 16 feet shorter (more than one full car length) on dry pavement than four leading competitive tyres.

NEW COMPOUND, TREAD MAKE CINTURATO ALL SEASON SF2 WINNER

Pirelli’s Cinturato All Season SF2, their latest all-season tyre, offers top performance in both winter and summer conditions. The new compound and tread pattern design that adapts automatically to the different temperature peaks of summer and winter, a review says. The tread pattern is so designed that it responds to the surface conditions well.

“To provide grip when we are driving in the snow, a tyre has to cut the snow surface and trap the snow itself to provide the grip, because snow with snow has higher grip than rubber with snow. From this point of view, the sipes of typical winter tyres are fundamental. This is the same for all-season tyres. In the SF2 you will see that the sipes are linear, not zigzagged like a typical winter tyre. This is because they also have to work in the summer,” Pierangelo Misani, Senior VP, R&D and cyber at Pirelli, was quoted as saying.

Pirelli says the compound also changes characteristics depending on temperature: soft and adaptable for cold and wet conditions, rigid and stable for when it is dry. This is achieved through careful blending of the components of the compound, which includes biphasic polymeric materials chemically linked by silica particles – a concept that Pirelli claims also delivers lower rolling resistance, for lower fuel consumption or a longer battery range.

CONTINENTAL LAUNCHES EXTREMECONTACT DWS06 PLUSON

Continental Tire has launched its latest all-season ultra-high performance ExtremeContact DWS06 Pluson. It is available in 100 sizes and covers 96% of the all-season ultra-high-performance market.

The ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus is the successor to the popular ExtremeContact™DWS06 with improvement in all key performance areas including enhanced dry and wet handling, improved braking, and improved snow and ice performance. It also features exceptional tread life and is backed by a 50,000 mile limited tread life warranty.

Continental Tire’s SportPlus™ Technology provides precise handling, security on wet, slippery roads and excellent tread life, while QuickView Indicators visually inform drivers to the level tires are performing in dry, wet and snow, and the need to check vehicles’ alignment.

The ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus is ideal for performance-focused drivers of sports and luxury cars, CUVs and SUVs.

Continental Tire’s Total Confidence Plan which provides an extra measure of confidence with a comprehensive package of available warranties and services including: Limited Warranty, Flat Tire Roadside Assistance, Customer Satisfaction Trial, Mileage Warranty (if applicable) and Road Hazard Coverage.

NOKIAN ONE: NEWEST ALL-SEASON FROM COMPANY

Nokian is ramping up production of its newest, the Nokian One, which will be produced at its new plant in Tennessee as well as in Europe. The One is the first Nokian all-season tyre developed specifically for the North American market. A tyre that can better handle hazardous road situations while having a tread life expectancy of 80,000 miles is a promising prospect. So is the expected affordable price point, although the company has not released price information yet.

Nokian claims the One will have improved wet braking and handling over its current Entyre 2.0 all-season as well as lower rolling resistance. The company says the Nokian One has a Driving Safety Indicator on the tread (pictured at left above) that displays a number to indicate the amount of tread remaining.

YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER WINS TOP DESIGN AWARD

Yokohama “GEOLANDAR CV G058,” touring tyre for crossover SUVs, won the Chicago Athenaeum’s 2020 Good Design Awards. The award, established in 1950, is the world’s oldest and most prestigious worldwide design award. It is organized by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design. Candidate products are judged by experts who evaluate products from diverse perspectives, including design, use of new technologies, materials and function. In 2020, the Good Design Award was presented to more than 900 products and graphic designs from entries received from more than 47 countries and covering a wide range of categories, including electronics equipment, transportation-related goods, and medical equipment.

The “GEOLANDAR CV G058” is a grand touring tyre that delivers comfortable rides on long-distance drives as well as on city roads, according to Yokohama. In addition to basic performance features of a highway terrain tyre, such as safety and noise reduction, the design contributes to its excellent wear resistance and fuel efficiency. Yokohama said the “GEOLANDAR CV G058” has secured the M+S (mud & snow) designation that indicates its reliable performance in a sudden snowfall.

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India’s growing importance in the global tyre and rubber industry received a strong endorsement with HF Group announcing a EUR 20 million investment in a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Bengaluru.

The announcement was made during the inauguration of HF India’s new Assembly Hall Unit II, a milestone that reflects the company’s long-term commitment to India and its confidence in the country’s manufacturing future.

The proposed greenfield facility will be developed on a 10-acre site near Bengaluru Airport and is scheduled for completion by 2028. Spread across nearly 20,000 sq. metres, the new factory will be almost four times larger than the current assembly operations and will incorporate digital manufacturing, automation, smart production systems, and advanced engineering capabilities.

The upcoming facility will focus on productivity, precision engineering, sustainability, and smart manufacturing while supporting both the Indian market and HF’s global operations. The investment underlines the company’s confidence in India as a major manufacturing hub for the global tyre and rubber industry.

Ian Wilson, Managing Director & Co-CEO, HF Group, said, “This is not the end of our investment in India. It is perhaps the end of the beginning. India is entering a take-off decade and the economy runs on tyres. We see tremendous opportunities for growth and are committed to investing in the future of the Indian market.”

With more than 175 years of global experience, HF Group has steadily strengthened its presence in India. The journey began in 1995 with the establishment of Indus to serve the growing rubber processing industry. The partnership with HF Mixing Group in 2011 brought global mixing technology expertise to India, while the complete acquisition of the Indian subsidiary in 2024 marked another important milestone in the company’s India strategy.

Today, HF India manufactures and supports a broad portfolio of mixing and rubber processing equipment, including intermeshing and tangential mixers, banbury technology, mills, curing presses, and aftermarket services. The company also offers process support, training, upgrades, inspections, and spare parts under its customer-centric philosophy of ‘Holding the Customer’s Hand.’

Emphasising the importance of customer partnerships, Wilson said, “We are not here simply to sell machinery. We want to hold our customers’ hands throughout the entire lifecycle of their equipment and support them through process optimisation, performance improvements and future growth.”

As HF embarks on its next chapter in India, the new facility represents not only an investment in manufacturing capacity but also a long-term commitment to localisation, technology and customer partnerships.

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TBC Corporation (TBC), one of North America’s largest marketers of automotive replacement tyres through wholesale and franchise operations, has named Ron Harper as its new Chief Supply Chain Officer. He will report directly to President and CEO Don Byrd and assume responsibility for the company’s entire supply chain function.

Harper brings over 26 years of experience steering global supply chains for multi-billion-dollar enterprises. His most recent role was Executive Vice President of Supply Chain at PrimeSource Building Products, overseeing planning, inventory, repack operations, service metrics and analytics. He has also held senior logistics and strategy positions at Sonepar USA, Nordstrom, Samsung SEA, and JCPenney.

The new chief holds a master’s degree in supply chain management from the University of Denver and a bachelor’s in industrial management from Michigan Technological University. His appointment underscores TBC’s focus on strengthening operational efficiency and logistics performance.

Byrd said, “Ron’s depth of experience in building transformative supply chain solutions aligns with our deep commitment to providing customers with the high-level efficiency, product availability and agility they expect from TBC. As market needs change and demands fluctuate, TBC is continuing to respond by having a supply chain strategy that minimises disruptions and maximises efficiency to ensure the highest levels of customer support and satisfaction.”

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The Rubber Board of India has announced the appointment of N Hari as its new Chairman, effective for a tenure of three years. Hailing from Pallikkathode in Kottayam, Kerala, Hari brings considerable experience to the leadership role, having previously served as a Board member representing small rubber growers from the state.

His initial term on the Board commenced on 28 June 2022 and spanned three years. During this period, he also held the position of Executive Committee Member from 7 October 2023 to 6 October 2024. This progression from membership to the executive committee and now to the chairmanship reflects his sustained engagement with the organisation.

His appointment is expected to steer the Board's initiatives in supporting the rubber sector, focusing on grower welfare and industry development across India.

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The Indian automotive landscape is currently undergoing a seismic shift. Driven by the rapid rise of rural urbanisation, an aggressive government push for electrification and the development of world-class road infrastructure, the industry is witnessing a period of robust growth. With sales of both new and used vehicles touching record highs, the demand for high-quality tyres remains in a significant upswing.

At the helm of one of the market’s most prominent players is Rajarshi Moitra, Managing Director of Bridgestone India and Vice-Chairman, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA).

In an interaction with Tyre Trends, Moitra discusses the company’s future-ready roadmap, from its substantial capacity expansions to a ‘sharp and deep’ strategic focus designed to maintain leadership in an increasingly premium and electrified market.

A BULLISH OUTLOOK ON THE SUBCONTINENT

While global economic indicators remain varied, Moitra is unequivocally optimistic about the local trajectory. “The Indian automotive industry is at an exceptionally positive juncture from a medium-to-long-term perspective,” he asserts.

This optimism is grounded in several structural tailwinds that suggest India is slated for very strong growth. Key among these factors is the sheer room for market expansion.

“Firstly, we are still significantly under-indexed in terms of car penetration, with only 50 cars per 1,000 people – well below even some smaller developing nations,” Moitra explains.

Furthermore, the geographical spread of wealth is changing. Bridgestone is observing massive growth in Tier 2, 3 and 4 towns, a phenomenon Moitra attributes to ‘rural urbanisation’.

Bridgestone India estimates a transformative half-decade ahead for the industry. “The number of affordable households – those capable of purchasing a car – will double in India over the next five year. When you couple this with the government’s massive capital outflow into road connectivity and the rise of e-commerce, it creates a very bullish environment for both passenger and commercial mobility,” Moitra says.

THE ‘SHARP AND DEEP’ STRATEGIC PILLAR

Despite India being the world’s largest two-wheeler market, Bridgestone is famously absent from that segment – and intends to stay that way for now. Moitra clarifies that the company’s philosophy is rooted in specialisation rather than horizontal expansion. “At Bridgestone, we believe in being ‘sharp and deep’ in our strategy,” he says.

Currently, Bridgestone India’s business split is heavily weighted towards the consumer segment, with 70 percent of sales coming from Passenger Car Radial (PCR), 25 percent from Truck and Bus Radial (TBR) and 5 percent from Off-the-Road (OTR) segment.

“We see enough headroom for growth within the passenger car segment across products, channels and customer experience, so we are focusing our resources on maintaining our leadership there,” Moitra notes, dismissing any near-term plans to enter the two-wheeler space.

Instead, the company is doubling down on ‘white spaces’ within the consumer car category, specifically targeting higher rim diameters and specialised compounds for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

INVESTING IN CAPACITY AND LOCAL INTELLIGENCE

To support this growth, Bridgestone is moving aggressively on the manufacturing front. With current operations running at 90–95 percent capacity, the company is in the midst of a major investment cycle.

At present, the company’s Pune plant has a capacity to produce 4.01 million passenger car tyres and around 693,000 truck & bus radial tyres, while the Indore plant has a capacity to produce 7.11 million radial tyres for passenger cars and light trucks.

“Our last major investment was USD 85 million in October 2024, which is being ramped up in phases through 2029,” Moitra confirms. This capital is being used to scale volumes and enhance technical capabilities at the Indore factory.

The new investment is expected to further add 1.1 million tyre production capacity in Pune by CY2029, thus taking its total production capacity to around 11.1 million units in the country.

“Our strategy is two-fold: we want to be future-ready for market demand while simultaneously sweating our current assets to drive higher efficiency,” Moitra explains. Crucially, this expansion isn’t just about physical output; it’s about local autonomy. Moitra highlights that a ‘very large part’ of procurement is now local, decided by teams on the ground in India.

The launch of a Satellite Technology Centre in 2025 has further decentralised the company’s innovation engine. According to Moitra, this centre plays a pivotal role in increasing local leverage and technical presence, allowing the Indian arm to maintain a balance between local agility and global sourcing.

EVs AND PREMIUMISATION

As the Indian market matures, consumers are demanding larger wheel sizes – a trend Moitra says is led by OEMs. “We are seeing a clear market shift towards higher inches – for example, a car like the Maruti Suzuki Swift moving from 14-inch to 15-inch and others moving from 16-inch to 17-inch,” he observes.

Bridgestone’s ‘all-inch’ strategy covers the spectrum from 12 to 20 inches, but their brand strength is most potent in these premium, higher-diameter sizes.

This premiumisation dovetails with the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). Bridgestone has positioned itself with an ‘EV-ready’ portfolio, exemplified by the Turanza 6i. “It balances long-lasting durability and safety with low noise and comfort – essential for EVs,” says Moitra. To ensure they capture this nascent but fast-growing market, the company expanded the range from 36 sizes in 2024 to 72 sizes by 2025.

The OEM relationship remains the cornerstone of this technological foresight. “The OEM segment allows us to see ahead of the curve regarding future vehicle technologies,” Moitra explains.

At present, 35 percent of their consumer business is OE-based and Bridgestone is in active discussions with many of the newer automotive entrants arriving in India.

While Bridgestone is aggressively expanding its footprint in new tyre technology and premium consumer segments, it is taking a markedly more conservative approach towards the retreading sector in India. Despite the potential for material circularity, the company does not view retreading as a strategic priority for the immediate future.

Moitra clarifies that Bandag, Bridgestone’s global retreading arm, is not currently active in India, and there are no plans to introduce it in the near-term. This decision is driven largely by the unique and challenging dynamics of the local market, which is currently dominated by cold retreading.

He points out that a significant pricing challenge exists when ‘cold retreads versus biased tyres versus some of the cheaper tyres’ are compared, making the business case difficult to justify at this stage. Consequently, Bridgestone has opted to remain focused on its core segments for the next two to three years rather than entering the retreading space.

SUSTAINABILITY AND THE ‘INSTITUTION OF RESPECT’

Beyond the numbers, Bridgestone is attempting to build what Moitra calls an ‘institution of respect’. This involves a heavy commitment to environmental goals. The Pune plant already holds the distinction of being the first carbon-neutral facility in the Bridgestone group.

“Sustainability is a core agenda across our entire value chain,” Moitra explains, noting a public commitment to reduce the company’s carbon footprint by 50 percent by 2030, including Scope 3 emissions. This holistic approach ranges from manufacturing processes to material circularity in the tyres themselves.

Looking ahead, the goal is to protect a dominant market share – currently over 20 percent by volume and 23 percent by value in the passenger car aftermarket. To do this, Bridgestone plans to expand its physical reach by 30 percent over the next five years, building upon its current network of over 4,000 touchpoints.

As the company transitions its branding from the Olympics to Formula E, the focus remains clear: high performance and the next era of mobility. “It’s the perfect platform to showcase our technological edge,” Moitra concludes.

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