Firestone introduced a new farm tyre, the Performer Extra, which comes with a 20% extra life compared to its predecessors, in the European market.

Based on the popular Firestone Performer 85 and 70 tyres, the Performer Extra’s extended life of the tyre helps to reduce its environmental footprint, as well as cutting down on long-term operational costs and improving business efficiency.

Its dual-angel lug brings great traction, while the extra load option allows a higher loading capacity than many competitor products. Like its predecessors, the Firestone Performer Extra has been designed with reliability as a priority. The tyre has a self-cleaning tread for excellent traction and improved fuel efficiency, while the flexible casing of the tyre reduces soil compaction and improves road handling and comfort.

The Firestone Performer Extra will progressively be released to the European market in 43 different sizes, ranging from 20 to 42 inches, from July 2020. The tyre was developed in Bridgestone’s European R&D centre in Italy and is produced in the Bridgestone plant in Puente San Miguel, Spain. As the Performer and Performer Extra tyre ranges maintain the same dimensions they are inter-compatible both on the same vehicle and on the same axle. Like the Firestone Performer 85 and 70, the Performer Extra can be fit to most tractors used for agriculture.

“Helping farmers has been at the heart of Firestone since this business was founded – Harvey Firestone himself was born on a farm,” says Mark Sanders, Head of Sales Agriculture, Bridgestone EMIA. “This is why, to this day, we have maintained our commitment to solving common farmer needs through strong and reliable products. The Firestone Performer Extra, the latest addition to our popular Performer range, offers all the benefits of its predecessors but now with a significantly longer tyre life. 20 percent is a huge difference and will be a real cost-saver for the farmers that will choose to make their operations more efficient and sustainable with the Firestone Performer Extra.” (MT)

SKF India, a leading technology and solutions provider for bearings and units, has launched a branded mobile van campaign targeted for two-wheeler mechanics across the country.

The initiative aims to engage with over 8,000 mechanics covering 100 cities in 19 states in India. The campaign will focus on skill development, product awareness and provide anti-counterfeiting education. For the automotive aftermarket segment, counterfeiting remains a significant challenge, which poses risks to both customers and mechanics.

Alagesan Thasari, Director, SKF Automotive India & Southeast Asia, said, “At SKF, we believe in fostering strong partnerships within the automotive ecosystem. This campaign is a step forward in ensuring customer satisfaction and enhancing the skills of mechanics who are vital to the ecosystem. By providing them with the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to succeed, we aim to not only enhance their skills but also contribute to a more sustainable and efficient automotive aftermarket."

The mobile van will showcase SKF’s wide range of two-wheeler offerings, providing mechanics hands-on interaction with high-quality solutions. Customers will also get benefits under SKF’s 15-month warranty program.

A striking anamorphic sculpture, crafted from repurposed headlights, air conditioning units, chipboards and other discarded materials is helping to turn e-waste into an art. It is aiding to bring new meaning to sustainability and creativity. 
A one-of-a-kind installation created by artists Rohini Maiti and Surya Punjabi in collaboration with Tata Motors’ Re.Wi.Re Recycling Facility, the striking anamorphic sculpture reflects the capability to transform e-waste into a powerful artistic statement. 
Through ‘Behind A Silver Lining’, the artists have explored the intersection of art, science, and technology, giving new life in the process, to materials that would otherwise be discarded. The installation challenges the way we view industrial waste, encouraging audiences to see potential where others see obsolescence.
More than just an artwork, the sculpture sparks important conversations about sustainability, innovation, and responsible recycling. Paying tribute to the Kala Ghoda tradition of horse-inspired sculptures, it also reflects on the evolution of transportation and the role of design in shaping a sustainable future.
 

Mahindra Truck and Bus (MTBD) has strengthened its presence in Assam with a new State-of-the-Art dealership in Lakhimpur. This is the 87th dealership of the company and reflects the company’s robust 46 percent CAGR volume growth over the last three years. 
The dealership at Lakhimpur (Assam) is made up of four service bays. Capable of servicing more than 10 vehicles per day, it also the facility for driver lodging, 24-hour breakdown assistance and AdBlue sale. 
Speaking about the new dealership, Dr Venkat Srinivas, Business Head – Mahindra Truck and Bus, and Construction Equipment, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, mentioned, “MTBD's strong presence in the Indian CV market has helped secure the number three position in various sectors. The superior technology of the Blazo X, Furio and Cruzio BS6 OBD II range of commercial vehicles is emphasised by the mileage guarantee ‘Get More Mileage or Give The Truck Back’. The state-of-art 3S facility coupled with strong dealer partners will set high customer service standards and help to expand the business.”
 Sateesh Machiraju, Head- Sales & Customer care – Mahindra Truck and Bus division, said, “Our R&D team’s customer centricity approach has resulted in higher fluid efficiency for entire product range of truck & bus division. Our vehicles are equipped with the most advance telematics solution – iMAXX, which give complete control over the transport business with real time monitoring of fuel, drivers behaviour, and vehicle health parameter. The new mileage guarantee, embodied by the motto ‘Zyada Mileage Nahin Toh Truck Wapas’ will provide unmatched value to our customers.”
 

TyrePlex has raised INR 200 million in funding (approximately US$ 2.4 million) round led by PeerCapital with the participation from Titan Capital Winners Fund, Sattva Family Office, and existing investors, including 100 Unicorns. This funding will be strategically deployed to accelerate growth in multiple areas. TyrePlex plans to expand its geographic footprint into the top 25 cities across India, leveraging a combination of qualitative and quantitative data points for city selection.
By focusing on establishing a strong distribution base, TyrePlex as a B2B tyre marketplace, is keen to unlock additional services for both tyre brands and dealers. These include tailored solutions for customer relationship management, inventory optimisation and advanced analytics to drive informed decision-making.
A significant portion of the funds will be allocated to strengthening the company’s technology platform to further enhance dealer-centric tools and improve operational efficiencies. TyrePlex will additionally pilot tyre recycling and reverse logistics initiatives, addressing key sustainability challenges in the industry. The company is also focusing on creating a lean yet highly effective team to support its city expansion plans.
Founded in 2020 by auto-tech industry veterans, the company aims to revolutionise the highly fragmented tyre retail ecosystem in India by offering a comprehensive, technology-driven platform that empowers tyre dealers to enhance their efficiency and profitability.
With over 20,000 registered tyre dealers, the platform provides tools to improve sales and margins, streamline procurement, manage inventory, and set up online stores. The company’s app offers an integrated solution that simplifies operations, generates demand, and enables easy procurement of tyres with delivery within three or four hours.
The company’s dealer-centric approach has resulted in a high Net Promoter Score (NPS) and impressive repeat business metrics, reflecting the platform’s ability to address dealer pain points effectively. With seamless operations, reliable product availability, and competitive pricing, the platform has garnered strong loyalty among its users, fostering trust and long-term partnerships.