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)
Roinet Insurance Brokers Launches Motor Insurance Platform Roinet Kavach
- By MT Bureau
- March 10, 2026
Roinet Insurance Brokers has announced the launch of Roinet Kavach, a digital motor insurance platform designed to increase insurance adoption in Tier III to Tier VI markets. The company expects 2.5x–3x growth over the next 6–12 months and is targeting a GMV of INR 1 billion by FY2027, with motor insurance projected to contribute 35 percent of revenue.
The platform utilises a network of over 70,000 rural touchpoints to reach first-time buyers, who currently represent 65 percent of the customer base. Primary growth has been recorded in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
Roinet Kavach is a mobile-first interface designed for low-bandwidth environments. It allows Point of Sale Persons (POSPs) to generate quotes, compare premiums and issue policies in three minutes.
The platform currently integrates real-time pricing from ICICI Lombard, Chola MS, SBI General and Go Digit. At present, two-wheelers contributes 75 percent, private cars 15 percent and commercial vehicles 10 percent of policies, respectively.
The platform serves 1,000 POSPs in rural and semi-urban regions, providing them with vernacular support, renewal integration, and claims assistance. According to the company, the system creates a monthly income stream of INR 2,000 to INR 10,000 for these distributors through transparent commissions.
Future plans for the platform include the introduction of telematics-based risk scoring, electric-vehicle-specific products, and usage-based pricing models as regulations evolve.
Rahul Mathur, CEO, Roinet Insurance Brokers, said, “Roinet Kavach solves a real and persistent distribution gap in motor insurance by ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accessibility for millions of Indians who have never availed a policy before. By placing the right digital tools in the hands of our last-mile POSPs, who are our backbone, we are strengthening insurance reach in underserved markets and helping build financial resilience in regions the industry has long overlooked. It is a win-win for both the end customer and our POSPs.”
Autorox And Boodmo Partner To Launch Connected Digital Aftermarket Ecosystem
- By MT Bureau
- March 10, 2026
Autorox, a digital repair shop network, and Boodmo, an automotive spare parts marketplace, have announced a strategic partnership to create a connected aftermarket ecosystem in India. The collaboration aims to link workshops, parts catalogues and sellers in real time.
At present, Autorox operates a network of 2,000 workshops in India and has a presence in 40 countries. The partnership focuses on a ‘Discovery First’ workflow, which embeds parts intelligence directly into the digital repair order used by technicians.
The system integrates a digital parts catalogue into the Autorox repair process. When a vehicle is diagnosed, the workshop can identify parts, verify fitment and check live inventory from sellers on the Autozilla platform without leaving the repair interface. This data is then surfaced to marketplaces like Boodmo.
This integration is intended to replace manual searches and external catalogue checks. By linking the repair order to live seller data, the companies aim to ensure that stock levels reflect actual inventory rather than cached data.
The companies stated that this launch is the first step in a broader partnership. Future phases are expected to include:
- Fulfillment Integration: Streamlining the delivery of parts from sellers to workshops.
- Ecosystem Data Sharing: Building an interoperable infrastructure for the Indian aftermarket.
- Automated Procurement: Linking diagnosis triggers directly to parts ordering.
Vijay Gummadi, Founder & CEO, Autorox, said, “India never waited for landlines or legacy banking - it leapfrogged straight to mobile and UPI. The aftermarket is at that same moment. Our partnership with boodmo is how we make that leap. By embedding real-time parts discovery directly into the repair workflow and linking it to live seller availability, we are eliminating guesswork and wasted time - and building a connected ecosystem that India's aftermarket has never had before.”
Oleksandr Danylenko, Founder, Boodmo, added, “By tapping into real-time availability from sellers, we are strengthening trust across the ecosystem and improving outcomes for workshops, sellers, and customers alike.”
ACDelco Makes India Return Via Licensing Agreement With Assurance Intl
- By MT Bureau
- March 09, 2026
Assurance Intl has announced the relaunch of ACDelco, the automotive aftermarket brand owned by General Motors (GM), in the Indian market. The move follows a licensing and strategic partnership between the two companies.
Under the agreement, Assurance Intl will serve as the official licensee for ACDelco in India, managing the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of specific products. The initial range consists of automotive batteries and lubricants for passenger and commercial vehicles.
To support the relaunch, Assurance Intl has established production capabilities at its facilities in Hisar, Haryana. The site includes a battery manufacturing plant and a blending facility for engine oils and automotive fluids.
The company stated that local production is intended to manage pricing while adhering to the quality standards set by General Motors. Products will be supplied through a network encompassing distributors, retailers and workshops across India.
The partnership aims to address local market requirements while following GM’s global aftermarket strategy. The companies also intend to investigate the development of battery technologies and lubricants aligned with vehicle trends and sustainability.
Rakesh Sharma, MD, Assurance Intl, said, “This partnership is a natural synergy between ACDelco’s global legacy in automotive aftermarket solutions and Assurance Intl’s manufacturing expertise, quality experience and distribution capabilities in the Indian automotive sector.”
Mahesh Ravindran, Country Lead (India) - Commercial Operations of Chevrolet Sales India, added, “The relaunch of ACDelco automotive batteries and lubricants products in India through an official licensing arrangement is aligned with our global aftermarket brand strategy. Assurance Intl’s operational capabilities and understanding of local market requirements provide a strong platform for the ACDelco brand in the country.”
Uno Minda Launches Trumpet Horn Range For The Aftermarket Segment
- By MT Bureau
- March 09, 2026
Tier 1 automotive supplier Uno Minda has introduced a range of trumpet horns for the Indian aftermarket including, the passenger vehicles and the commercial vehicles segment.
The new products are designed to operate in diverse driving environments, catering to both individual vehicle owners and fleet operators. The range is built to resist heat, dust, moisture and vibration.
The collection includes models in the 80mm and 90mm diameter categories, ranging from standard to premium performance levels.
E80 12V Electronic Trumpet Horn: A premium model featuring an integrated electronic chip for consistent sound performance. It includes reverse polarity protection and a three-year warranty from the date of manufacture.
T80 12V Vertical Trumpet Horn: Available with or without a grill. The version with a grill is designed to be dust- and splash-resistant, while the version without focuses on far-reaching audibility in a compact form factor.
T90 24V Melody Trumpet Horn: A solution for commercial vehicles that replaces conventional pipe horns. It offers eight selectable tones to improve vehicle presence on highways and in high-traffic conditions.
T80 12V Universal Trumpet Horn: Constructed from ABS material, this model offers universal fitment for passenger and light commercial vehicles.
The horns are compatible with multiple vehicle platforms and feature plug-and-play installation. The range is available through offline retail outlets and online marketplaces, including Amazon and Flipkart. Prices range from an MRP of INR 800 to INR 3,400.
Anand Kumar, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Uno Minda, said, “Clear and effective on-road communication has become increasingly important with rising traffic congestion and varied driving environments. We have launched a new range of trumpet horns in the 80 & 90 dia category from performance to premium range, catering all major segments of vehicles. At the premium end of the product range, the E80 12V Electronic Trumpet Horn is capable of delivering a highly refined sound output and has a 3-year warranty from the manufacturing date, ensuring long service life. Equipped with an integrated electronic chip, it maintains consistent sound performance.”
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