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)
Uno Minda Launches Portable EV Wall Charger At INR 32,514
- By MT Bureau
- November 26, 2025
Tier 1 automotive supplier Uno Minda has launched a Portable Car Electric Vehicle Wall Charger designed for home charging. The Uno Minda Car EV Wall Charger will be available across retail outlets and online platforms, including Amazon, Flipkart and Unomindakart. The device has an MRP of INR 50,000 and a launch price of INR 32,514, backed by a one-year warranty.
The new charger delivers a 3.3 kW fast-charging output and is IP65-rated waterproof & dustproof design, which allows customers to charge their EVs in any weather conditions, including rain and heat.
Key specifications includes universal compatibility with all Type 2 connector EVs, a smart LED display that provides real-time charging updates and error alerts. Is lightweight and comes with a durable carry case, making it suitable for daily charging, road trips and emergency use. It is equipped with multiple protections against overvoltage, overcurrent and short-circuiting.
Karna Markan, Head – Sales & Distribution (Accessories), Uno Minda, said, “The adoption of electric vehicles in India is accelerating at a remarkable pace, and with this transition comes the urgent requirement for charging solutions that are not only accessible but also safe and dependable. Many EV users today face challenges related to convenience, reliability, and portability when it comes to charging, and our new Uno Minda Car EV Wall Charger directly addresses these concerns. Designed with consumer needs at the core, it combines compactness, durability, and advanced safety features with universal compatibility, making it an ideal choice for diverse EV owners. Whether for everyday home use, long road trips, or emergency charging situations, this portable wall charger delivers a seamless experience, ensuring peace of mind and confidence every time you charge your vehicle.”
Autorox And Bosch Partner To Digitise Global Vehicle Repair
- By MT Bureau
- November 26, 2025
Autorox and Bosch Mobility Platform and Solutions have announced a global strategic collaboration aimed at transforming the management and scaling of vehicle repair and maintenance operations worldwide.
Under the partnership, Bosch Mobility Platform and Solutions will serve as the exclusive global distributor for Autorox and Autozilla.
Founded by Vijay Gummadi, these two platforms focus on garage management and B2B parts commerce.
The collaboration seeks to digitally enable over 25,000 repairers and spare parts sellers to collectively deliver over 100 million vehicle services per year by 2030.
The initiative addresses the inefficiency and fragmentation in the global vehicle repair and maintenance ecosystem. In India alone, the passenger car service sector includes over 100,000 independent garages, which this partnership aims to formalise and digitise.
Vijay Gummadi, Founder & CEO, Autorox, said, “Great products and great distribution - that’s the formula for lasting success. Bosch brings unmatched global credibility and reach, while Autorox brings deep product and domain expertise in how modern workshops run. Together, we’re reimagining the future of vehicle repair - from manual, fragmented systems to intelligent, connected operations.”
As per the understanding, Bosch will provide structure, credibility and scale using its global network and standards. Autorox will provide the digital backbone, connecting repair shops, parts sellers, insurers and fleets. This covers intelligent job scheduling, procurement, connected customer experiences and predictive analytics.
Pradeep Ramachandra, CTO, Bosch - Mobility Platform & Solutions, said, “Bosch has long championed innovation that simplifies mobility. Through this collaboration with Autorox and Autozilla, we aim to digitise and connect the global workshop ecosystem, improving service efficiency and transparency. By combining Bosch’s enterprise presence with Autorox’s modern technology, we are addressing a challenge that has remained unsolved for decades.”
The partnership will expand into North America, Europe, and other global markets in phases, building on the platforms' success in India and the Middle East. The collaboration will also leverage Bosch’s existing work with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to ensure enterprise-grade scalability and security.
VDO Brand Makes Independent Aftermarket Return Under AUMOVIO
- By MT Bureau
- November 20, 2025
Following its successful transition into the newly established AUMOVIO entity, the venerable VDO brand is marking a significant return to the independent automotive aftermarket. Beginning in December 2025, the comprehensive portfolio of electronics and mechatronics, previously marketed under the Continental brand since 2020, will be progressively reintroduced under the distinguished VDO brand. This extensive range includes critical components such as fuel systems, various engine management and tyre pressure monitoring sensors, engine control units, common rail diesel systems and turbochargers. The brand's commitment to innovation will be further demonstrated in 2026 with the inaugural introduction of sensors and cameras for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
This strategic brand transition is designed to be seamless for customers, with no impact on the availability, performance or renowned premium quality of existing and future products. Under the AUMOVIO umbrella, VDO will be strategically aligned with the premium brake brand ATE. This partnership will allow both brands to leverage a unified service infrastructure, which includes a dedicated technical hotline and a suite of certified training programmes for workshop professionals. According to company leadership, VDO is the ideal brand to spearhead the future of their electronic and mechatronic spare parts business, as it embodies original equipment manufacturer quality, safety and deep expertise in both contemporary and emerging automotive technologies.
The foundation for this future growth is a recently expanded product catalogue, which grew by approximately 50 percent, or 700 new parts, during the corporate spin-off. Building on this solid base, AUMOVIO Aftermarket has outlined ambitious plans for further portfolio extension in 2026. A key strategic move will be the establishment of ADAS products as a distinct new product group for VDO. This expansion will see the gradual introduction of sophisticated components like smart multifunction and surround-view cameras, alongside front and blind spot detection radars, directly addressing the evolving needs of the modern vehicle fleet.
Recognising that workshops today face complex challenges that extend beyond traditional repairs, VDO and ATE are combining their service expertise to offer holistic support. This collaborative approach provides workshops with practical assistance through a bundled offering of services. These include not only technical support but also comprehensive training on high-voltage systems for electric vehicles and business management, digital online courses and various partner loyalty programmes. This initiative reflects a deep commitment to a customer-centric model that aims to provide workshops with unparalleled, forward-looking support. The VDO brand, with a heritage of nearly a century in commercial vehicles and original equipment manufacturing, is thus powerfully positioned to channel its vast technological know-how into creating solution-oriented products and services for the independent aftermarket.
Euler Motors Launches Prime: Real-Time EV Assistance Rolled Out Across 45 Cities
- By MT Bureau
- November 19, 2025
Euler Motors, an electric vehicle OEM has announced the launch of Euler Prime – an on-the-spot support solution aimed at maximising uptime for its commercial EV customers across 45 Indian cities. The initiative is designed to address a key pain point in last-mile electric mobility: vehicle breakdowns and associated business disruption.
Prime introduces rapid-response teams deployed by bikes and vans to deliver on-site repairs or assistance, promising arrival in as little as 90 minutes within urban areas. For breakdowns outside city limits and on highways, resolution times are projected within four to five hours, subject to distance and logistics.
The launch will begin in Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Lucknow, Kanpur, and Patna, with plans for expansion to more cities. The annual maintenance contract and paid support options offer flexibility for both new and existing customers.
A central pillar of Euler Prime is 'Shepherd,' the company’s proprietary vehicle intelligence and telematics platform. Shepherd combines live diagnostics, remote monitoring, and predictive maintenance, serving as a digital backbone for rapid interventions. The platform is designed to detect potential faults before breakdowns occur, facilitating informed and data-driven service dispatch.
“By combining on-ground rapid response with the intelligence of our Telematics—Shepherd platform, we are ensuring that vehicle uptime is maximised and disruptions are minimised,” said Ashish Tandon, Global Head of Customer Excellence, Euler Motors. The backend enables real-time connectivity between vehicles, service teams and operations, centralising data to accelerate incident resolution.
Euler’s new solution is positioned as more than just a roadside assistance benefit; it is an ecosystem play intended to integrate product, service, and operational assurance. Prime teams are staffed by trained personnel to provide not only repairs but comprehensive support for breakdown incidents, aiming to convert service into an enabler of productivity and profitability.
The company calls Prime ‘a pre-emptive, real-time support solution.’ By delivering mobile response capability, Euler is addressing challenges faced by commercial EV fleets operating in dense urban zones as well as in less-served highway corridors.
Support is automatically included for annual contract holders, while existing owners can enroll on a paid basis. The target is clear: to deliver timely interventions that counteract the risks of business interruption and help fleet operators retain confidence in electric mobility as an everyday solution.
The latest launch underscores a larger strategy: EV ownership must be supported by responsive systems that deliver convenience and reliability. Euler’s statement, “We shall never leave you on the road, alone,” spotlights this commitment to customer reassurance.
The deployment of Prime across urban and peri-urban centres may influence competing OEMs to strengthen real-time support and telematics integration. For the evolving EV ecosystem in India, services that prioritise uptime, predictive maintenance, and seamless user experience will likely define customer retention as the sector matures.
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