Latest news with #SamirGupta
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Toronto suffers world's worst air quality as Canada's second-worst wildfire season chokes nation
Toronto is bracing for another summer of dangerous air quality as wildfires continue to rage across northern Ontario, the Prairies, and Western Canada, with doctors warning that the health effects of wildfire smoke are more serious and more widespread than many realize. The worst air quality Toronto recorded the worst air quality in the world in early June, according to global air tracker IQAir, as smoke from more than 183 active wildfires in Ontario drifted south into the city. It's a dramatic increase from the 100 wildfires recorded in the province at this time last year, and experts say it's a troubling sign of what lies ahead. 'We're already seeing much higher than our 10-year average,' said Dr. Samir Gupta, a respirologist and associate professor at the University of Toronto. 'It does look like we are in for a tough season.' Canada's second-worst fire According to federal data, the 2025 wildfire season has already burned 3.7 million hectares of land, an area six times larger than Prince Edward Island, making it Canada's second-worst fire year on record, behind only 2023. Live Events The resulting smoke has triggered air quality alerts in five provinces and one territory, and it's not staying contained within Canadian borders. Smoke from Canadian fires drifted over parts of the continental US in early June, from Kansas City to Minneapolis. High chances of health risks Though Toronto residents are far from the flames, Dr. Gupta says the health risks are very real. 'We see increased emergency room visits for things like asthma, COPD flare-ups, and even heart attacks and strokes,' he explained. 'These particles are so small they enter the bloodstream through the lungs and start affecting the heart and other organs.' Even short-term exposure to wildfire smoke can cause headaches, coughing, eye irritation, dizziness, and in severe cases, chest pain or difficulty breathing. Gupta added that vulnerable populations, including seniors, pregnant individuals, people with chronic illness, and children, are at the greatest risk. However, even healthy individuals should be cautious. 'When I see an AQHI [Air Quality Health Index] over 7, I won't go for a run outside. I'll exercise indoors,' Gupta said. 'When you're running, you breathe in twice as much pollution. It really can take a toll.' On smoky days, experts advise staying indoors, using HEPA air purifiers, and if you must go outside, wearing a fitted N95 mask to filter out fine particulate matter. This summer's conditions are expected to worsen, with The Weather Network forecasting a hotter and drier climate around the Ontario–Manitoba border, resulting in more wildfire outbreaks and smoke movement. 'The effects aren't always visible, but they're happening,' Dr. Gupta said. 'You may not feel it, but the smoke is doing the damage.'
Time of India
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Continental to scale up passenger vehicle tyre biz to meet evolving consumer demand
Tyre maker Continental is looking to expand its passenger vehicle and light truck tyres business in India, as it aims to focus on products catering to the robustly growing utility vehicle segment , according to a top company official. The company expects strong growth potential in larger-inch and ultra-high-performance tyres designed for SUVs, 4x4s, and sporty vehicles, aligning seamlessly with current market trends. The tyre maker has lined up a ₹100 crore investment to expand production capacity at its Modipuram plant in Uttar Pradesh by 'double digits' and to roll out bigger tyres for utility vehicles, which now account for over 60 per cent of the overall annual domestic passenger vehicle segment in India. In an interaction with PTI, Continental Tires India MD Samir Gupta said that with the earmarked capital, the company aims to enhance its overall capabilities to align its portfolio to reflect the evolving lifestyle needs of Indian drivers. "Currently, we can produce up to 20-inch tyres at the plant, but with this new investment, we would be able to produce up to 23-inch tyres," he noted. "I guess the future lies in the UV-SUV segment...I believe the future lies there. We want to emphasise this entire investment in that direction," he added. Gupta noted that the company's shift in the country towards the passenger vehicle segment reflects the changing needs of Indian consumers. "Currently, consumers are using cars for commuting and long drives because of the infrastructure boost, without compromising on their safety and comfort, for sure, so, that will remain our focus in terms of our product," he stated. Secondly, there is a strong growth in utility vehicles and luxury cars, which means the market is moving towards more premium vehicle segments, and that will remain the company's focus, Gupta added. He said Continental is growing faster than the market. "Passenger vehicle tyre market is almost flat and may be growing at 2-3 per cent on an average. However, we are growing in double we would like to keep this momentum going forward." On the company's exit from the truck and bus radial tyre business in India, Gupta said that after evaluating, the tyre maker figured out that it is a highly price-conscious business coupled with intense competition coming from domestic players, which makes it so difficult to realise the right price for the product. "We had the best products in the industry, which are highly appreciated by our customers and the fleet owners. Our customers have given feedback that our products are performing up to 20 per cent better than the competition. However, when it comes to the willingness to pay in the commercial segment, it's not there," he added. These are a few factors that actually enabled the decision to exit this business, Gupta said.
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Continental looks to scale up PV biz to align with evolving customer needs
Tyre maker Continental is looking to expand its passenger vehicle and light truck tyres business in India, as it aims to focus on products catering to the robustly growing utility vehicle segment, according to a top company official. The company expects strong growth potential in larger-inch and ultra-high-performance tyres designed for SUVs, 4x4s, and sporty vehicles, aligning seamlessly with current market trends. The tyre maker has lined up a Rs 100 crore investment to expand production capacity at its Modipuram plant in Uttar Pradesh by 'double digits' and to roll out bigger tyres for utility vehicles, which now account for over 60 per cent of the overall annual domestic passenger vehicle segment in India. In an interaction with PTI, Continental Tires India MD Samir Gupta said that with the earmarked capital, the company aims to enhance its overall capabilities to align its portfolio to reflect the evolving lifestyle needs of Indian drivers. "Currently, we can produce up to 20-inch tyres at the plant, but with this new investment, we would be able to produce up to 23-inch tyres," he noted. "I guess the future lies in the UV-SUV segment...I believe the future lies there. We want to emphasise this entire investment in that direction," he added. Gupta noted that the company's shift in the country towards the passenger vehicle segment reflects the changing needs of Indian consumers. "Currently, consumers are using cars for commuting and long drives because of the infrastructure boost, without compromising on their safety and comfort, for sure, so, that will remain our focus in terms of our product," he stated. Secondly, there is a strong growth in utility vehicles and luxury cars, which means the market is moving towards more premium vehicle segments, and that will remain the company's focus, Gupta added. He said Continental is growing faster than the market. "Passenger vehicle tyre market is almost flat and may be growing at 2-3 per cent on an average. However, we are growing in double we would like to keep this momentum going forward." On the company's exit from the truck and bus radial tyre business in India, Gupta said that after evaluating, the tyre maker figured out that it is a highly price-conscious business coupled with intense competition coming from domestic players, which makes it so difficult to realise the right price for the product. "We had the best products in the industry, which are highly appreciated by our customers and the fleet owners. Our customers have given feedback that our products are performing up to 20 per cent better than the competition. However, when it comes to the willingness to pay in the commercial segment, it's not there," he added. These are a few factors that actually enabled the decision to exit this business, Gupta said.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Continental looks to scale up PV biz to align with evolving customer needs
Tyre maker Continental is looking to expand its passenger vehicle and light truck tyres business in India, as it aims to focus on products catering to the robustly growing utility vehicle segment , according to a top company official. The company expects strong growth potential in larger-inch and ultra-high-performance tyres designed for SUVs, 4x4s, and sporty vehicles, aligning seamlessly with current market trends. The tyre maker has lined up a Rs 100 crore investment to expand production capacity at its Modipuram plant in Uttar Pradesh by 'double digits' and to roll out bigger tyres for utility vehicles, which now account for over 60 per cent of the overall annual domestic passenger vehicle segment in India. In an interaction with PTI, Continental Tires India MD Samir Gupta said that with the earmarked capital, the company aims to enhance its overall capabilities to align its portfolio to reflect the evolving lifestyle needs of Indian drivers. "Currently, we can produce up to 20-inch tyres at the plant, but with this new investment, we would be able to produce up to 23-inch tyres," he noted. Live Events "I guess the future lies in the UV-SUV segment...I believe the future lies there. We want to emphasise this entire investment in that direction," he added. Gupta noted that the company's shift in the country towards the passenger vehicle segment reflects the changing needs of Indian consumers. "Currently, consumers are using cars for commuting and long drives because of the infrastructure boost, without compromising on their safety and comfort, for sure, so, that will remain our focus in terms of our product," he stated. Secondly, there is a strong growth in utility vehicles and luxury cars, which means the market is moving towards more premium vehicle segments, and that will remain the company's focus, Gupta added. He said Continental is growing faster than the market. "Passenger vehicle tyre market is almost flat and may be growing at 2-3 per cent on an average. However, we are growing in double we would like to keep this momentum going forward." On the company's exit from the truck and bus radial tyre business in India, Gupta said that after evaluating, the tyre maker figured out that it is a highly price-conscious business coupled with intense competition coming from domestic players, which makes it so difficult to realise the right price for the product. "We had the best products in the industry, which are highly appreciated by our customers and the fleet owners. Our customers have given feedback that our products are performing up to 20 per cent better than the competition. However, when it comes to the willingness to pay in the commercial segment, it's not there," he added. These are a few factors that actually enabled the decision to exit this business, Gupta said.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Continental Tires aligns India strategy with SUV market shift
Amid the rising SUV and premium car sales in the country due to shift in consumer preferences, the market for large tyres is also growing. To capitalise on this demand, Continental Tires has recently announced plans to invest approximately ₹100 crore (€10.5 million) in India to expand its manufacturing capabilities and product portfolio. 'Currently, we can produce up to 20-inch tyres. With this investment, we aim to build capability for up to 23-inch sizes,' said Samir Gupta, MD, Continental Tires India , in conversation with ETAuto. The fresh ₹100 crore investment will be rolled out in phases over the next 18 to 24 months. 'The funds will be used to install new machinery and tooling at the plant. We are focusing on increasing capacity and improving our ability to meet rising demand for larger tyre sizes,' Gupta added. The move comes in line with the company's sharpening focus on ultra high performance (UHP) tyres. 'While the overall industry is growing modestly, this segment is expanding at over 20 per cent CAGR,' Gupta said. The Hanover-headquartered firm currently holds a single-digit share of the Indian tyre market, which is dominated by players like MRF, Apollo Tyres, JK Tyre, and Ceat. 'We are the youngest player in the Indian tyre industry,' Gupta noted. Continental also shared that all its tyres are now EV-compatible. However, the Modipuram plant, which has been serving only the domestic market, will continue to do so with no current plans for exports. In April, ETAuto reported how Ceat is also shifting to dual-compatible tyres for EVs and ICE cars . Earlier this month, the company announced it would discontinue its Truck and Bus Radial (TBR) tyre manufacturing operations as part of efforts to ensure the long-term viability of its India business. This includes shutting down the dedicated TBR production line at its Modipuram facility in Uttar Pradesh. The decision follows persistent challenges in the segment, primarily stemming from intense price sensitivity. Demand rebound The Indian tyre industry, which peaked in 2021 due to post-COVID demand, is poised for a better 2025 compared to 2024, according to Gupta. In 2024, the Indian tyre market was valued at $12.84 billion, and is projected to reach $29.16 billion in 2030, according to Wright Research. A key reason for recent sluggish growth was delayed tyre replacements from 2020–21, as consumers typically stretch tyre use to four years. With that cycle now maturing, he expects a demand rebound, especially in the replacement market, by the second half of 2025. Citing strong GDP growth, captive consumption, and infrastructure push, he has projected the overall tyre market could potentially double revenues over the next 5-6 years. Last year, Continental introduced its UltraContact NXT series in India. At this year's Bharat Mobility Global Expo, the company followed up with the launch of its Seal and Silent tyre range, aimed at enhancing safety and cabin comfort. In August last year, the Faridabad-based company also inaugurated an IT hub in Bengaluru, which is an extension of its Asia Pacific IT operations based in Malaysia. According to Gupta, the company is 'significantly' scaling up its headcount at the facility, which focuses on delivering IT solutions across manufacturing, R&D, and supply chain functions. The hub claims to support Continental's global operations, providing services to other markets beyond India.
