India – 02nd August 2023
CEAT Limited, India’s leading tyre manufacturer, is proud to announce its title sponsorship of the extreme overland pioneers, Wander Beyond Boundaries (WBB), as they embark on a historic 22,000km overland drive from Mumbai, India to Magadan, traversing 5 countries and 6 time zones.
The flag-off ceremony was done by Arnab Banerjee, MD & CEO, CEAT Limited at RPG House, Mumbai for this unprecedented expedition.
The expedition, led by WBB Founder, Nidhi Salgame, an experienced extreme terrain driver, will see Indian vehicles equipped with CEAT tyres venturing into the Pole of Cold, the coldest inhabited place on Earth. This extraordinary journey will test the performance of the CEAT’s tyres in the most challenging of terrains and also the grit, resilience, and endurance of the team at a remarkable level. This expedition will also celebrate India’s manufacturing prowess and the indomitable spirit of Indians.
Lakshmi Narayanan B, Chief Marketing Officer, CEAT Limited, added, “CEAT believes in pushing the boundaries and this expedition provides us the opportunity to not only support this historic endeavour by Wander Beyond Boundaries but also to showcase the performance of CEAT tyres as the team will tackle challenging terrains while travelling 22500 kms from India to SIberia. This remarkable journey exemplifies our brand’s commitment to innovation, resilience, and exploration. It gave us immense pride to flag off this event from RPG House. As the team embarks on this epic 75-day adventure, they embody the indomitable spirit of CEAT. With great anticipation, I wish Nidhi Salgame and her team an unforgettable journey, as they carve their path through uncharted territories, leaving behind a legacy of courage and determination.”
Nidhi Salgame, Expedition Leader & Founder, Wander Beyond Boundaries said “Our association with CEAT goes back to WBB expeditions Zanskar & Beyond in Ladakh and Nagaland Offroad. Given the diversity of terrain – dirt track, rock, gravel, streams – the CEAT All-Terrain Tyres performed rather well and adapted brilliantly. It is indeed an honour and privilege to be embarking on Road to Siberia. An expedition that’s epic, historic and doubly thrilling for me especially because this time, we’re an all-Indian team, in Indian vehicles on Indian tyres! Tyres are to vehicles what feet are to man. They make the journey possible. I’m confident that the CEAT CrosssDrive All-Terrain tyres will prove their mettle when we hit the mountain tracts of Nepal and Tibet. We switch to specialised Winter tyres at Magadan as we’ll encounter ice, snow and permafrost roads in Siberia. Thank you CEAT for believing in WBB and supporting this landmark expedition.”
CEAT tyres have built a strong reputation for unparalleled performance and reliability in the automotive industry. Leveraging cutting-edge technology and a deep understanding of diverse road conditions, CEAT tyres consistently deliver exceptional results to drivers worldwide. Whether navigating challenging terrains, enduring diverse weather conditions, or providing superior traction and control, CEAT tyres demonstrate unwavering performance across all parameters. Rigorously tested for durability and safety, they offer a smooth and comfortable ride, instilling drivers with the utmost confidence in every journey. With a legacy of innovation and a steadfast commitment to quality, CEAT tyres continue to raise the bar in the automotive sector, providing drivers with a seamless and satisfying driving experience they can rely on.
The diverse team of 8 professionals from Bangalore, Hubli, Hyderabad, and Pune, including driving enthusiasts from varied backgrounds such as doctors, interior decorators, and an organic farmer, share a common love for the road and the idea of exploration. This journey is not just about crossing geographical boundaries but also about self-discovery and shaping their own lens to life.
The expedition will follow a thrilling route starting from Mumbai, entering Nepal through the land border at Sanauli, reaching Kathmandu, and then moving on to Tibet. Stops include the iconic Everest Base Camp and the ancient Chinese city of Pingyao, among others, before reaching Beijing. From there, they will venture into Mongolia’s challenging offroad tracks before entering Southern Siberia. The team will cross the world’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Baikal, on the Trans-Siberian route and continue east to Yakutsk in the Sakha Republic. The journey will then take them through the notorious Road of Bones, leading to Magadan, with a detour to Oymyakon, known as the Pole of Cold, the coldest inhabited place on Earth. The vehicles will finally be shipped back to India from Vladivostok.
This groundbreaking expedition is not only a test of human endurance and engineering but also a testament to India’s capability to conquer extreme terrain and weather. The Indian crew, driving Indian-manufactured vehicles with CEAT tyres, will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the world stage, further enhancing India’s global reputation.
Follow their journey of ten weeks and get live updates on CEAT’s social media pages. #CEATWBBExpedition.
