By Lennard Kwek

Over the last century, the world population has more than quadrupled. [1] Most of this growth is centred around the Asia-Pacific region, which is estimated to drive 40 per cent of the world’s consumption of goods and services by 2040. [2] In the last 30 years alone, countries such as China and Vietnam have experienced rapid urbanisation, fuelling economic growth and opening doors to infrastructure and public services to address the needs of the ever-rising middle-class population.

As people move up the economic ladder, their desire to lead a more comfortable life has a significant impact on many industries, including the automotive sector. The region’s economic potential and growing appetite for luxury and environmentally friendly products have led to innovations in the areas of Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electric (CASE).

Vehicles, which play a huge role in the mobility of people and goods in this part of the world. And as critical components of automobiles, the tyre industry must keep pace with the changes brought about by CASE. The future of tyre will need to bring continued reliability, safety, and enhanced performance yet have the ability to integrate emerging technologies such as sensors, smart diagnostics and advanced safety systems. Such changes are also driving tire companies to innovate and develop diversified products and solutions as we move towards the concept of Mobilityas-a-Service (MaaS). 

EV tyres 
For instance, electric vehicles tend to be heavier due to the extra weight of the battery pack. Tyres for electric cars thus need to be structurally reinforced to withstand this increased load while maintaining low rolling resistance to maximise fuel efficiency. Conscious of consumer’s changing preferences and the associated environmental benefits of electric vehicles, Bridgestone specially designed custom-built tyres i.e. the ECOPIA ologic series for the BMW i3 electric vehicles. The tyres feature narrow tyre width to realise low rolling resistance and to reduce aero-dynamic resistance which are important factors in the improvement of a vehicle’s fuel efficiency and the reduction of carbon emissions.
 Another trend in the automotive industry that has influenced the design of tyre is the rise of “shared mobility” services, such as ride-sharing. In the last few years, we have witnessed the massive popularity of ride-sharing platforms, and this growth is only projected to increase. A recent report by Bizwit Research estimates that the ride-sharing industry will grow by more than 20% between the years 2019 to 2025 [3].

 Run-Flat Technology 
On this front, Bridgestone’s tyres are engineered to offer enhanced performance and durability as the road-life of the tyres need to withstand the high-frequency usage demand of these vehicles. Solutions such as the recently launched DriveGuard RunFlat Technology (RFT) enable drivers to remain in control and continue driving up to a maximum distance of 80 kilometres at a maximum speed of 80 kilometres per hour after a puncture or complete loss of pressure. In addition to this, Bridgestone’s automatic sealant technology called B-Seal also guarantees air retention when nails, stones or other objects are embedded at up to 5mm in diameter in the tyre tread. These tyre solutions focus on extending tyre endurance and mobility - ideal for vehicles used very frequently in the ride sharing scenario. The rise of IoT and AI technologies is also powering the evolution of connected and autonomous selfdriving vehicles. Selfdriving opens up a world of possibilities - from increased personal safety to time efficiency and mobility for non drivers. In Asia, China seems to be taking the lead in readying self-driving vehicles for production, expecting fully autonomous vehicles to account for 10 per cent of car sales by 2030.[4] This accelerating transformation towards autonomous operations has a significant impact on the tyre industry. Tyre manufacturers will need to work towards creating tyres that can communicate with these autonomous vehicles, involving the integration of advanced sensor technologies, smart diagnostics and data analytics. 
Having identified these needs at an early stage, Bridgestone is transforming its business operations to focus on solutions and integrating these technologies to meet the needs and expectations of the next generation of drivers. At its foundation is the newly introduced global mobility solutions strategy called Bridgestone Tires & Diversified Products as a Solution (Bridgestone T&DPaaS). The strategy is a combination of products, services such as Bridgestone’s Global Service Network and digital technologies.

Smart Strain Sensor
Under the digital techniques branch, Bridgestone has developed a new type of tyre sensor, called the Smart Strain Sensor. A first-of-its-kind, the Smart Strain Sensor technology incorporates Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to help measure the strain that occurs when a tire makes contact with the road while in motion. Furthermore, unlike accelerometer sensors, the Smart Strain Sensor can record data even at low speeds, which makes it an important differentiator for autonomous vehicles which are expected to operate at lower speeds for enhanced safety. Last year, Bridgestone also acquired TomTom Telematics, now renamed as Webfleet Solutions, which offers 
data-based solutions that make fleet operations more effective and efficient. Through this, Bridgestone gains valuable insights into vehicle and tire operating conditions from a user base of 860,000 vehicles communicating 200 million data points per day, thus accelerating its tire solutions offerings and paving the road towards autonomous driving. As the automotive industry continues to transform with the ongoing implementation of CASE, it is evident that tires will continue to play a key role in this revolution. However, in order to overcome the challenges and benefit from the opportunities arising from these trends, the tire industry will need to “reinvent the wheel” to stay on track and meet the evolving needs of the wider automotive industry. 

REF: [1] https://hbr.org/2016/04/globaldemand-for-food-is-rising-can-we-meetit
 [2] https://www.mckinsey.com/featuredinsights/asia-pacific/asias-future-is-now
 [3] https://www.reuters.com/ brandfeatures/venture-capital/ article?id=83120
[4] https://publicaffairsasia.com/drivinggrowth-the-mechanics-of-auto

Lennard Kwek is Head of Marketing at Bridgestone China & Asia Pacific.

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FALKEN has secured original equipment supply approval from Audi for its AZENIS FK520 summer tyre, which will be fitted to the premium brand’s flagship SUVs, the Q7 and Q9. Production begins in May 2026, with the tyres carrying the R0 designation to mark the Audi-specific fitment. The deal reinforces FALKEN’s standing in the premium original equipment market.

The AZENIS FK520 (R0) comes in three sizes covering 20- to 22-inch wheel diameters, with vehicles assembled at Audi’s Bratislava plant in Slovakia. Buyers can inspect the fitted tyres and their EU tyre label data through Audi’s vehicle configurator. The ultra-high-performance tyre is built for sporty road cars, offered in reinforced Extra Load versions across all sizes and rated to Y speed specifications for up to 300 kmph, targeting drivers focused on stability, precision and safety.

FALKEN’s original equipment record with premium marques spans many years and includes Audi, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. The AZENIS FK510A SUV gained Porsche Macan approval in 2018, and the AZENIS FK520 (NG0) followed in 2026 for the Porsche Cayenne Electric. Since 2011 the brand has maintained a motorsport presence, campaigning a Porsche 911 GT3 R in the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series and the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring.

Christian Stolting, OE Sales Director, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, said, “It is an important step for our original equipment business to fit the Q7 and Q9, two models of great importance to Audi, with the FALKEN AZENIS FK520 (R0) as a factory-fitted option. The choice of our tyres for these Audi models reflects confidence in the performance and quality of FALKEN in this segment.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has secured an original equipment supply deal with Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. for the automaker's new Fairlady Z, which reached the Japanese market in August 2026. Yokohama's ADVAN Sport V107 will be fitted in size 245/45R18 100W.

Belonging to Yokohama's flagship ADVAN range, the Sport V107 sits in the ultra-high-performance (UHP) segment aimed at premium vehicles. It is engineered to reconcile qualities that usually pull in opposite directions – combining confident dry and wet grip and stable steering with comfort and safety – and in this Fairlady Z application it pairs high-speed handling composure and quick steering response with a comfortable ride.

Nissan's new Fairlady Z carries forward its heritage-inspired design language alongside contemporary technology, and the model remains celebrated for its characteristic driving feel, with the refresh sharpening performance while honouring the nameplate's lineage. The fitment advances Yokohama Rubber's Yokohama Transformation 2026 medium-term plan covering 2024–2026, under which the consumer tyre business is working to lift the proportion of high-value-added tyres sold by winning original equipment contracts for its ADVAN range and its GEOLANDAR tyres for SUVs and pickup trucks.

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Hankook Tire is now supplying its ultra-ultra-high-performance (UUHP) Ventus S1 evo Z tyres as original equipment for the new Porsche Panamera, expanding a relationship that dates to 2021. The fitment lineup adds 21-inch sizes – 275/35 ZR21 at the front and 325/30 ZR21 at the rear – alongside the 19- and 20-inch dimensions previously supplied. Every size carries Porsche-specific ND0 homologation markings on the sidewall, completing the Ventus S1 evo Z range across 19 to 21 inches.

Engineered to balance ride comfort with dynamic driving performance for the Panamera, the tyre was validated beyond standard segment homologation tests. Hankook subjected it to maximum-speed testing at Germany's Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit to confirm structural robustness and its ability to meet high-performance sports driving demands.

The Ventus S1 evo Z incorporates an asymmetric tread pattern for exceptional handling and stable grip, with tread blocks engineered to maintain optimal stiffness under varying conditions. Three main grooves on the inner tread improve wet-road water drainage, while a larger outer tread block area enhances cornering performance and dry-road grip. A double-layer carcass reinforced with aramid hybrid fibres bolsters high-speed stability by minimising heat-induced deformation, helping preserve precise steering response. High-strength steel belts and beads, together with a reinforced sidewall structure, further sharpen straight-line stability and handling precision.

The tyre is currently supplied as original equipment to global premium automakers for high-performance vehicles. In the replacement market, it is offered in 15 sizes from 18 to 21 inches, with widths of 225 to 315 mm and aspect ratios of 30 to 45. In July 2026, the Ventus S1 evo Z was also selected as an OE fitment for Porsche's iconic 911 Carrera sports car.

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Continental has secured original-equipment approval for the fully electric Volvo EX60, with its EcoContact 7 S tyre line homologated across numerous countries worldwide. Approval covers the sporty summer tyre for the electric SUV. Two fitments were sanctioned: 235/55 R20 for the front axle and 255/50 R20 for the rear axle.

Both approved versions carry an integrated rim protector, a reinforced sidewall area that lowers the risk of rim damage from accidental curb contact. This protective feature strengthens the sidewall zone, guarding the wheel rim against unintended impacts during everyday driving situations.

A sporty summer tyre, the EcoContact 7 S targets low rolling resistance, high mileage and minimal rolling noise. Its optimised compound and construction cut energy consumption, and the sportier S variant of the EcoContact 7 also stresses wet grip and handling for a direct, responsive feel, bearing an EV-compatible sidewall logo identifying electric vehicle suitability.

A golf-inspired principle boosts efficiency: Aerodimples, tiny sidewall indentations mimicking a golf ball's surface, reduce air turbulence behind the tyres, so less energy keeps the vehicle moving. A specially tuned tread pattern also curbs rolling noise, especially at low urban speeds, cutting noise pollution for pedestrians and nearby residents.

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