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.

Michelin unveiled a new tyre that lasts 18 percent longer than its predecessor, aiming to capture growing demand for more sustainable automotive products amid stricter environmental regulations.

The Primacy 5, designed for passenger cars and SUVs, can travel an additional 7,000 kilometres compared to the previous model while maintaining safety standards on wet roads, the Clermont-Ferrand, France-based company said in a statement. The tyre also reduces environmental impact by six percent over its lifecycle, addressing mounting pressure on manufacturers to decrease their carbon footprint.

The launch comes as automakers shift toward electric vehicles, creating new challenges for tyre makers to handle heavier vehicle weights while minimizing road noise. Michelin’s new product improves energy efficiency by five percent compared to its Primacy 4+ model, according to testing by TÜV SÜD, an independent certification company.

“Developing a new tyre means overcoming multiple challenges,” the company said. The Primacy 5 features deeper tread channels for improved water evacuation and meets the European ‘A’ rating for wet-surface safety standards.

Michelin plans to roll out 64 sizes initially in Europe this month, expanding to 88 sizes globally by year-end. The company will begin sales in Asian markets in March 2025 and target 127 sizes available worldwide by mid-2026.

The tyre maker assessed environmental impact across five stages: development, manufacturing, transport, usage and end-of-life disposal, part of its broader “All Sustainable” strategy. External testing showed the new model improved wet braking performance by four percent when new compared to its predecessor.

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has begun supplying its ADVAN Sport EV tyres as original equipment for Chinese premium electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer NIO’s ONVO L60 SUV. The SUV will be fitted with 245/50R19 101V size tyres.

Based on Yokohama Rubber's ADVAN Sport V107 tyre for high-performance automobiles, the ADVAN Sport EV is an exceptionally high-performance summer tyre created to satisfy the demands of owners of EVs and other electric vehicles. Yokohama Rubber has attained a level of low power consumption and wet performance suitable for high-end EVs by utilising a compound that has been shown to decrease tyre rolling resistance and a tread design that improves drainage. Yokohama Rubber's exclusive ‘E+’ symbol is shown on the sidewall of the ADVAN Sport EV to signify that it possesses unique properties appropriate for EVs.

The ONVO L60 is a family-oriented mid-size smart electric SUV that was introduced in China in September 2024. Six essential components were prioritised throughout development: battery life, driving performance, safety, comfort, smart cockpit and intelligent driving. On a single charge, the higher-end versions may go more than 1,000 km.

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has started supplying its ADVAN Sport EV tyres for use as original equipment (OE) on the new Stelato S9, an electric vehicle (EV) developed jointly by leading Chinese telecommunications equipment manufacturer Huawei and Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group). The EV will be equipped with 245/45R20 103V size tyres.

The ADVAN Sport EV tyre is developed for high-end EV users based on Yokohama Rubber's ADVAN Sport V107 tyre. Yokohama Rubber has attained a level of low power consumption and quietness suitable for luxury EVs by employing a compound that has been shown to minimise tyre rolling resistance and adding a unique polyurethane foam dubbed SILENTFOAM to the inside of the tyre to reduce noise. Yokohama Rubber's exclusive ‘E+’ symbol is shown on the sidewall of the ADVAN Sport EV to signify that it possesses unique properties appropriate for electric vehicles.

The Stelato S9 was launched in China in August 2024. Combining state-of-the-art features like a sophisticated driver assistance system with an opulent cabin with a sizable central control panel, the Stelato S9 provides a sophisticated and pleasurable driving experience. Furthermore, the car's sleek body shape offers its exteriors a chic, contemporary look.

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., will be supplying its GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres as original equipment (OE) to the seventh generation Nissan Patrol. The SUV will be fitted with 275/60R20 115H size tyres.

With its emphasis on high-speed performance and manoeuvrability, GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres set a new benchmark for highway terrain tyres. Excellent driving stability, decreased weight, enhanced snow performance and quietness are all provided by carefully calibrated tread patterns and construction.

Aiming to increase the sales ratios of high-value tyres, Yokohama Rubber's consumer tyre division is part of its Yokohama Transformation 2026 (YX2026) medium-term management strategy, which runs from 2024 to 2026. Promoting the GEOLANDAR and ADVAN brands as original equipment for new SUVs and pickup trucks is one of the main projects under this approach.