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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NEXEN TIRE, a major global tyre manufacturer, is now providing original equipment tyres for KG Mobility's Musso pickup truck, reinforcing its strategic expansion into the large SUV and light truck segments. The company is supplying two specific models, the N’PRIZ RH7 and the ROADIAN HTX RH5, each engineered to address the unique and demanding requirements of pickup truck performance across various terrains.

These tyres are designed to support the Musso’s capacity for heavy payloads, exceeding 700 kg, and to endure challenging driving conditions while maintaining structural integrity and consistent stability. The N’PRIZ RH7, offered in 18- and 20-inch sizes for higher vehicle trims, focuses on confident wet-weather driving. Its pattern utilises four wide circumferential grooves to efficiently channel water away and resist hydroplaning, while its block design carefully balances road noise, fuel economy and responsive handling. This model has a proven history, having also been selected for the Rexton Sports line.

Complementing this, the 17-inch ROADIAN HTX RH5 caters to base trim specifications, prioritising durability and comfort for long-haul and load-bearing use. Its construction includes a widened shoulder and sidewall to better manage heat buildup and enhance tyre longevity. The tread pattern and three-dimensional architecture are specifically tuned to deliver reliable performance suited to regional road and weather conditions. This OE supply for the Musso joins NEXEN TIRE’s growing portfolio, which includes fitments for vehicles like the Kia Tasman, Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator, and is supported by a dedicated global lineup of SUV and pickup tyre products such as the ROADIAN HTX and ATX series.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “For pickup trucks like the Musso, tyre performance is particularly important due to the payload requirements and diverse driving environments. By developing OE tyres tailored to specific vehicle characteristics, we will continue to expand our collaborations with automakers in the multipurpose vehicle segment, which includes pickup trucks and SUVs.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has initiated supply of its GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres for Toyota Motor Corporation’s bZ, the 2026 model year North American version of Toyota’s bZ4X battery electric SUV, which launched in October 2025. The specified tyre size for this application is 235/50R20 100V. Concurrently, for the updated bZ4X model in Japan, the company remains the supplier, providing its ADVAN V61 tyre in size 235/60R18 103H as it did for the prior version.

The GEOLANDAR X-CV is engineered as a modern highway terrain tyre with M+S certification, prioritising responsive drivability and high-speed capability. Its design seeks an integrated balance of safety, comfort, durability and fuel efficiency. Tailored for electrified vehicles, these tyres bear Yokohama’s proprietary ‘E+’ sidewall engraving, signifying enhanced attributes in durability, quietness and energy conservation. This development was facilitated by the company’s HAICoLab framework, an AI-driven platform that combines human creativity with advanced data processing to accelerate digital innovation.

This selection by Toyota extends a growing partnership, as the GEOLANDAR X-CV has recently been fitted as original equipment on several other Toyota models, including the Land Cruiser 250, Grand Highlander and Tundra. This alignment supports Yokohama Rubber’s strategic goals under its medium-term management plan, Yokohama Transformation 2026. A central pillar of this plan is elevating the sales proportion of high-value-added tyres by aggressively promoting original equipment fitments for its premier ADVAN and GEOLANDAR brands globally, particularly for SUVs and pickup trucks.

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The new Volkswagen Tiguan will be outfitted with advanced Falken all-season and winter tyres. These models include the Falken EUROALL SEASON AS220 in size 215/65R17, as well as the EUROALL SEASON AS220 PRO and the winter-specific EUROWINTER HS02 PRO, both in size 235/55R18. Designed to meet rigorous dynamic standards, tyres bearing the ‘PRO’ designation are engineered for performance, with approval for speeds reaching 270 kmph. The winter PRO variant is offered in 87 configurations, while the all-season PRO version comes in 45 different sizes, accommodating a wide range of rim diameters and series profiles.

A key innovation across these tyres is the application of 4D NANO Design technology. This contributes to enhanced safety through better wet grip, improved fuel economy and increased tread longevity. Furthermore, an aerodynamically optimised sidewall with a nano-black finish provides a contemporary aesthetic.

The specific tread designs are tailored to performance categories. The standard EUROALL SEASON AS220 utilises a directional, symmetrical pattern suited for high-performance use. Its PRO counterpart features an optimised asymmetrical pattern, targeting balanced, ultra-high-performance capability in diverse conditions. This focus on versatile all-weather tyres reflects growing consumer demand, as they merge the benefits of summer and winter compounds. They deliver consistent traction on dry pavement, in rain and in light wintry conditions, presenting a practical solution for urban drivers or those in areas with moderate winters.

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Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. said it has begun supplying its BluEarth-Es ES32 tyres as original equipment to Suzuki Motor Corporation for the Wagon R mini-vehicle, following the model’s launch in Japan in December 2025 after a minor update.

The Wagon R is fitted with 165/55R15 75V tyres.

BluEarth-Es ES32 is a standard tyre under the BluEarth YOKOHAMA global tyre brand, developed around the concept of being “environmentally, human, and socially friendly”. The tyre combines fuel efficiency with extended service life by reducing uneven wear. For the Wagon R, Yokohama Rubber said the tyres use tread patterns and compounds designed to deliver both lower rolling resistance and improved wear resistance.

Suzuki’s updated Wagon R incorporates additional safety features, including the Dual Sensor Brake Support II collision-mitigation braking system. The vehicle is also designed to offer a quiet and comfortable ride, stable steering and a refined exterior.

Yokohama Rubber said it continues to develop tyres using its BluEarth technology, with a growing number of these products being factory-fitted on petrol-powered vehicles, hybrid models and electric vehicles across a range of segments.

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