Tyre Trends December 2025 /January 2026

Retread, Retail, Reinvented Retreading sits at the crossroads of economics, safety and sustainability – and today, it is no longer just a cost-saving alternative but a strategic pillar of the circular economy. As highlighted across this issue, the industry is undergoing a profound shift: fleets, dealers and retreaders now operate as an interdependent trio whose success hinges on data-driven maintenance, high-quality casings and stronger governance frameworks. At the same time, global case studies reveal that circularity in tyres depends less on good intentions and more on enforcement, alignment of incentives and industrial continuity. Technology, investment and perception are also reshaping the sector. Companies are proving that advanced processes, digital tools and sustainability-driven strategies can redefine retreading’s image, placing it firmly within modern fleet management and national climate goals. Yet challenges persist – from cheap imports and volatile input costs to lingering misconceptions reinforced by years of low-cost tyre marketing. This issue brings these perspectives together, examining how retreading is being reborn as a critical, future-ready solution – and why its next chapter depends on collaboration, policy coherence and a renewed commitment to quality across the value chain. India’s tyre retail business is undergoing one of the most dramatic reinventions in its history. What was once a transactional, price-driven trade – anchored in handwritten ledgers, personal networks and cluttered workshops – is fast evolving into a technology-led, design-forward and service-centric ecosystem. From legacy dealerships embracing CRM systems, AI tools and data-driven fleet solutions to large manufacturers rolling out premium, digitally immersive experience centres across the country, the sector is redefining how tyres are bought, sold and understood. Sharper customer expectations, the rise of premium vehicles, direct-to-fleet competition and the growing demand for transparency and personalised mobility advice are shaping this transformation. As dealers shift from being mere product sellers to solution providers – and as brands invest in ambience, storytelling and digital interaction – the tyre retail landscape is steadily becoming a modern mobility marketplace where trust, technology and experience determine success.