Michelin India Technology Centre has been operating for over five years. Could you highlight how the centre has been playing its role in research and development for Michelin's domestic and international markets?

The centre has grown over the years in terms of developing competencies and delivering products and solutions to businesses in the local market, region and globally. The agility and flexibility in delivery of solutions to sustainable mobility is one of our key strengths. The product solutions that are developed in conjunction with other regional teams have the cutting edge, keeping Michelin ahead of the curve. The gender and domain diverse team at the centre has brought unique dimensions to meet customer aspirations specific to different vehicle platforms. There are forward looking concepts and products that are being developed in different life cycle stages by the team in India that have upgraded their skills due to their world class training. Our teams are also exposed to global norms and developments in mature markets, thus enabling them to bring in such perspectives while developing products in the domestic market. 

What will drive the Indian truck and bus tyre market in future?

This is very interesting and all of us have seen a reset of a new normal due to Covid-19 in ways we are conducting the different facets of our businesses. The Indian market is smart, agile and ahead in their thought process compared to some of the other markets. The digital solutions, smarts, AI and services will drive the Indian truck and bus tyre market. Customers, whether they own transportation fleets or personal vehicles, want the worry-free ‘fit and forget’ tyre solutions. At Michelin, we have many such services, charging cost per kilometre to customers, which have been deployed in mature markets as well as in India, allowing our customers to focus on other aspects of their business models or personal routines.

The other driving factor will be ‘smarts’ in the tyre industry. The embedded chips in tyres for V2X interfaces are a huge opportunity for the mobility ecosystem with a vast application playfield that includes monitoring tear wear, tyre rotation periods, driver behaviour, inputs fed to active integrated suspensions for ride comfort, adjusting speed depending on terrain for safety and ergonomics of driver comfort as well as cargo movement.

Advanced materials will change the game with growing percentages of recycled rubber in tyre design and manufacturing. These will be an enabler in reducing carbon footprint of a vehicle and the holistic ecosystem including tyre dust. Faster curing materials, self-sealing tyres are around the corner in India. There are pilots and that will be the real ‘aah-ha’ moment for the industry and consumers. 

The centre also has a material testing lab. Sustainable raw materials are growing focus of tyre companies. What are the activities of the centre in the material testing space?

Materials, we believe, will be the strategic edge of our products and solutions as mentioned earlier. The centre does leverage material testing, monitoring various aspects of product development. The automation of test data for faster evaluation and upstream design actions is an important aspect with regard to speed to market. This is something that our teams are good at creatively innovating at the centre and the lab downstream.  

How do you distinguish the product requirements for developed and developing countries?

It is not the product but the solutions and services that are adapted for different regions. This is decided based on local regulations and norms, and the ecosystem and the infrastructure available there to support it. Product development also considers the tech savviness in the totem poles of the customers. The smartness in deploying the right solutions at the right price, at the right time will continue to be a distinguishing and winning factor for us across the globe.

MITC joined hands with IIT Bombay and ARAI. According to you, how will the new mobility shape in India, and how are you preparing, through R&D work, to offer the customised products in India?

This is one amazing aspect of India that we believe can be leveraged to the advantage of the Indian ecosystem. The Indian competitiveness for delivering ‘more customer value with lesser resources’ will help Michelin progress with these engagements. We will have students exposed to mature markets, working with global academia and experienced Michelin engineers to straight-on take the lead in their careers and solution mindset. We are confident that these and such partnerships are the diving boards to our collective growth. To use the cricket analogies, we are here to play well, in both the T20 and the test matches, and we are building teams that can switch on and off the pace between such situations due to their exposure, mentoring and talent acceleration.    

Will you be open to more partnerships in India?

The power of Collective Intelligence is second to none when it comes to delivering smarts to our customers through such valuable partnerships. The centre is already working with few of the academic institutions in India and is in discussions with the right-minded players that are on the same page. We have a clear understanding of ‘where to play’ as it forms our evaluation matrix when we are exploring start-ups, incubation parks and innovation accelerators. We will continue this journey as it helps with the step-change in the Indian ecosystem on many aspects of mobility and related solutions that are beneficial to all stakeholders.

According to you, what are the more significant challenges for scientists and engineers in the tyre industry?

Challenges are to find, train and retain individuals with the right kind of skill-sets. The gestation period to train and get an engineer to deliver high quality smart solutions requires patience and commitment. The more experienced scientists and engineers are at cross roads to delegate to the pipeline of talent that graduates out of our engineering institutions in their early professional journey. The infra and technical power needs to grow in India since the AI solutions and digitalisation can be catapulted very well in an existing innovation mindset for deployment. The race to get to the senior positions without developing a depth in domains is a challenge and not sustainable for growth in the long term. Talent in AI and data analytics tied to tyre and mobility domains is growing, but this talent is enticed by other non-mobility industries, creating a churn and dampening the speed to market and ability to provide attractive solutions and products to our customers. (TT)

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A landmark supply agreement was formalised at the PIF Private Sector Forum 2026 in Riyadh to advance local manufacturing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) will provide polybutadiene rubber and carbon black to a joint venture established by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Pirelli. This partnership will supply the raw materials necessary to produce three and a half million tyres annually at a facility within the King Salman Automotive Cluster at King Abdullah Economic City.

This initiative marks a significant step for the NUSANED localisation programme by enhancing domestic content and establishing a comprehensive tyre production value chain within Saudi Arabia. The agreement is unprecedented as it enables the complete manufacturing of car tyres locally. It will result in the creation of a bespoke Saudi tyre brand specifically designed for passenger vehicles and regional car manufacturers, operating alongside the production of Pirelli-branded tyres.

The PIF Private Sector Forum serves as a vital platform connecting PIF-related companies, government entities and private firms to cultivate new partnerships. The event plays a crucial role in enabling the private sector to drive transformative projects. It facilitates the exploration of high-potential opportunities that support business expansion and contribute to shaping the nation's economic future, in direct alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

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Maxion Wheels South Africa played host to the Guinness World Record (GWR) Challenge4 team on 25 February 2026, marking a significant moment for the company’s local operations. The team is currently undertaking an ambitious attempt to secure their ninth world record by driving a fully electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz across six continents and through more than 75 countries. The vehicle is fitted with Maxion wheels, showcasing the company’s engineering capabilities in one of the most demanding electric vehicle journeys ever conceived.

The visit to the company’s light vehicle aluminium wheels plant near Johannesburg gave employees a firsthand opportunity to engage with the team and observe how Maxion’s advanced wheel technology performs under extreme global conditions. More than a technical showcase, the event highlighted the company’s central role in accelerating the global transition to electric mobility and its increasing contribution to South Africa’s own sustainable transportation evolution.

With worldwide EV adoption accelerating, Maxion Wheels continues to support its customers by delivering innovative steel and aluminium wheel solutions that prioritise functionality, safety and efficiency. This forward-looking approach is evident at the Johannesburg facility, where recent investments in solar energy underscore a firm commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing. The integration of renewable power reinforces the company’s dedication to maintaining a sustainable and resilient industrial presence in the region.

The Challenge4 expedition, which began in July 2025, is scheduled to cover more than 80,000 kilometres across Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Americas. The team expects to complete the historic journey in the second half of 2026.

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Hankook Tire is preparing to drive excitement in the final stretch of TGL Presented by SoFi Season 2 as the tech-driven golf league approaches its regular-season climax. The concluding three matches are scheduled to take place from 1 to 3 March 2026 at the SoFi Center in Florida, marking a significant moment for both the league and its founding partner.

As the first Official Tire Partner and a Founding Partner of TGL, Hankook Tire has maintained a strong presence throughout the season, leveraging its global ‘Hankook’ brand across multiple platforms. From stadium LED displays to television commercials and live broadcast graphics, the brand has engaged golf fans around the world. This visibility aligns with Chairman Hyunbum Cho’s vision of ‘Innovative Technology’, through which the company seeks to merge mobility and sports while reinforcing its premium identity in approximately 150 broadcast markets.

The path to the championship is far from decided. The action begins on 1 March 2026 with a highly anticipated clash between Jupiter Links GC, co-founded by Tiger Woods, and the league-leading Boston Common Golf, backed by Rory McIlroy. This matchup is more than a meeting of celebrity owners; for the sixth-place Jupiter Links, a victory is essential to break into the top four and keep their playoff hopes alive.

The following day, Los Angeles and New York golf clubs face off in a contest with significant playoff implications. Both teams are locked in tight races with their counterparts, where tiebreakers like total holes won could ultimately decide their fate. Each squad understands that a commanding win is their best path forward. The regular season then concludes on 3 March 2026 with a rematch, as The Bay Golf Club and Jupiter Links GC battle to secure their positions, ensuring every shot until the final hole carries immense weight.

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Apollo Tyres Ltd recently marked the seventh edition of EK NAAM, its flagship programme dedicated to recognising and uplifting women entrepreneurs from underserved communities. The initiative, launched in 2019, has evolved into a significant platform that celebrates grassroots women leaders who drive community transformation and inclusive development through their resilience and vision. By spotlighting their achievements, Apollo Tyres reinforces its commitment to fostering gender equity and enabling sustainable livelihoods.

At this year’s ceremony, eight remarkable women were honoured as EK NAAM Change Agents for their outstanding leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. The awardees included Sahida Beevi, Seemamol S, Meera Appa, Pinki Ji, Manjulaben Patel, Kavita Ji, Gohil Dakshaben and Bahamuni Kisku. Their recognition followed targeted support and collaboration between Apollo Tyres and its NGO partners, underscoring the impact of structured interventions in empowering women at the grassroots level.

The event featured notable voices who enriched the discourse on equity and inclusion. Gregor Trumel, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs and Director of The French Institute in India, spoke on the importance of diversity in strengthening societies and international partnerships. R Mahalakshmi, Chief Human Resources Officer at Apollo Tyres, reiterated the organisation’s dedication to inclusive growth, emphasising that supporting women entrepreneurs is essential for lasting community progress. A special interaction with Anjum Chopra, former captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, offered the audience valuable perspectives on leadership and determination.

The occasion also saw Apollo Tyres Foundation reaffirm its strategic alliance with Saral Jeevan India Foundation and Frontier Markets, aimed at expanding economic opportunities for rural women through digital platforms. Ajaita Shah, Founder and CEO of Frontier Markets, highlighted the vital role of women-led enterprises in fostering grassroots economic development. Additionally, a panel discussion titled ‘Justice in Action: Advancing Equity for Inclusive Futures’ called for moving beyond conversation to concrete systemic change, ensuring fairness and access for marginalised groups by embedding equity into policy and practice.

Through EK NAAM, Apollo Tyres continues to advance its sustainability goals in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, positioning women as key drivers of change and community resilience.

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