Agile and Flexible Solutions To Sustainable Mobility
- By Sharad Matade
- October 13, 2021
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)
TVS Srichakra reported higher revenue and profit for the financial year ended March 31, 2026, supported by stronger operating performance and exceptional gains.
The tyre maker reported standalone revenue from operations of INR 33.9 billion for FY26, compared with INR 30.2 billion a year earlier. Profit before tax rose to INR 1.1 billion from INR 486.1 million in FY25, while net profit increased to INR 827.1 million from INR 369.6 million.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2026, standalone revenue from operations rose to INR 9.1 billion from INR 7.5 billion in the corresponding period last year. Profit before tax increased to INR 456.2 million from INR 118.4 million, while quarterly net profit rose to INR 346.2 million from INR 105.9 million.
The company recorded an exceptional gain of INR 29. Million m for FY26, compared with an exceptional charge of INR 114 million in the previous year. During the March quarter, exceptional gains stood at INR 8.9 million.
TVS Srichakra said the exceptional items included grant income linked to investment promotion incentives sanctioned by the Government of Tamil Nadu through the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu. The company also accounted for expenditure related to a voluntary retirement scheme and recognised an incremental obligation arising from the implementation of the Labour Codes.
Goodyear India reported higher profit for the financial year ended March 31, 2026, supported by an exceptional gain during the period.
The company posted profit before tax of INR 831.6 million for FY26, compared with INR 746.8 million a year earlier. Net profit for the year rose to INR 615 million from INR 551.2 million in FY25. Earnings per share increased to INR 26.66 from INR 23.90.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2026, Goodyear India reported profit before tax of INR 133.3 millon, against INR 333.5 million in the corresponding quarter a year earlier. Quarterly net profit stood at INR 96.9 million, compared with INR 245.3 million in the previous-year period. Earnings per share for the quarter declined to INR 4.20 from INR 10.68.
The company recorded an exceptional item of INR 217.7 million during FY26. In the March quarter, the exceptional item stood at INR 198.3 million.
Goodyear India said the exceptional item was linked to a reassessment of liabilities relating to gratuity and compensated absences under the Labour Codes. The reassessed amount relating to previous periods was reclassified from employee benefits expense to exceptional item in the financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.
Kumho Tyre UK To Spotlight Mixed-Service Tyres At RTX 2026
- By TT News
- May 28, 2026
Kumho Tyre UK is set to return to the Road Transport Expo (RTX) 2026, scheduled from 30 June to 2 July at Stoneleigh Park. The company continues to emphasise dependable tyre solutions tailored for United Kingdom fleet operators, reaffirming its commitment to the commercial vehicle sector.
At Stand R37 in Exhibition Hall 1, attendees can examine Kumho’s latest commercial vehicle tyre range, engineered for applications spanning long-haul motorway driving to regional and local delivery routes. The display highlights the regional multi-performance lineup, including the KXA31, KXD31 and KXT31. Designed for mixed-use fleets navigating motorways, A-roads and urban settings, these tyres balance durability, mileage and efficiency to maximise performance across varied routes.
Also on show are the KMA12 and KMD41, developed for mixed service applications where robust construction is vital to maintaining uptime. Engineered for tougher conditions, they offer enhanced durability for demanding environments. Kumho’s RTX presence underscores its ongoing support for fleet operators with high-quality, value-driven solutions focused on performance, longevity and real-world reliability.
Kumho’s TBR sales team and executive management will be available throughout the event to discuss fleet requirements and the company’s growing retailer network. Visitors can enjoy refreshments while learning about the expanding CV portfolio.
Richard Lyons, Managing Director, Kumho Tyre UK, said, “We’re looking forward to returning to RTX and building on the conversations we started last year. It’s a great opportunity to meet with fleets face-to-face, showcase the strength of our CV range and demonstrate the quality and performance that underpins the Kumho brand.”
Prinx Chengshan Showcases Full Agricultural Tyre Lineup At 2026 Xinjiang International Agricultural Machinery Expo
- By TT News
- May 27, 2026
Prinx Chengshan has introduced a new line of agricultural tyres at the 2026 Xinjiang International Agricultural Machinery Expo, which opened in Urumqi on 25 May. The Chengshan brand showcased products specifically designed for tractors and combine harvesters, responding to the growing performance demands of large-scale machinery driven by agricultural modernisation.
As tyres play a critical role in equipment efficiency, Prinx Chengshan has developed a full-chain innovation system covering fundamental research, application development and pilot verification. With a newly launched green and intelligent off-the-road tyre plant, the company now offers agricultural tyres that excel in durability and load capacity, providing cutting-edge solutions for global customers.
The Chengshan TX series addresses specific operational needs. The TX600, for tractors, features large tread lugs and flexible sidewalls to ensure stability and comfort during high-speed relocation. The TX700 uses a reinforced carcass and belt structure to handle heavy combined loads without deformation. The TX800 incorporates an R-1W deep tread pattern and wear-resistant compound to withstand sharp stubble, gravel and roots, extending tyre life and lowering costs. For combine harvesters, the TX2000 uses proprietary IF technology to deliver 20 percent higher load ratings at the same pressure, reducing soil compaction and protecting topsoil.
Moving forward, Prinx Chengshan will continue its product plus service strategy, supporting modern agriculture alongside global partners. The company aims to advance green farming practices and contribute to a sustainable future.
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