Bridgestone Launches Integrated Tyre And Fleet Management Solution

Ashutosh Chincholikar, Founder-CEO, Smart Controls Succumbs To Covid-19

Bridgestone has launched Fleetcare, an integrated tyre and fleet management solution designed to fast forward business for fleets. 

An evolution of Bridgestone’s Total Tyre Care, Fleetcare combines Bridgestone’s best-in-class tyre range and tyre management solutions with fleet management solutions from Webfleet, Europe’s number one telematics solution for fleets, the company said in a statement. 

With Fleetcare, fleet owners can reduce their total cost of ownership thanks to a complete package from a single mobility partner, the release claimed. 

Mark Tejedor, Vice President Commercial Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said, “Cost-efficiency, convenience and sustainability are the three big priorities for fleets right now. When utilising many service providers, it is always a challenge to get the maximum effect on each of those priorities. We understand this is a key pain point for fleet owners and operators, which is why we’ve evolved Total Tyre Care into Fleetcare, an integrated solution for all tyre and fleet management needs. Through the launch of Fleetcare, we’re providing a unique and modular solution that addresses so many key business needs, from cost to compliance, from safety to sustainability. Fleetcare will help fast forward the businesses of our fleet customers thanks to the synergies between our proven fleet management and tyre management solutions. This launch is just the start, with more exciting innovations on the way.” 

Fleets demand maximum efficiency, convenience and sustainability as they enter the future of mobility, and Bridgestone’s portfolio of solutions is rapidly evolving to meet these demands and create new social and customer value, it said. 

Bridgestone said its new integrated tyre and fleet management solution, Fleetcare, provides a host of benefits to fleet customers, including total cost of ownership reduction, maximised customer satisfaction, time-saving, regulatory compliance and increased sustainability, safety and security. 

It is developed for managers of commercial fleets who are looking for a comprehensive and modular solution package that adds cost control and automation into their daily work, enabling better decision making. 

Available now, Fleetcare revolutionises the fleet market by offering both tyre and fleet management solutions with integrated and connected data and reporting available under one agreement and delivered by one single partner. Thanks to the use of combined tyre and vehicle data, Fleetcare provides smarter and more predictive maintenance solutions, resulting in optimised performance and increased convenience, the release pointed out. (TT)

Hankook Ventus R54 Set To Replace C52 Across Radical Racing Network

Hankook Ventus R54 Set To Replace C52 Across Radical Racing Network

Radical Motorsport is set to debut the Hankook Ventus R54 across its worldwide racing network in January 2027, marking a major evolution in its tyre technology. Designed exclusively for Radical competition, the tyre's nomenclature reflects its bespoke nature, with the 'R' designation standing directly for Radical. This introduction signals a strategic enhancement to the brand's global racing platform.

Engineered for the SR3 and SR10 chassis, the new Ventus R54 delivers superior dry grip, improved degradation resistance and consistent performance over its lifespan while shedding four kilogrammes per set. The tyre succeeds the Ventus C52 following an intensive development and track-testing phase, representing the latest outcome of Radical's ongoing technical partnership with Hankook, a recognised leader in tyre innovation.

The advancements in compound formulation and casing architecture have been achieved without sacrificing the durability and predictability that characterised the previous model. The R54 has been meticulously tailored to the specific dynamics of Radical vehicles and the rigorous conditions of international motorsport, blending Radical's race-bred engineering knowledge with Hankook's extensive proficiency in high-performance tyre design and manufacturing.

The technical alliance between Radical and Hankook, which originated in 2018, has matured into a sustained collaboration that benefits racers across the global competition network. This relationship enables Radical to access external expertise while maintaining a focus on vehicle-specific solutions. As Radical approaches its 30th anniversary in 2027, the company continues to prioritise the evolution of its customer racing experience, free from external regulatory constraints. The Ventus R54 will be accessible to all Radical competitors from January 2027, delivering a tangible competitive advantage.

James Scott, Head of Global Technical and Aftersales, Radical Motorsport, said, “Engineered exclusively for Radical competition, the R54 represents a significant step forward, both in our partnership with Hankook and in our commitment to continually developing what we deliver to Radical racers globally. Designed around the specific demands of our cars and competition, it delivers gains in grip, consistency and degradation throughout the life of the tyre while retaining the durability our racers expect.”

Byongmo Yoon, Motorsports Marketing Manager, Hankook, said, “It is significant for us to support Radical Motorsport with the new Ventus R54, using our dedicated tyre technology to maximise the performance potential of its race cars. We look forward to seeing the technical expertise of both teams come together to deliver an even stronger driving experience on track.”

Webfleet To Debut AI-Driven Fleet Analytics And Comprehensive Asset Tracking At IAA 2026

Webfleet To Debut AI-Driven Fleet Analytics And Comprehensive Asset Tracking At IAA 2026

Webfleet, the fleet management arm of Bridgestone, is preparing a major product showcase at IAA TRANSPORTATION 2026 in Hannover, scheduled from 15 to 20 September. The company will use the event to introduce two significant offerings, Fleet Insights and Asset Management 360, which are designed to address growing demands for operational efficiency. A media preview is set for 14 September, one day before the main exhibition opens to the public.

The first of these, Fleet Insights, functions as a diagnostic engine that processes raw telemetry into prioritised recommendations. It consolidates performance metrics with sector-specific comparisons, allowing transport operators to gauge their standing against more than 200 anonymised peer profiles. These comparisons factor in variables such as fleet composition, industry sector and geographical operating conditions, offering a nuanced view of relative performance.

Building on technology first introduced in 2025 with the Fleet Advisor conversational tool, this latest analytics module is already active across all markets where Webfleet operates. A subsequent update, expected by late October, will introduce automated suggestion capabilities, enabling the system to propose specific remedial measures and rank them by probable effectiveness. This progression from data access to guided action forms the core of the company's product philosophy.


Asset Management 360, which is being previewed at the Hannover show ahead of its official rollout, takes a different but complementary approach by creating a unified command centre for diverse equipment types. It bridges the gap between powered vehicles and non-powered items such as construction machinery, storage containers and smaller trailers. The accompanying LINK 330 device, a compact battery-operated tracker, will extend real-time location services to assets previously difficult to monitor, thereby reducing search times and administrative overhead.

Visitors to the Bridgestone exhibition space in Hall 12, Booth B63, will also encounter demonstrations of Webfleet's broader ecosystem, which spans predictive maintenance scheduling, driver behaviour coaching, regulatory compliance tracking and integrated transport management systems. A separate presence through the reseller network will be maintained in Hall 25. Executive participation in the conference agenda includes a presentation by Jan-Maarten de Vries on 16 September regarding the transformation of fleet management into an intelligence-led function, followed by a panel discussion featuring Wolfgang Schmid on 17 September concerning artificial intelligence applications within the transport sector.

Running through to 20 September, the exhibition offers a comprehensive look at how the company envisions the future of asset and fleet oversight. By merging analytics with unified asset tracking, Webfleet continues to position itself as a provider of actionable intelligence rather than mere data aggregation, reinforcing its commitment to helping operators move from passive observation to active, informed decision-making.

Jan-Maarten de Vries, President – Fleet Management Solutions, Bridgestone, said, “Transport operators have more data than ever before, but data alone doesn't improve performance. The role of the fleet manager is evolving from monitoring operations to driving operational intelligence. By combining connected vehicle and asset data with advanced analytics and artificial intelligence, we can help our customers identify what to focus on, understand where action is needed and make faster, smarter decisions that improve business performance.”

Bridgestone India Launches Project PRAVAAH To Combat Groundwater Depletion In Madhya Pradesh

Bridgestone India Launches Project PRAVAAH To Combat Groundwater Depletion In Madhya Pradesh

Bridgestone India has launched Project PRAVAAH, a new environmental initiative aimed at addressing severe water scarcity and ecological decline in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. The programme, executed in partnership with the Society for Agriculture and Environmental Sustainability, targets the restoration of three traditional water bodies situated within a catchment zone of approximately 140 acres.

The region has historically suffered from critical groundwater depletion, with extraction rates reaching or exceeding the annual recharge capacity. This unsustainable usage has caused water tables to plummet to depths of 10 to 20 metres below ground level, particularly during the dry pre-monsoon period, severely impacting both domestic drinking water supplies and agricultural irrigation.

Moving beyond simple water conservation, Project PRAVAAH employs nature-based solutions and active community engagement to revive local ecosystems. The effort creates new livelihood opportunities for marginalised women and complements Bridgestone’s broader environmental portfolio, which already includes 9.5 acres of biodiversity parks and community gardens designed to promote conservation awareness.

The restoration project is projected to recharge up to 150,000 metric tonnes of groundwater, ensuring more reliable water access for nearby households, livestock and farms. By revitalising ponds as living ecosystems, the initiative aims to foster biodiversity, bolster community resilience against climate variability and reaffirm the company’s dedication to long-term societal and environmental well-being.

Sudhir Kulkarni, Executive Director – HR, Admin & CSR, said, “Care for the environment and the communities that it serves are core to Bridgestone’s philosophy. Project PRAVAAH aims at tackling the acute water shortage faced by communities in Dhar. With Project PRAVAAH, we are turning these ponds back into living ecosystems that will benefit these communities.”

Pyrum Secures First External Plant Deal With Czech Joint Venture

Pyrum Secures First External Plant Deal With Czech Joint Venture

Pyrum Innovations AG has officially entered into a binding plant purchase agreement with its Czech-based joint venture, SUAS reTire s.r.o., marking a watershed moment for the German technology firm. The agreement, covering a thermolysis system for the planned Sokolov recycling hub, constitutes Pyrum’s inaugural external equipment sale, a transaction that significantly propels its commercial footprint beyond domestic operations.

Financial groundwork for the Czech project has been firmly secured, as the joint venture concurrently closed loan arrangements with a local banking institution. This development rendered the venture fully capitalised, prompting SUAS reTire to place an irrevocable order for Pyrum’s core technology, which encompasses three reactor units and auxiliary process systems. As the primary technology partner, Pyrum will assume responsibility for harmonising all ancillary site equipment with the master control architecture.

The corporate structure underpinning the initiative sees Pyrum owning 49 percent of SUAS reTire, while the remaining 51 percent is held by SUAS Ecology s.r.o., a partnership forged in the preceding year. The JV is exclusively mandated to oversee the design, construction and subsequent operation of the advanced tyre recycling facility in the western Czech city.

Ground preparation at the industrial zone has already commenced, and the impending down payments will unlock procurement of long-lead components to uphold the project timeline. Once operational, the three-reactor train is designed to process upwards of 22,000 tonnes of scrap tyres per annum. The location’s inherent logistical edge derives from the adjacent SUAS power plant, which will permit direct conversion of pyrolytic off-gas into electricity, circumventing heavy auxiliary capital outlays. The plant is slated to begin production by the spring of 2028.

Pascal Klein, CEO, Pyrum Innovations AG, said, “By signing our first external plant purchase agreement, we have reached a significant milestone in Pyrum’s development. This achievement is the result of a long and intensive journey during which, together with our partners, we established key technical, financial and organisational foundations. We are therefore all the more pleased to have now signed our first plant purchase agreement for an external facility, which we will build together with our partner SUAS. The secured financing underlines our partners’ confidence in our technology and provides an excellent foundation for the successful implementation of the project in the Czech Republic.”