Until 1989, the IAA featured both passenger cars and commercial vehicles in one show that was held at the exhibition site in Frankfurt. Following a recent slump in visitor and exhibitor numbers, organisers VDA decided not to renew the contract with Messe Frankfurt and moved the show out of Frankfurt.

In March 2020, a decision was made to host the event in Munich due to it being home to manufacturers like BMW and several other tech companies like Apple and Google. The organisers also received support from the Greens-led city council and Bavarian state government to host the show. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the show was postponed from 2020 to 2021.

Finally, the show was held from 7-12 September 2021 in Munich. The move to Munich worked wonders for the organisers, as the 2021 edition of IAA Mobility witnessed over 400,000 participants from 95 countries, along with an international media reach of 137 billion. The show featured around 744 exhibitors and 936 speakers from 32 countries presenting their views and innovations.

Talking about the show's success, Hildegard Müller, President, German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), said, "We took a courageous step and were rewarded by the visitors. A total of 400,000 participants in only six days is a clear case of 'voting with their feet’. The visitors were evidently very interested in and delighted by the whole experience. The IAA MOBILITY is now the largest mobility event in the world. New electric cars, bicycles, e-scooters, energy policies and urban planning, digitisation and more – here in Munich, we presented and discussed what needs to be thought together in the future. At the IAA MOBILITY Conference, we also experienced lively discussions on the path to new mobility. The exhibitors unveiled more than 100 premieres of their latest models and concepts, underscoring the fact that the transformation of mobility is being driven forward toward climate neutrality and digitisation."

The 2021 edition of IAA Mobility was focused around 'What will move us next?'. Exhibitors presented their innovations focussing on automation, connectivity and sustainability. Below we will discuss the innovations displayed by Michelin and Continental and talk about the other significant exhibits from the show.

Continental:

It was a busy IAA Mobility 2021 for Continental. The company showcased a slew of innovations ranging from sustainable tyre to autonomous vehicle concept. All concepts showcased were categorised under the tagline 'Safe, Connected, Convenient and Driving the Future of Mobility for 150 years'.

The first concept showcased was the Conti GreenConcept. This sustainable tyre concept has been developed by Continental's development engineers and material experts to set new standards in integrated sustainability. The concept tyre consists of an exceptionally high proportion of traceable renewable and recycled materials. It is based on innovative and resource-saving lightweight technology that ensures an extended service life.

Conti GreenConcept tyre is made up of 35 percent renewable raw materials and 17 percent recycled materials. The use of organic materials like natural rubber from dandelions, silicate from the ashes of rice husks and various vegetable oils and resins help significantly in reducing the use of crude oil-based materials. In addition to using processed steel and carbon black, Continental is using recycled PET bottles in the casing of the tyre for the first time as part of its Contyre.Tex technology rollout.

Another advantage of the Conti GreenConcept’s lightweight design is significant reduction in rolling resistance helping improve EV range by up to six percent. According to an analysis by Continental, the rolling resistance of Conti GreenConcept is around 25 percent lower than any tyre with Class A rolling resistance. In addition, the Conti GreenConcept’s renewable tread can be replaced repeatedly with little effort. This tread concept significantly improves resource conservation along with improving the service life of the tyre.

Conti GreenConcept tyre also features COKOON – a technology for the eco-friendly bonding of textile reinforcements with rubber compounds developed by Continental in partnership with Kordsa.

Talking about the Conti GreenConcept tyres, Nikolai Setzer, CEO, Continental, said, "The cars of the future will still need tyres, which we are making more and more sustainable, as our concept tyre shows. The Conti GreenConcept demonstrates how Continental will completely convert its global tyre production to use sustainable materials by 2050 at the latest. This underlines our goal of being the most advanced tyre company along the entire value chain by 2030 in terms of social needs as well as our ecological and economic footprint. Step by step, our solutions and technologies are enhancing sustainability and climate protection on the road."

Continental also showcased its vision of an autonomous, connected future with the AMBIENC3 car interiors concept alongside the sustainable tyre concept. A combination of 'Ambience' and '3^rd space', the AMBIENC3 concept combines driving, working and relaxing in one interior.

The interior concept features the Ac2ated sound system, offering immersive audio without speakers and the ProViu360 driver assistance system, which gives the driver much better situational awareness thanks to a camera surround system. Other exciting interior features include intelligent glass control with adjustable dimming and heating functions, a built-in solar charger with photovoltaic cell and the eTravel companion software that provides the driver with tips and recommendations relating to the route, refuelling and the condition of the vehicle.

Michelin:

While Continental stayed inside, Michelin took to the streets to showcase its airless tyre solution. Equipped on a Mini Electric, the Unique Puncture-Proof Tyre System (UPTIS) made its public appearance offering test ride opportunities to certain lucky members of the general public. Announced in 2019, the UPTIS is part of Michelin's sustainable development model, the Vision concept. The UPTIS features a structure capable of supporting the vehicle while also delivering a safe and comfortableride without air.

Commenting on the UPTIS, Cyrille Roget, Group Technical and Scientific Communications Director, Michelin, said, "The truly distinctive structure of the Michelin UPTIS prototype, or its 'weirdness' as we have often heard it called, really attracted the attention of many visitors and left a lasting impression on them. It was an exceptional experience for us, and our greatest satisfaction came at the end of the demonstration when our passengers, who were admittedly a little wary at first, said they felt no difference compared with conventional tyres."

Along with the public display of the UPTIS, Michelin also showcased its first competition tyre constructed using 46 percent sustainable materials. These products align with Michelin's ambition to use 100 percent sustainable material in its tyres by 2050.

In addition to the tyre showcase, Michelin also ran an awareness campaign encouraging people to recycle waste and highlight the company's sustainability plans. Six teams were tasked to collect enough plastic to produce 100 tyres. The company has plans to utilise these PET bottles and yoghurt cups to produce and launch its first sustainable tyre latest by 2024. As part of its awareness campaign, Michelin also revealed a recipe for creating sustainable tyres using green waste and plastic waste.

Other launches

Apart from Continental and Michelin, there were many manufacturers and suppliers who showcased their vision of a carbon-neutral future. Some of the highlights include BMW's i Vision CirCular Concept car made from almost 100 percent recycled materials; automated valet parking system jointly developed by Bosch, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, CARIAD, Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, Continental, Valeo, Kopernikus Automotive and Unikie; driverless robotaxi for 2022 produced in collaboration by Intel and Sixt and multiple in-cabin monitoring systems for cars showcased by Valeo, Bosch and Continental.

Following a challenging phase with the ongoing pandemic, the auto industry has emerged greener and stronger than ever before and the IAA 2021 was an indication of the same. The next IAA Mobility show is scheduled from 5-10 September 2023 and we can expect the auto industry to come up with more intelligent and greener solutions to our mobility problems. (TT)

 The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) is convening its annual Tire Manufacturing Ambassadors programme this week, sending industry professionals to Capitol Hill to press lawmakers on policies supporting domestic manufacturing, road safety and sector innovation.

The two-day event, running from 24–25 June, brings together representatives from USTMA’s 11 member companies — including engineers, business managers and marketers — to meet with members of Congress and their staff. The discussions are expected to focus on key legislative priorities such as expanding tyre retreading in the U.S., advancing consumer safety initiatives, and passing a congressional resolution in support of National Tire Safety Week.

“The U.S. tyre manufacturing industry is a vibrant engine of innovation, enabling safe and sustainable mobility for consumers and businesses. Our industry is a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, supporting more than 800,000 jobs and keeping up with evolving consumer expectations on reliability, safety and environmental impact,” said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and CEO.

The ambassadors, who live in the same communities where the industry operates, are set to highlight how national legislation impacts local jobs and infrastructure. USTMA members operate 55 manufacturing facilities across 16 states and contribute to a $170.6 billion annual economic footprint, the association said.

The event follows a letter sent by USTMA to Congressional leaders in February outlining the sector’s legislative agenda. The group is advocating for increased investment in tyre innovation, transparency measures for consumers, and job creation through infrastructure and sustainability-focused policies.

“Our Ambassadors represent the manufacturing workers who power the industry every day, and we are honoured by their advocacy for the tyre manufacturing industry and the communities it supports,” Luke added.

The initiative reflects USTMA’s broader push to align policymakers with the industry’s goals of maintaining global competitiveness while securing long-term growth for U.S. manufacturing.

Finnish tyre manufacturer Nokian Tyres has been recognised by TIME Magazine as one of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2025, ranking 98th on the prestigious global list of 500 companies demonstrating outstanding environmental and social responsibility.

The second edition of the rankings, compiled by TIME Magazine in collaboration with data firm Statista, evaluated companies based on verified sustainability commitments, including UN Global Compact membership and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative.

Assessment criteria also included performance ratings from respected organisations such as CDP and MSCI, alongside evaluations of sustainable business practices, transparency, and environmental and social stewardship.

Nokian Tyres has positioned itself as a sustainability pioneer within the tyre industry, driving sustainable development both within its operations and throughout its value chain. The company’s environmental leadership dates back three decades, with its Finnish factory becoming the world’s first tyre manufacturing facility to achieve environmental certification in 1995.

“We create tyres that are safe, innovative and sustainable. Nokian Tyres has been a pioneer in sustainability in the tyre industry for over three decades. As early as 1995, our factory in Finland was the first tyre factory in the world to gain an environmental certification. We are proud of our track record and want our sustainability actions to have a meaningful impact. The most recent example of this is our new factory in Romania, the first full-scale zero CO2 emission tyre factory in the world,” said Paolo Pompei, president and chief executive of Nokian Tyres.

The company’s latest sustainability milestone is its new Romanian manufacturing facility, which represents the world’s first full-scale zero CO2 emission tyre factory, demonstrating Nokian Tyres’ continued commitment to environmental innovation in industrial manufacturing.

Chinese state-owned enterprise Sinochem has achieved a significant milestone, with its brand value surpassing 500 billion yuan for the first time, according to rankings released at the 22nd World Brand Conference in Beijing.

The World Brand Lab announced that Sinochem ranked seventh on its annual “China’s 500 Most Valuable Brands” list for 2025, with the company’s brand value climbing from 475.906 billion yuan in 2024 to over 500 billion yuan this year.

This marks the 22nd consecutive year that the Sinochem brand has secured a position on the prestigious ranking. The company’s property development arm, Jinmao, also featured prominently, placing 170th with a brand value of 74.186 billion yuan.

The World Brand Lab’s methodology evaluates brand worth through three key metrics: financial performance, brand strength, and consumer behaviour analysis, employing a “present value of earnings method” for valuation. The ranking is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative assessments in Chinese brand research.

Sinochem’s consistent performance has been particularly notable since 2004 when it first entered the top ten of the annual list. Following the establishment of China National Chemical Corporation on 8 May 2021, the enhanced Sinochem brand has maintained its seventh position for four consecutive years, demonstrating sustained growth in brand value and international market recognition.

The company attributed its success to implementing comprehensive brand management strategies aligned with government directives on brand development. Sinochem stated that it will continue to leverage high-quality brand building and valuable brand assets to strengthen its core functions and competitiveness, supporting the company’s long-term development objectives.

The World Brand Conference, now in its 22nd year, serves as a key platform for evaluating China’s corporate brand landscape and tracking the evolution of the country’s most significant commercial entities.

German tyre major Continental is significantly expanding its presence in the global market for ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres. The company states that the UHP tyres are designed for safe and dynamic driving at high speeds and are available in sizes from 18 inches.

Between 2019 and 2024, the premium tyre manufacturer increased its worldwide sales of UHP tyres in the passenger car and light truck segment by approximately 15 percent. Over the same period, the share of UHP tyre sales across all Continental brands rose from 38 to 52 percent, and to 60 percent for the core Continental brand, up from 46 percent five years ago.

Edwin Goudswaard, Head of R&D, Continental Tires, said, “For us, ultra-high-performance tyres are much more than a technological flagship product – they are a strategic driver of innovation. Their development requires engineering of the highest standard, high-tech materials and precise testing and production processes. At the same time, they demonstrate our solid position in the premium segment and significantly contribute to Continental’s economic strength.”

UHP tyres are claimed to provide excellent grip, precise steering, strong brake performance and high driving stability, primarily used on powerful vehicles such as sports cars, SUVs and luxury saloons. The global demand for UHP tyres is projected to grow by around 9 percent annually until 2029, driven by the increasing popularity of SUVs and the electrification of powertrains. Continental is experiencing particularly high demand for UHP tyres in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in China.

The German brand currently offers UHP tyres across all product segments, including summer, winter and all-season tyres. The flagship product in its UHP portfolio is the SportContact 7. Since its global launch in 2022, the SportContact 7 has won 21 out of 24 independent tyre tests, boasting a success rate of over 87 percent.

The company stated that tyre testers have praised its ‘shortest braking distances under all test conditions’ and ‘very balanced and safe vehicle handling on dry roads and even better performance on wet roads compared with the competition.’ Its precise steering characteristics, reproducible driving responses and excellent grip during sporty driving have also received acclaim.

Continental continues to invest in the development of its UHP products, fostering close collaborations with vehicle manufacturers and tuning specialists like AC Schnitzer and Brabus.

"These partnerships enable us to transfer ideas from the high-performance segment to the mass market,” explained Goudswaard. The High-Performance Technology Centre (HPTC) in Korbach produces high-performance tyres for powerful and technologically sophisticated passenger cars and conducts rigorous testing under realistic extreme conditions.

The SportContact 7 has received original equipment approvals for various models, including the Porsche Panamera, Maserati Levante, Audi RS6 Avant, Polestar 3, BMW 5 Series and BYD Seal. The tyre is available in 120 sizes from 18 to 24 inches and has been developed for both electric and conventional vehicles.