What may change and what may not

It is impossible to predict in advance which changes will stick, and how much and to what extent our lives will change, but it is safe to say that the changes that will persist are those that make our lives safer, healthier, and more efficient.

Mask wearing may be the most visible change that persists, and not just cheap surgical masks or bandanas. In many big, design-conscious cities the mask is already becoming more a fashion statement, a new feature of the personal decoration of city life that permeates these places. Masks may become walking billboards for commercial ads or political statements. Masks, visors and facial protection will be integrated into the uniforms of public workers, delivery people, police, firefighters, and security guards.

All public places – schools, theaters, shopping malls offices and mass transit will be reconfigured for physical distancing. Restaurants, cafes and gymnasiums, those that survive the pandemic, will have fewer patrons, as their tables and equipment will have been designed for physical distancing. Attendees of at large venues, such as sports venues, may continue to be subjected to have their temperatures checked.

The way we worked by going to the “office” has changed and many will continue working from home. This means reduced need for large office buildings. Still, growing urbanisation will continue. In the past, urbanisation has overcome the devastating Black Plagues, cholera and even the recent Spanish Flu which killed as many as 50 million people worldwide between 1918 and 1920. Each and every time, the economic power of cities — their ability to foster innovation and productivity by pulling together the talent of workers — has been more than enough to offset the destructive power of infectious disease. However, the current digital era may achieve similar outcomes without people clustered together in an urban setting.

On an individual consumer level, more shopping will move to online transactions with courier services delivering goods – so, brick-and-mortar shopping venues will see reduced business.

The pandemic has had a swift and severe impact on the globally integrated automotive industry and has placed intense pressure on an industry already coping with a downshift in global demand as well as the cost of shifting towards electrification. So, look for a changed industry with increased merger & acquisition activity.  

So, change is here to stay, and businesses need to pay special attention to signals being sent by consumers’ changing behavior. 

Anyway, when the pandemic and all its related crises finally ebb and we are on the road to recovery in a few months or a couple of years from now, we will have the opportunity to look back and see what has changed!

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BFGoodrich Tires has been designated the official tyre partner for the ChampCar Endurance Racing Series, establishing a new platform to demonstrate its engineering capabilities in grassroots motorsport. Central to this collaboration is the g-Force Rival+ tyre, which has been specifically developed for endurance racing and placed on the series' approved whitelist. The tyre is engineered to deliver consistent performance, durability and reliable wet-weather handling, addressing the core demands of amateur racing competitors.

Participants in the ChampCar series will gain access to a rebate programme and special opportunities at select events, including access to the BFGoodrich Performance Driving Guide, co-authored by brand ambassador Ross Bentley. The partnership aims to provide tangible support that enhances the racing experience for all series entrants.

The g-Force Rival+ tyre, launched in fall 2025, features a new rubber formulation for consistent lap times and a reinforced internal structure that minimises sidewall flex for instantaneous steering feedback. The tyre is currently available in 14 sizes.

Reviving a storied tradition, BFGoodrich has reintroduced its ‘Team T/A’ programme, fielding an endurance squad of employees and guest drivers competing exclusively in the ChampCar series. The team debuted at Daytona in April, finishing 16th out of 100 entries despite mechanical setbacks. Future races are scheduled at Sebring, Virginia International Raceway and Circuit of the Americas.

The original Team T/A programme was renowned from the 1970s through the 1990s for supporting grassroots racers. While the brand's recent acclaim has been tied to off-road racing, this initiative signals a return to pavement motorsports. Additional partnerships announced in June 2026 with the National Auto Sport Association, the Motorsport Safety Foundation and SCCA's Track Night in America underscore this sustained resurgence in the ultra-high performance arena.

Mike Chisek, President and CEO, ChampCar, said, “I’m excited to welcome BFGoodrich as a Series Partner of the ChampCar Endurance Series. It’s great to see the grassroots support BFGoodrich has for road racing, and their new g-Force Rival+ tyre is proving to be a great choice for our endurance road racing teams.”

T J Dennis, BFGoodrich Ultra-High Performance (UHP) Brand Manager, said, “Cementing this relationship with ChampCar is the latest step in bringing BFGoodrich’s ultra-high performance efforts back to the forefront. This partnership is mutually beneficial for each brand, and we’re eager to help ChampCar racers reach another level of performance.”

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ARLANXEO has announced that the German Federal Patent Court has nullified the German component of European patent EP 3 800 714. The contested intellectual property, held by Zeon Corporation, pertains to synthetic rubber compounds utilised as cathode binders within rechargeable battery systems, a sector critically linked to electric vehicles and energy storage solutions.

The revocation stems from an ongoing legal confrontation regarding battery binder technology. Zeon initiated infringement lawsuits in 2024 against ARLANXEO’s German and Dutch operations at the Munich Regional Court. In response, ARLANXEO contested the patent's legal standing, prompting a validity review by the Federal Patent Court.

Following a preliminary July 2025 ruling that cast substantial uncertainty on the patent’s enforceability, the Munich court suspended the infringement case. With the formal revocation in Germany, the foundational grounds for the local infringement allegations have been effectively eliminated.

John Gerrese, General Counsel, ARLANXEO, said, “We welcome the Court’s decision, which confirms our position on the invalidity of the patent. The ruling underscores the importance of robust patent standards. It also highlights the critical role of nullity proceedings in ensuring that only valid and enforceable patents are upheld.”

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Tegeta Green Planet, in collaboration with Shine Energy, recently conducted an environmental awareness session for students in grades one through three at Pirveli School-Gymnasium. The initiative employed an interactive and age-appropriate methodology to introduce young learners to fundamental ecological concepts.

The curriculum covered the detrimental effects of littering, the necessity of specialised disposal for waste tyres, used oil and batteries and the broader importance of resource conservation. Students were also taught practical, daily actions that contribute to environmental preservation and were shown how individual responsibility can collectively forge a cleaner future. The educational experience was reinforced through a participatory game that allowed children to engage with environmental topics via practical examples.

Upon concluding the programme, each student received a certificate and a symbolic gift. This activity aligns with the organisations' ongoing commitment to fostering environmental stewardship among youth, a priority that sees them regularly visiting schools to deliver engaging educational content. Such initiatives are designed to cultivate a sense of ecological responsibility from an early age, encouraging children to integrate nature conservation into their daily routines.

Established in 2022, Tegeta Green Planet operates as one of Georgia’s first authorised Extended Producer Responsibility organisations. The company offers membership to any business or individual entrepreneur subject to the nation’s EPR legislation, irrespective of their operational scale.

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Pirelli P Zero has made a prominent return to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, reinforcing its status as a leading choice for premium manufacturers. The 2026 edition features numerous high-performance vehicles equipped with tyres from the revitalised P Zero family. This widespread adoption underscores the range’s appeal, supported by over 300 homologations secured for the latest products across diverse vehicle types that prioritise performance, safety and driving enjoyment. The complete renewal of the P Zero line, initiated in 2023, is now showcased as original equipment on many contemporary models.

The festival highlights several bespoke applications, starting with the Ferrari Luce. For this model, Pirelli engineered a custom P Zero E tyre, merging high performance with over 55 percent bio-based and recycled materials in a record-setting 24-inch format. The semi-slick P Zero Trofeo RS appears on the Bentley Supersports, Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and BMW M2, while the Pagani Utopia Roadster adopts this tyre alongside the Cyber Tyre system, enabling direct communication with vehicle electronics.

The luxury electric segment is represented by the Rolls-Royce Spectre and Jaguar Type 01, both utilising P Zero Elect tyres with diameters reaching 23 inches. The P Zero Trofeo RS is also fitted to the Koenigsegg Sadair's Spear megacar and its LEGO Technic replica, the latter achieving a record of 111 kilometres per hour on the Goodwood Hillclimb.

All P Zero tyres share a technological foundation rooted in motorsport, serving as Pirelli’s primary testing ground. The company’s participation in over 350 racing events annually, including Formula 1, facilitates the transfer of innovations like virtual development processes to road tyre production. This continuous cycle ensures the P Zero range remains at the forefront of tyre technology for both track and street applications.

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