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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Tyres Europe has responded to the European Commission’s recently presented Automotive Simplification Package. While acknowledging the proposal as an initial positive step towards reducing regulatory complexity, the association identifies a significant omission: the failure to address the regulatory regime governing tyres. According to the association, tyres are a fundamental component influencing vehicle safety, energy efficiency, noise and emissions, making their inclusion in any regulatory simplification effort essential.

The association welcomes the Package’s move away from redundant laboratory testing, noting this sensible approach recognises that proliferating tests increases cost without necessarily improving environmental or safety outcomes. However, it argues this logic must be applied consistently across all vehicle components, including tyres. A specific and immediate opportunity for simplification is highlighted concerning the Implementing Act on In-Service Verification for heavy-duty vehicle emissions. The association points out that new original-equipment tyres used in this testing are already rigorously certified under separate, existing tyre legislation. The new act imposes stricter tolerances, creating a scenario where tyres fully compliant with their specific regulations could fail the in-service test. This constitutes a disproportionate double regulation that undermines legal certainty for manufacturers. The association contends that the objectives of in-service verification could be met more effectively through reinforced market surveillance instead of creating a parallel regulatory regime.

Looking forward, Tyres Europe calls for a coherent regulatory framework that properly acknowledges the tyre’s essential role. This framework should formally recognise tyres as core safety components, introduce new requirements with clarity and predictability, base decisions on reliable data and support innovation, circularity and European manufacturing. The association concludes that significant industry investment in safer and more sustainable products depends on regulatory confidence. For Europe to maintain a resilient and competitive automotive industry, tyre policy must be fully integrated into regulatory design, ensuring tyres are visible in policy discussions and recognised for their critical contribution to sustainable mobility.

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Doublestar Tire secured two major honours at the 2025 World Executive Summit in Hong Kong, an event organised by the World Brand Lab. The company was celebrated as the premier brand in its field, receiving the Chinese Brand of the Year award for the tyre category.

This accolade was complemented by a separate recognition, as Doublestar Tire was also ranked among China’s Top 10 Most Influential Brands for the same category in the 2025 edition of the annual listing.

These awards, announced during the summit, highlight the brand's leading reputation and substantial impact within the competitive Chinese market.

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.'s global flagship ADVAN tyres are prominently featured in the latest high-octane instalment of the Gymkhana film series, ‘Gymkhana: Aussie Shred’. Released by Hoonigan Media Machine, the video rapidly surpassed 5.3 million views within its first week. This marks the third consecutive film in the popular stunt-driving series to showcase Yokohama’s tyre technology, following previous episodes released in 2020 and 2022 which have collectively amassed tens of millions of views online.

The film stars action sports icon and Yokohama brand ambassador Travis Pastrana, who performs a series of extreme manoeuvres across Australian terrain. His vehicle is a custom-built, 670-horsepower Subaru ‘Brataroo’, a modern re-engineering of a classic 1978 model specifically designed for Gymkhana stunts. Pastrana’s daring feats include high-speed drifts and a breathtaking 50-metre canyon jump, all captured in the new production.

Supporting these demanding performances, the Brataroo is equipped with Yokohama’s 18-inch ADVAN A052 street sports tyres and ADVAN APEX V601 high-performance tyres. Engineered to deliver an optimal blend of grip and structural integrity, these tyres provided critical stability across varied and punishing surfaces, from race circuits to loose gravel. This technological partnership enabled Pastrana to successfully execute the film's next-level stunts, demonstrating the ADVAN line's capabilities under extreme driving conditions and reinforcing Yokohama’s association with premier motorsport entertainment.

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American electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian has selected the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV as the recommended winter tyre for its R1T and R1S models in North America. This partnership marks a first for Nokian Tyres in the region, where the Finnish company markets a full range of all-season, all-weather and winter product. The non-studded tyre is now available for direct purchase through Rivian Gear Shop and can be installed at the brand’s service centres.

Designed specifically for large, powerful vehicles, this latest-generation tyre addresses the particular demands of electric vehicles, including increased weight and instant torque. It incorporates features such as Aramid-reinforced sidewalls for added durability and puncture resistance, alongside a low-rolling-resistance compound to help preserve driving range. The tread utilises Arctic Grip Crystals to enhance grip on ice, and the Green Trace compound integrates recycled and renewable materials.

The Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV carries important safety and suitability certifications. It bears the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol and the Ice Grip Symbol, confirming its performance in severe winter conditions. Furthermore, it has received Nokian’s Electric Fit designation, indicating it was specially developed and tested for electric vehicles. Together, these elements provide Rivian owners with a winter tyre option engineered for optimised stability, load management and overall safety in cold weather.

Tyler Scott, Nokian Tyres Key Accounts Manager, said, “We are thrilled to partner with Rivian to offer our flagship non-studded winter tyre to drivers who demand the very best from their vehicles. Our groundbreaking tyre technology, rooted in our 90-year tradition of safety, will help Rivian drivers follow through on the company’s quest to Keep the World Adventurous, even in the toughest winter conditions."   

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