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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Kumho Tire USA recently hosted a national Ride & Drive event at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington, where over 70 dealers, media professionals and content creators tested the company’s newest tyre models. The gathering served as a key component of Kumho’s broader 2026 regional tour, which has already engaged more than 600 participants across five American cities. Attendees evaluated the newly launched Road Venture HT and Crugen GT Pro tyres through demanding, real-world driving scenarios.

The testing programme featured controlled modules, including a wet handling course, an autocross track for braking and stability assessment and high-speed freeway driving to measure ride comfort. These exercises allowed participants to directly compare the all-season Highway-Terrain Road Venture HT, intended for light trucks and SUVs, against the Crugen GT Pro, a touring tyre built for modern crossovers and larger SUVs. Kumho’s engineers also conducted an educational forum detailing the technological development of both tyres while collecting direct feedback from attendees.

The Road Venture HT, launched earlier this year, offers enhanced wet and snow traction, extended tread life and a quiet ride, and is compatible with electric vehicles. The Crugen GT Pro is engineered for heavier crossover and SUV applications, delivering premium comfort and all-weather capability with one of the highest treadwear warranties in its segment. Available in 85 sizes covering over 85 percent of the current crossover and SUV market, the Crugen GT Pro is backed by a 75,000-mile warranty for H- and V-speed ratings and a 65,000-mile warranty for W-speed models.

Kumho will conclude its 2026 Ride & Drive series with final regional events in Detroit and St. Louis later this month. The company has confirmed plans to extend the programme into 2027 and beyond, ensuring dealers and partners continue to benefit from hands-on product evaluations, technical training and direct access to Kumho’s engineering expertise.

Chris Corwin, Director of Procurement at Discount Tire & Service Centers, said, "A spec sheet has never sold a tyre to a customer standing at our counter. That is why the Kumho Tire Ride & Drive in Seattle was worth every minute. We got real seat time, instead of a sales pitch, running the all-new Crugen GT Pro and Road Venture HT back-to-back in real world scenarios. Having a seat at that table means a lot to me, and it says something about how seriously they take dealer input."

Ed Cho, CEO, Kumho Tire USA, said, “You can read all about a tyre, but nothing compares to driving it yourself, which is why KUMHO has made a significant investment in Ride & Drive events in 2026. These events give our dealers, wholesale partners and retail partners the opportunity to experience firsthand how our latest tyres perform in real-world driving situations. Whether they are evaluating braking, handling, ride comfort or overall performance, attendees can experience the differences for themselves, giving them greater confidence when recommending our products to their customers.”

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The AZuR Circular Tyre System has been nominated for the German Sustainability Award Products 2026 in the ‘Resources’ transformation category. This selection places the initiative among solutions deemed by the expert jury as pioneering for advancing a resource-conserving economy.

This circular economy model spans the entire tyre lifecycle, uniting industry partners, retailers, recycling specialists and academic institutions. The framework optimises tyre usage and guarantees high-quality raw material recovery. Repair, reprofiling and retreading prolong useful life, while tyres beyond repair undergo mechanical or chemical recycling to recover valuable secondary materials.

Rather than relying on a single technology, the system's distinctiveness lies in networking stakeholders across the value chain. The award's evaluation highlighted the system's ambition to extend product longevity, prevent waste and sustain raw material circulation, thereby reducing demand for virgin resources.

German market data for 2024 shows approximately 533,000 tonnes of used tyres generated, with 193,000 tonnes mechanically recycled and 20,000 tonnes retreaded. Research indicates retreaded tyre production can reduce CO₂ emissions by over 60 percent, lower raw material usage by two-thirds and cut energy consumption by 50 percent compared to new tyre manufacturing. Products from tyre granulate can save between 1.0 and 3.2 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per tonne of recycled material.

The nomination drives AZuR to advance Europe's tyre circular economy through extended lifespans, strengthened recycling and digitalisation. The 2026 award winners will be announced on 3 December in Düsseldorf.

Anna Maria Guth, AZuR network coordinator, said, “The nomination is a great recognition for all partners who are working together to further close the tyre cycle. It also shows that the circular economy can be particularly successful when companies, science and other stakeholders do not act in isolation but jointly develop solutions along the entire value chain.”

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Bridgestone has released research indicating that over 80 percent of UK motorists believe basic tyre knowledge should be mandatory for new drivers during learning and after passing their test. The survey found that 81 percent of respondents want new drivers to understand correct tyre pressures, tread depth regulations and tyre pressure monitoring systems. Additionally, 57 percent expressed support for graduated driving licences aimed at young motorists, reflecting broader calls for enhanced safeguards during early independent driving.

The findings also reveal strong public backing for more rigorous enforcement, with 67 percent of motorists advocating for tyre safety inspections during routine police traffic stops. Beyond individual owners, 76 percent of respondents asserted that employers should bear greater responsibility for ensuring tyres on all work-related vehicles are properly maintained. Furthermore, 78 percent called for dedicated tyre safety education to be introduced for young people before they reach driving age, underscoring a collective desire for preventative measures that begin well before a first lesson.

The survey results coincide with newly published Department for Transport data showing a significant deterioration in tyre-related road safety outcomes. The number of people killed or seriously injured in collisions involving illegal, defective or underinflated tyres rose by 19 percent year on year, from 169 casualties in 2024 to 201 in 2025. Overall, tyre-related incidents accounted for 667 casualties during 2025, a 14 percent rise from 585 the previous year, while collisions attributed to defective tyres climbed to 447.

This research builds upon Bridgestone’s 2025 study, which identified substantial backing for additional protective measures for novice drivers. Half of respondents supported displaying a recently passed sign for up to 12 months and limiting new drivers to one passenger during their first year, while 39 percent favoured a mandatory refresher course after passing the test and 21 percent endorsed restricting new drivers to a 50-mile radius from home for 6 to 12 months. The findings reinforce Bridgestone's Road Safety Hero campaign, promoting regular tyre checks as part of the company's broader E8 Commitment to enhance driver safety and sustainable mobility.

Helen Roe, Senior Marketing Manager, Bridgestone UK, said, “The latest findings reinforce our belief that tyre safety should play a far greater role in helping young drivers develop safe driving habits from day one. Despite tyres being the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road, tyre maintenance remains one of the most overlooked aspects of vehicle safety. We have seen some high-profile cases of preventable road fatalities due to defective tyres and we can’t stress the importance of knowing the tyre basics and carrying out some simple checks, which can be done in a matter of minutes.

“Learning to drive doesn't stop the day someone passes their test. Developing safe habits, including understanding how to check and maintain tyres, is an important part of becoming a confident and responsible driver. It's encouraging to see such strong public support for improving tyre safety education and ensuring motorists understand the importance of looking after the only part of the vehicle that actually touches the road. Simple checks can make a real difference to road safety, not only for new drivers but for everyone using our roads.”

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Continental has expanded its ContiTread portfolio with the launch of the ContiTread HDR 3 HT, a premium retread engineered for fleet applications requiring enhanced durability, operational efficiency and reliable all-season capability. The new offering is positioned to streamline fleet maintenance while delivering robust performance across diverse driving conditions.

The retread features a non-directional tread pattern that simplifies tyre rotation and reduces inventory complexity, directly supporting improved fleet uptime and more manageable maintenance schedules. This design choice reflects Continental’s focus on practical, fleet-friendly solutions that minimise operational friction.

Engineered for all-season confidence, the ContiTread HDR 3 HT provides dependable traction on icy and snowy surfaces, alongside stable handling in wet and dry environments, ensuring consistent year-round performance. The tyre also incorporates an advanced high-mileage compound formulated for regional services, promoting extended wear on both highway and local routes while enhancing resistance to cuts and chips to guard against road hazards.

Replacing the ContiTread HDW2 in all sizes except the 265, the HDR 3 HT is available in sizes 210, 220, 230 and 240 with a 27/32-inch tread depth. By combining efficiency, durability and versatile performance, Continental aims to help fleets maximize productivity and reduce overall operating costs.

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