Smart mobility is as relevant as ever, with growing urbanisation rates in almost all countries across the globe. But the concept isn’t new. At least I recall reading about the future of driving when I was very young, and a university project concluded that in the future, cars would be able to connect to each other and slide onto some sort of rail system when driving on the highway, so nobody would have to worry about steering or speeding when covering the long stretches of the journey. Not surprising, the project couldn’t have been more wrong in its conclusion. But why didn’t it work? It would have reduced accidents, pollutant emissions, road wear and maintenance costs, and it would have probably been quite easy to develop guiding chips and software to let cars in and out of the chain.

Well, the answer is simple, and is proven by the fact that car sales are still going up worldwide in spite of an ever-growing range of alternative transportation methods available to the buyers: freedom. As global wealth keeps increasing, all societies can recognize that the first luxury people growing out of poverty take is to buy a car, in many cases even before considering taking out a mortgage to buy a house. Why do they do that? Obviously to signal their increased wealth to the people around them (it’s harder to show if your house is bought or rented), but also to enjoy the freedom of being able to go exactly where they want to go and when. In these corona times being able to move about without bumping into others in public transportation is of course also an important factor. If this wasn’t the case, car sales would be dropping rapidly. Public transportation is cheaper, if you compare it to total cost of ownership of a car it’s easy math, and in many cases it’s also faster and easier. Plus, you can be productive getting some work done or enjoying a good rest when you don’t have to sit at the wheel in a traffic jam.

For those who care about global warming and reducing the environmental impact, there’s even further incentive to get rid of the car, but still, this is not what we see in the new car sales figures – although you could argue that some people buy a new car because it pollutes less than the old one.

Bicycles

With all the new technology, it will be very interesting to see how smart mobility will be implemented in cities across the globe, and if it will change the trend for good. After all, it’s be big cities with massive population numbers that will make a difference for the planet. If we look at a city like Copenhagen, it has for many years focused on being the world’s best city to ride a bicycle in, and it has implemented many innovative structures allowing cyclists to zip from one place to another in a matter of minutes with minimal need to stop along the way. Some places bridges have been built just to cater to cyclists. No doubt you can get around faster and cheaper in Copenhagen if you ride a bike than by any other means of transportation.

Another thing that is becoming increasingly interesting in the big cities is the drone technology, now we have seen Chinese firefighters putting out high-rise fires using drones controlled from the ground, and many places they have also begun working as parcel or food delivery agents. But is there a viable case to argue that we will all be flying in private drone vessels instead of driving in cars in the coming decade? I wouldn’t bet my money on it. First of all, it would take long until the general public would trust a drone manufacturer enough to not fear dropping to the ground or being flung into a building or another drone mid-air at any moment. Second of all, they would most definitely run on electricity, which we know from electric cars means very heavy batteries and/or short operation times. Probably in colder regions you would also struggle with much lower performance during winter, and possibly weather conditions not allowing them to take off.

That’s another nightmare scenario – to be caught in a thunderstorm or hailstorm up in the air.

Naturally, the ultimate challenge would be that everyone would basically need to have a pilot license to operate them, and air traffic control would be an entirely new concept in this scenario. We have all seen movies like Stars Wars or The Fifth Element where flying vehicles somehow get into invisible lanes and layers, but it’s hard to see how that can go from fiction to reality.

Urban hubs

So, how can consumers most likely have their desire for freedom fulfilled within a smart mobility concept? Most likely by creating urban hubs or city line parking facilities, so it’s easy to take the car to, from, or between cities, but not inside them. At these hubs, you would park the car and jump on the next shuttle to anywhere in the city, or even ride a bike that you brought with you. Designing these hubs, along with ample green areas in the cities, is the only way that any city planner can create the grounds for real smart mobility, and not take people’s freedom away from them. Then the only thing left is to address the issue of the environmental impact caused by passenger cars, both combustion engine emissions and tyre pollution from wear during use and waste management at end of tyre life.

Tyre manufacturers don’t seem to be making huge changes to the technology yet, except for a few innovative products like the Michelin Tweel – and the ultimate challenge is of course that the vehicle so far has to be in contact with the road surface to move and handle satisfactorily. It’s hard to imagine any tyre concept where rubber against the road surface isn’t involved, and it’s also hard to imagine any tyre manufacturer supporting such a project, given the massive investments they have in their production equipment, which isn’t easy to readjust to put out something else. Well, at least not any serious manufacturer – there was a Chinese plant that stopped producing tyres this year to start producing face masks instead because of corona demand, but that probably says something about the quality of both products coming out of that factory, and it makes me very interested in reading their mission statement.

Ultimately, for tyre manufacturers to start investing in any game changing product development, we would have to see a development like we have seen with British Tobacco actually advertising against smoking – which is very much in line with the trends of the day but doesn’t seem rational from a business perspective. So, to conclude, I’ll venture a bet that we won’t see any drastic changes in how much smarter our mobility options will become until we either see a scenario that will allow people to experience the same level of freedom as owning a car, drastically reducing the environmental impact from driving and tyre waste, and/or creating cities where it utterly doesn’t make any sense to drive instead of hopping on the city’s smart mobility system, whatever that might turn out to be.

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Michelin has introduced the new MICHELIN XHA3 tyre, a next-generation product engineered to meet the escalating productivity demands of modern construction equipment. Building on the established legacy of the MICHELIN XHA2, this latest release is designed to support faster operational cycles and the increased capabilities of contemporary machinery, all while prioritising uptime and efficiency through a combination of versatility and innovation.

Developed for a broad spectrum of heavy machinery, the MICHELIN XHA3 is suitable for loaders, articulated dump trucks and graders, covering E3, L3 and G3 applications. Its multi-machine design allows it to perform effectively across diverse terrains, ranging from mud and asphalt to more aggressive environments. This adaptability not only simplifies fleet management but also reduces inventory complexity by minimising the number of tyre references needed on site.

The tyre’s advanced structure and new tread design, which incorporates increased rubber volume, deliver up to 20 percent greater wear life compared to the previous generation. Enhancements such as a reinforced bead area provide up to 20 percent additional load capacity depending on the size, accommodating high-torque machinery. Furthermore, the new four-block tread pattern and optimised shoulder radius improve traction and stability, contributing to reduced vibration and enhanced operator comfort.

A standout feature of the MICHELIN XHA3 is the patent-pending Michelin Visual Pressure Control, an integrated sidewall indicator that allows for immediate visual inspection of tyre inflation without the need for sensors or electronic devices. This system facilitates routine safety checks and streamlines workflows, contributing to lower maintenance costs and reduced unplanned downtime. With a high retreadability rate and an estimated 16 percent reduction in Total Cost of Ownership, the tyre is positioned as a durable, reliable solution that will be progressively rolled out worldwide in multiple dimensions.

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Continental has unveiled a concept tyre developed under the EU-funded ZEvRA project, which is composed of approximately 43 percent recycled materials. The innovation serves as a demonstration of the potential inherent in advanced material approaches while simultaneously underscoring the critical need for a dependable regulatory framework to facilitate the industrial-scale adoption of recycling technologies.

The technical achievement is set against the backdrop of the ZEvRA initiative, an acronym for ‘Zero Emission Electric Vehicles Enabled by Harmonized Circularity’. This two-year EU project, slated to conclude in 2026, is dedicated to enhancing the circular economy for electric vehicles across the entire value chain. As the sole tyre manufacturer participating in the consortium, Continental brings specialised expertise to the collaborative effort.

Addressing the complexities of tyre production, which requires a precise balance of numerous high-performance raw materials to guarantee safety, efficiency and durability, the concept tyre represents a significant milestone. The successful integration of a substantial proportion of recycled content into a safety-critical component, without compromising performance standards, highlights the compatibility of ecological responsibility and product excellence. The tyre has achieved the highest possible rating on the EU rolling resistance label.

The ZEvRA concept tyre incorporates a variety of recycled materials, including tall oil, steel, rubber derived from end-of-life tyres and polyester fibres sourced from recycled PET bottles. Continental employs advanced methodologies such as pyrolysis to extract recovered carbon black from old tyres for repurposing. Since 2023, this material has been utilised in all newly manufactured solid rubber tyres at the Korbach facility. Additionally, the company uses sand residue from foundries in a recycling process to produce an alternative silica variant, effectively keeping materials in circulation and reducing the demand for primary resources.

Continental executives have articulated the strategic importance of this development. Dr Andreas Topp, head of Platform Development and Industrialization for passenger-car tyres, emphasises that while circular materials are key to sustainable mobility, the full impact of technological progress requires reliable and aligned policy frameworks. Jorge Almeida, head of Sustainability for Continental’s Tires group sector, stresses the necessity of establishing innovative recycling technologies on an industrial scale and creating closed material flows. He advocates for a standardised, transparent approach to calculation and reporting, developed through close dialogue between policymakers and stakeholders.

Beyond the recycled content, the concept tyre also features approximately 13 percent renewable raw materials and 25 percent mass-balance-certified materials, bringing the total share of sustainable sources to over 80 percent. Continental is progressively increasing the use of such materials across its portfolio, with the share of purchased renewable and recycled production materials reaching 28 percent in 2025, with a target of at least 40 percent by 2030. Insights from the ZEvRA project will guide the company’s future development of materials and technologies, focusing on industrial availability and scaling manufacturing processes.

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Doublestar Tire emerged as a prominent exhibitor at the 2026 Latin Tyre & Auto Parts Expo in Panama City. The premier industry gathering for the Americas attracted over 700 international exhibitors and more than 30,000 professional trade visitors, providing a substantial platform for automotive parts and tire manufacturers.

The Panamanian event serves as a critical commercial gateway, radiating trade opportunities across more than 20 neighbouring nations. Given Latin America’s varied topography and climatic extremes, which demand superior tyre resilience and wet traction, Doublestar has collaborated with regional partners to engineer customised products. These targeted solutions have secured considerable market acceptance and popularity throughout the area.

Among the showcased innovations, the TBR tyre D902 integrates a wear-resistant compound with an advanced tread pattern, ensuring dependable stability for long-haul routes in tropical heat. The DSU02, a premier passenger car tyre, demonstrates exceptional protection against abrasion and impact, coupled with superior handling in both wet and dry conditions. A diverse portfolio of economically priced models further drew significant attention from purchasing agents.

This strategic participation has notably amplified Doublestar’s brand presence across the American markets and established a robust framework for deeper local engagement. Committed to delivering high-performance, value-added transportation solutions, Doublestar continues to reinforce the international standing of Chinese tyre manufacturers through quality-driven innovation.

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Barez Industrial Group, Iran’s leading tyre manufacturer, observed its 29th consecutive year of activity on the Tehran Securities Exchange during a commemorative event held on 23 August 2026. The gathering featured the traditional exchange bell ceremony, underscoring the company’s enduring footprint in Iran’s capital markets.

Speaking on the occasion, Jamal Mirzaei, CEO of Barez Industrial Group, spoke of the organisation’s momentum, asserting that current undertakings and forward-looking blueprints are steadily carving out its tomorrow. The firm’s leadership used the platform to reaffirm its commitment to sustained growth and operational excellence.

Originating as a provincial manufacturer in Kerman back in 1985, Barez has since risen to become a linchpin of the national tyre industry. Strategic upgrades to production lines and the integration of cutting-edge manufacturing processes have propelled its reach beyond borders. Since joining the TSE in 1997, it has outshone six other listed peers in the rubber and plastics category, claiming the largest share of the sector’s overall valuation, which exceeded IRR 330 trillion at the prior session, with the group responsible for over IRR 120 trillion of that figure.

The proceedings also included an award presentation, with TSE Chief Mahmoud Goudarzi offering a commemorative token to Mirzaei in appreciation of the firm’s three-decade record of transparent engagement with the exchange. Later, a press engagement allowed the executive team to walk reporters through notable milestones, pipeline ventures and strategic forecasts, fostering a clearer view of the company’s roadmap for investors and analysts alike.

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