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 reported a fall in earnings for 2025 as weaker volumes and a stronger euro offset gains from pricing and product mix, while free cash flow remained robust and debt declined.

Sales fell 4.4 percent to €26 billion in 2025, according to the company’s full-year results. Tyre volumes declined by 4.7 percent, with more than 80 percent of the drop linked to original equipment markets, particularly truck and agricultural tyres in North America.

Segment operating income amounted to €2.9 billion at constant exchange rates, representing 10.9 percent of sales and down 1.5 percentage points year on year . On a reported basis, segment operating income was €2.7 billion, compared with €3.4 billion in 2024. Net income fell 12 percent to €1.7 billion.

Free cash flow before mergers and acquisitions reached €2.1 billion, while net debt declined to €2.3 billion from €3.1 billion, reducing gearing to 13.0 percent.

Florent Menegaux, Managing Chairman, said: “In 2025, several markets where the Group operates were affected by heightened competition, new and very unstable customs tariffs, and an unfavourable regulatory environment, which weighed on our volumes. In this context, our teams responded with exemplary engagement, by closely adjusting the steering of our operations. We also strengthened our financial position, continued to adapt our industrial capacities, and accelerated our product plan. The Group's growth momentum in Polymer Composite Solutions, boosted by our recent acquisitions, confirms our ability to position ourselves in these high value-added activities. We remain committed to continuing to deploy our Michelin in Motion 2030 strategy”.

The automotive and two-wheel division reported sales of €14.3 billion, down 2.5 percent, with an operating margin of 11.7 percent, compared with 13.1 percent in 2024. The share of 18-inch and larger tyres in Michelin-branded passenger car sales rose to 68 percent.

Road transportation sales declined 8.7 percent to €6.0 billion. The operating margin narrowed sharply to 4.7 percent from 9 percent, reflecting a 20 percent contraction in North American original equipment markets, where manufacturers reduced output after stockpiling trucks .

Specialty businesses generated sales of €5.7 billion, down 4.4 percent, with an operating margin of 13.5 percent. Mining and aircraft tyres recorded growth, partly offsetting continued weakness in agricultural and construction original equipment markets.

The group said non-tyre businesses, including Polymer Composite Solutions and Michelin Connected Fleet, made a positive contribution to sales and operating income.

For 2026, Michelin expects tyre markets to remain broadly stable over the year, with a slight contraction in the first half and relative improvement in business-to-business original equipment markets in the second half. The company is targeting growth in segment operating income at constant exchange rates and scope, and more than €1.6bn in free cash flow before mergers and acquisitions.

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Hankook Tire is preparing to play a central role as the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship travels to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast for the first time for the 2026 E-Prix. Rounds 4 and 5 of Season 12 will take place as a night-time double-header at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on 13 and 14 February 2026, marking the venue’s debut on the all-electric calendar. The floodlit setting will frame two consecutive evenings of racing, offering a fresh atmosphere and technical challenge for teams and drivers.

The circuit itself has been reworked from its Formula 1 iteration to align with Formula E’s regenerative braking characteristics and energy management requirements. At 3.001 kilometres, the layout intersperses rapid straight sections with heavy braking zones, technical chicanes and tight hairpins where traction and cornering precision are paramount. Night racing adds another variable. Without daytime solar heating, tarmac temperatures evolve steadily through each session, prompting gradual shifts in surface grip that demand adaptability from both drivers and machinery.

Hankook’s iON Race tyre has been developed to function as a consistent, responsive element under these fluctuating conditions. Its construction balances high-load grip with thermal regulation and optimised rolling resistance, a synthesis that directly influences energy conservation and race strategy across the Formula E field. In Jeddah, where high-speed running and repeated braking elevate thermal stress, the tyre’s capacity to maintain a stable operating window while reacting instantly to changing track states becomes a competitive asset from first practice to chequered flag.

Off the circuit, fan engagement initiatives and the return of Formula E EVO Sessions will amplify the event’s atmosphere. Yet it is the on-track contest that defines this early-season moment. With an unfamiliar venue, nocturnal conditions and a layout that rewards both outright speed and intelligent energy deployment, the Jeddah E-Prix presents a significant opening test of the campaign. At the centre of this equation is Hankook’s iON Race, engineered not merely to perform but to enable the delicate interplay between pace, preservation and tactical execution.

Manfred Sandbichler, Senior Director, Hankook Motorsport, said, “The electrifying atmosphere of Jeddah under the lights adds another dimension to this already demanding circuit. With high speeds, repeated braking zones and shifting track conditions across the evening, tyre stability and consistency become decisive factors. The iON Race is designed to give teams a reliable and predictable platform to perform at their best in both qualifying and race situations.”

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Nokian Tyres Plc reported a marked improvement in profitability in 2025, with fourth-quarter operating profit more than doubling, as higher passenger car tyre prices and lower raw material costs offset weak underlying demand.

The Finnish tyre maker said operating profit for October to December rose to €35.1million from €15.4 million a year earlier, while net sales edged up to €416.4 million from €415.0 million. In comparable currencies, sales increased 0.8 percent, driven by North America and the Nordics.

Earnings per share for the quarter rose to €0.12 from €0.04. Cash flow from operating activities increased to €332.0 million from €314.8 million.

For the full year, net sales rose 6.5 per cent to €1,373.6 million, compared with €1,289.8 million in 2024. In comparable currencies, sales increased 7.2 percent, supported by growth across all geographical areas.

Operating profit improved significantly to €35.8 million from €1.8 million in the previous year. Segments operating profit rose 28 per cent to €91.3 million. However, earnings per share remained negative at €-0.11, compared with €-0.17 in 2024.

Cash flow from operating activities nearly doubled to €146.2 million from €77.4 million, reflecting improved working capital management and lower capital expenditure. Capital expenditure fell sharply to €126.9 million from €350.1 million in 2024, when the group was rebuilding production capacity.

Paolo Pompei, who became President and Chief Executive on January 1 2025, said: “2025 was a year of strong improvement for Nokian Tyres despite uncertain operating environment and weak market development. The fourth quarter was our best quarter in three years.”

Pompei said Passenger Car Tyres was “the main driver of the improved results”, while Heavy Tyres was affected by softer markets. He added that the company had accelerated efforts to optimise product mix, improve efficiency and maintain cost discipline.

During the year, the group completed a significant investment phase, including ramping up its new factory in Romania, where it produced one million tyres in 2025. The site is now moving from investment mode towards stabilising manufacturing operations.

Looking ahead, Nokian Tyres said it expects net sales in 2026 to grow compared with 2025 and forecast segments operating profit of 8–10 percent of net sales.

The company said tyre demand in its core markets is expected to remain flat in 2026. It warned that global economic developments and geopolitical, trade and tariff uncertainties could create volatility in the business environment.

Pompei said: “Overall, 2025 marked a turning point for Nokian Tyres, demonstrating our ability to adapt and stay competitive.”

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Bridgestone and Kwik Fit are renewing their presence at The British Motor Show for 2026, stepping in as official sponsors of the Live Arena and Supercar Paddock. Their involvement marks the fifth year these two companies have powered some of the event’s most energetic and crowd-drawing features. Central to the show’s appeal, the Live Arena delivers high-octane displays and gripping stunt performances, while the Supercar Paddock offers rare access to an elite collection of supercars. Together, these zones have become defining elements of the visitor experience, reflecting a shared dedication to excitement, engineering excellence and road safety.

Throughout the 2026 event, attendees can look forward to a packed schedule of arena action and an impressive supercar showcase. Bridgestone and Kwik Fit specialists will be present to engage with the public, offering practical advice on tyre care, vehicle checks and overall driver preparedness. This collaboration underscores a sustained alignment between the brands and the show’s mission to inspire and educate automotive enthusiasts of all generations. Scheduled for 21 to 23 August 2026, the show anticipates a significant turnout, presenting an ideal platform for exhibitors and sponsors to engage with both consumers and the broader motoring sector in a direct and meaningful way.

Drew Chapman, Consumer Sales Director, Bridgestone UK, said, “We’re thrilled to return to the British Motor Show with Kwik Fit for our fifth consecutive year. Spanning three exciting days, the event offers a fantastic day out for families and passionate car fans alike. Performance is at the core of everything we do at Bridgestone, so we’re proud to be at the centre of the action as sponsors of the Bridgestone in partnership with Kwik Fit Live Arena and the Supercar Paddock.”

Andy Lane, Marketing Director, Kwik Fit, said, “We’re proud to be partnering with Bridgestone once again at the British Motor Show. The thrilling stunts and extreme performance in the Live Arena and Supercar Paddock may seem a world away from everyday motoring, but there is a common thread. All drivers need to have confidence in their car – whether up on two wheels in the arena or popping to the shops on the road. This event is the perfect place to connect with motorists of all ages and share how our expertise, combined with the quality and performance of Bridgestone tyres, helps keep the nation’s drivers safe on the road.”

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