Ready or not, autonomous vehicles (AVs) are on the way! The Level 5 autonomy, known as "anytime, anywhere" technology that can drive a vehicle under all conditions without a driver, is ways off. However, Level 4 autonomy is already here, enabling vehicles to operate in full self-driving mode, and not needing human interaction in most circumstances. The driver, however, must remain available to take over control if needed, yet the driver would be able to sleep temporarily! Level 4 autonomous vehicles are currently plying in limited geographic areas.
Trucking Industry to Lead AV Usage
Presently the trucking industry is enjoying a significant business growth, but facing a shortage of drivers. Hence, the industry envisions a model where self-driving trucks will handle those long, lonely highway miles while leaving the first-mile pickup and last-mile delivery to the traditional human drivers. This model will shift short-distance regional driving to non-AVs, while the long-haul driving will be done by AVs.
Still, it’s going to be a long time before a full-scale and broad adoption of AVs happens across the trucking industry. The shift to Level 4 autonomous trucking will likely be a gradual, symbiotic shift over the course of the next decades. Fleets will want to know how their maintenance needs will change with autonomous trucks. They will have to develop relationships with new technology partners and will have to train their workforce differently. Fleets need to know what to expect when something goes wrong. For instance, what happens when a truck gets the inevitable flat tyre and has to pull off to the side of the road? “If a vehicle does not have an active driver to ensure that the tyres are safe during use, safety needs to be ensured in another way”, said Mika Penttila, Head of Digital Technology for Nokian Tyres. Tyres are an integral part of a vehicle’s safe operation. When machines, rather than humans, are responsible to observe and manage driving parameters, tyres also need to be smart! “No matter how smart your vehicle is, tyres are the only link between the vehicle and the road”, said Jukka Kasi, Senior Vice President of Products & Marketing for Nokian Tyres.
Hence, there is a need for sensors embedded in, or connected to, tyres. Industry experts believe that smart tyres will be commonplace within five years at the latest. Bridgestone Americas is ready to integrate its “smart-sensing” tyre technologies to enable safer, more sustainable autonomous operations. When information received from tyres is combined with weather data, for example, the vehicle’s on-board information system can form a picture of prevailing driving conditions and adjust the driving accordingly. Tyre sensors can also monitor tyre wear, inflation pressure, and temperature inside the tyre. For example, an increase in the inside temperature may be an early indication of tyre damage, allowing it to be addressed before it causes a dangerous situation on the road.
New Alliances to Promote AVs
Bridgestone Americas recently announced it has made a minority investment in Kodiak Robotics, a leading U.S.-based trucking company that is using autonomous trucks. The partnership will allow Bridgestone to integrate its smart-sensing tyre technologies and fleet solutions into Kodiak’s level 4 autonomous trucks. The companies will also pilot future autonomous and smart tyre technologies to further enhance vehicle intelligence for a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable mobility future.
“Automated vehicles offer a number of benefits to commercial fleet customers and society, including safer roads with fewer unexpected incidents, and upwards of 20 percent savings in fuel and efficiency,” said Paolo Ferrari, President & CEO of Bridgestone Americas. “Advancements in tyre-centric technologies are critical to unlocking greater innovation in mobility, while also delivering significant sustainability benefits. This investment will enable Bridgestone and Kodiak to work together to co-develop advanced mobility solutions with speed and precision that will revolutionize commercial trucking,” according to Mr. Ferrari.
Kodiak has plans to deploy driverless trucks in the next few years with full vehicle intelligence to implement safe, efficient and sustainable autonomy. Bridgestone’s suite of cloud-based technologies leverage connected vehicle data to help predict tyre health and maintenance, as well as optimize tyre lifespan. Kodiak and Bridgestone will work together to advance self-driving trucking technology, from tyres and sensors to predictive maintenance.
Asia represents a $1.5 trillion freight market, and South Korea's third-largest conglomerate, SK Inc. announced a partnership to bring Kodiak’s self-driving technology, to the Asia-Pacific (APAC) markets. In addition, the companies will work together to provide fleet management services for customers in Asia. "Our partnership with Kodiak will help accelerate the commercialization of self-driving trucks in Asia," said Jungho Shin, executive vice president of SK Inc. "Kodiak's industry-leading technology and SK's unrivaled reach in S. Korea and across Asia make this a natural partnership. We look forward to working with Kodiak to make autonomous trucking a reality around the globe."
No doubt, many more partnerships between tyre manufacturers, technology companies and the trucking industry are needed to achieve full autonomous vehicles. (TT)
Tegeta Green Planet Explains Producer Responsibility To Future Automotive Professionals
- By TT News
- October 08, 2026
Tegeta Green Planet opened the Light Vehicle Diagnostics course at Tegeta Academy with a presentation for attendees aged 17 to 33. Beyond their chosen vocational field, participants learned about automotive waste management and environmental responsibility.
Shalva Akhvlediani, the organisation’s director, outlined its activities and goals while emphasising Extended Producer Responsibility. The session examined how the automotive sector connects to environmental duty and why used tyres, waste oils and automotive batteries must be collected and managed properly.
Tyre management and RECSOL featured prominently. Attendees traced a used tyre’s path from collection to recycling and learned how waste becomes a source of new resources. RECSOL, Tegeta’s tyre recycling plant, is a significant infrastructure project in used tyre recycling, processing tyres into materials for various uses and supporting circular economy principles.
A core aim is a system where waste is not an endpoint but the starting point for new resources, which requires infrastructure alongside greater public awareness and information on proper disposal. For participants, the meeting linked professional education with environmental awareness, stressing that future automotive professionals should understand this responsibility early.
Tyres Europe Joins Industry Call To Rethink CBAM Scope Extension
- By TT News
- October 08, 2026
Tyres Europe, alongside ACEA (the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association) and CLEPA (the European Association of Automotive Suppliers), has dispatched a joint communication to EU decision-makers concerning the possible broadening of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to cover downstream goods. The move comes as trilogue discussions approach.
Tyre producers form part of an automotive value chain already bearing carbon-related expenses for steel and aluminium manufactured within Europe. The proposed expansion would draw additional products into the mechanism’s remit before the existing framework has demonstrated its effectiveness. Resulting costs and administrative requirements would land on downstream manufacturers, tyre makers included, with signatories cautioning that a conceptually sound regulatory effort could become an operational and financial strain.
Endorsing the mechanism’s aims, the signatories nonetheless urge a proportionate scope that shields the entire value chain from carbon leakage while preventing that risk from being pushed further downstream. They advocate extending the mechanism only where a material carbon-leakage danger is evidenced, and request that policymakers ease compliance demands, including via more fitting default values mirroring real production routes.
NEXEN TIRE Renews Zalgiris Deal, Expanding Brand Visibility Across Europe
- By TT News
- October 08, 2026
NEXEN TIRE has extended its partnership with Zalgiris, reinforcing its commitment to basketball in Europe, particularly across the Baltic region. The renewal builds on a relationship that began in 2024 and reflects the company’s broader strategy of linking its brand to performance, innovation and mobility.
The tyre maker has pursued sports partnerships as a way to connect with fans, sharing in the passion and excitement of supporting favourite teams during major matches and memorable moments. It also values the teamwork, dedication and collective achievement that define team sports, using such ties to build authentic connections and deepen engagement in key European markets. Its collaboration with clubs including Zalgiris and FC Bayern München forms part of this approach.
Under the extended agreement, NEXEN TIRE will gain greater visibility among sports fans in the region. The partnership offers branding opportunities at Zalgirio Arena, such as synchronised on-screen advertising and promotion on LED stands near the court, in a position visible on television during EuroLeague and LKL home games.
The arrangement also includes a hospitality programme allowing NEXEN TIRE to welcome guests and business partners at Zalgiris home fixtures. Through the strengthened alliance, the company aims to share its passion with more fans while raising brand awareness across the region.
Ricky Lee, Managing Director, NEXEN TIRE Poland, said, “Our cooperation with Zalgiris has developed positively since 2024, and we are pleased to extend and strengthen this partnership. Basketball has a particularly strong following in the Baltic region, making Zalgiris an important partner as we continue to grow our presence and engage with fans. We look forward to supporting the team throughout the season and doing our best to create positive experiences for both the players and their passionate fans.”
Paulius Jankunas, President, Zalgiris, said, “We are delighted to continue our cooperation with NEXEN TIRE and build on the partnership we started two years ago. NEXEN TIRE brings extensive experience in sports marketing, and we are proud to work together on creating meaningful projects and experiences for our fans. We look forward to another successful period of cooperation and to welcoming NEXEN TIRE’s guests and partners to our games and events.”
TBC Corporation Expands Multi-Mile Tyres Portfolio With Four New Lines
- By TT News
- October 08, 2026
TBC Corporation, one of North America’s largest marketers of automotive replacement tyres through wholesale and franchise operations, has widened its tyre portfolio through the addition of four new lines under the Multi-Mile Tyres banner. Serving as a value step-up brand, Multi-Mile gives dealers a strong mix of broader product coverage and improved consumer advantages crafted to drive better retail margins, helping retailers offer greater value while lifting profitability. With this expansion, the portfolio now reaches over 85 percent of the vehicle market, offering dealers more ways to satisfy customer demand.
Among the additions are tyres built for rugged and mud terrain use, boasting self-cleaning treads that push out mud and stones alongside dependable traction both on and off the road. Also joining the range are commercial and C-metric speciality tyres tailored to heavy-duty regional and long-haul trucks, together with all-weather tyres that hold the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake severe snow rating and are made for high mileage and consistent year-round use.
A prominent name in the replacement tyre segment, Multi-Mile carries cutting-edge touring, high-performance and broad-line tyres suited to passenger cars, light trucks and SUVs. Meanwhile, the upgraded Mile After Mile Protection Plan warranty now delivers broader coverage, adding three-year roadside assistance, a three-year road hazard protection plan and a 60-day ride guarantee on top of its extensive treadwear warranties.
Rachel Tibor, Chief Marketing Officer, TBC Wholesale, said, “For more than 70 years, Multi-Mile products have offered cost-efficient, reliable and durable tyre options that enhance safety and performance. With this expanded portfolio, Multi-Mile strengthens its position as a value step-up brand, giving dealers more opportunities to meet evolving consumer needs while offering a product mix designed to support stronger retail margins. We’re continuing our longstanding tradition of supplying the right products at the right time for every type of vehicle and application.”
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