By Sharad Matade

What prompted you to acquire the TyreXpo series? How does the TyreXpo compliment Tarsus' events?

Our approach at Tarsus has always been to pursue growth through a careful blend of strategic acquisitions and organic growth. Since being acquired by Charterhouse Capital Partners last year, we have set ourselves some ambitious growth targets and have been focused on opportunities that will enable us to accelerate the pace of growth.

TyreXpo presented an attractive opportunity for us – we already have a strong automotive and aftermarket event portfolio in China and Southeast Asia, along with a strong footprint in the region. TyreXpo is well respected within the market and we could see plenty of scope to further develop the Singapore show in particular, especially through increased focus on our customer’s customers and bringing key international buyers to the show.

The acquisition comes at a time when the global automotive industry is going through a tough time. Many expos and events in the industry are either getting postponed or even cancelled? How do you see this as a challenge?

It’s vital that events and tradeshows continuously evolve to meet the needs of the industry and the customers that they serve. We pride ourselves in staying close to the markets we operate in, listening to the key operators and delivering events that meet our customers’ objectives. Whilst it’s true that many of the more established automotive shows have faced challenges in recent years, we have also witnessed the automotive sector increasing its presence at other “non-traditional” shows such as CES in Las Vegas. This really demonstrates that the industry wants to be where the customers are and that’s what we will deliver at TyreXpo going forward; along with really great content and a highly focused environment that’s conducive to doing business.

How different will TyreXpo be from the past, and what will be the focus?

The focus will be on delivering a show that truly meets the industry’s needs. We will actively recruit key buyers to attend the show as well as placing lots of emphasis on event content, working in tandem with relevant associations, media and partners to deliver thought-leading content for the exhibitors and buyers. We’re also moving TyreXpo Asia to a fantastic venue – the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

A significant challenge for any organiser is to get visitors from diversified regions/ markets. We also see growing numbers of expos and other events across the globe. What will be your efforts to get visitors from different markets for the TyreXpo?

We plan to focus investment on a best-in-class hosted buyer programme to attract the top 150 tyre buyers from across the globe as well as developing an innovative affiliate programme to encourage personal recommendations and invitations. Interested buyers can find out more about the hosted buyer programme on our website.

What are the challenges in organising expos for the auto industry?

In our experience the challenges in organising B2B events are the same across most industries. We operate globally, in numerous verticals including aviation, medical, labels, travel and housewares – and our approach is the same irrespective of the industry we are delivering events for – there can be numerous shows competing for the same “dollar” so we always focus on our customers’ ROI and delivering quality, relevant buyers. Ultimately that is how the value of an event is always measured and ensures customers come back to us year after year.

How do you evaluate the global tyre market?

Undoubtedly the tyre industry is facing a challenging time and is being affected by rubber prices, US-China trade relations and the current Covid-19 situation impacting production. Nonetheless, we consider the tyre industry to be a particularly resilient one and the demand for tyres is typically quite well insulated against economic downturns. Overall, we are very optimistic about the market; the outlook for consumption along with growth in both applications and end users looks very promising.

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The Bridgestone Potenza Sport EVO, incorporating ENLITEN Technology, secured the top position in the 2026 summer tyre test conducted by sport auto magazine. Evaluated in size 205/45R17 on a Mazda MX-5, it emerged as the clear leader among seven competing tyres. It was the sole tyre to earn the prestigious ‘outstanding’ rating, achieving 9.2 points for its overall performance.

The testers commended the Potenza Sport EVO for its remarkably balanced capabilities. They characterised it as a tyre combining high safety with an exhilarating driving experience, declaring it their definitive top choice. The evaluation noted the tyre's abundant grip and precise handling during challenging manoeuvres. The experts described it as a highly responsive tyre with substantial grip in reserve on both wet and dry roads while praising its fine controllability through load variations.

Its proficiency in wet conditions was a significant highlight, demonstrated by short braking distances, tenacious cornering grip and robust safety margins against aquaplaning. Developed from the multi-award-winning Potenza Sport, this new model elevates sports performance, wet control, durability and efficiency. Available from January 2026, the tyre ensures precise control at high velocities, preserving vehicle composure. It attains a top-tier EU label A-grade for wet grip, and compared to its predecessor, it reduces wet braking distances by five percent and dry braking by two percent.

These advancements are complemented by superior longevity, with a 15 percent mileage increase, translating to roughly 6,000 extra kilometres. Furthermore, it enhances fuel economy and boosts electric vehicle range through a rolling resistance reduction of up to six percent.

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DUNLOP has announced the launch of its BLUE RESPONSE TG, a new premium summer tyre developed for passenger cars and SUVs. Suitable for internal combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles, the tyre will be available in 99 sizes spanning 15 to 21 inches, series 40-65 with H, V and W speed ratings. Production takes place at a state-of-the-art facility in Türkiye, with European market availability scheduled for March 2026.

This launch represents a significant shift for the brand in Europe. BLUE RESPONSE TG is the first DUNLOP product developed under Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) since it acquired the historic brand’s passenger car tyre rights in 2025. The tyre was engineered collaboratively by DUNLOP’s teams in Germany and Japan, drawing upon SRI’s established manufacturing and development capabilities.

The ‘TG’ designation stands for ‘Touring,’ underscoring the tyre’s ability to deliver long-distance comfort and efficiency while maintaining strong performance. A suite of new technologies ensures stability and control on both wet and dry roads. Impressive braking performance is a key feature, enhancing overall safety and driver confidence.

Central to the tyre’s capabilities is an intelligent three-zone rib design that efficiently channels water away from the contact patch. This promotes stability at higher speeds and unlocks reliable wet-weather grip during directional changes. A refined shoulder design features lateral grooves set at optimised angles. This enhances tread rigidity, reduces block deformation under load and ensures consistent force transfer when cornering and braking.

Durability is addressed through a new tread compound utilising longer, more resilient polymer chains. These resist abrasion and slow wear to extend mileage without compromising performance. To complete the package, a noise-reducing tread design links lateral grooves into continuous channels. This smooths airflow and dampens vibration, resulting in a noticeably quieter cabin environment and the composed, refined ride expected from the DUNLOP brand.

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The first Sprint weekend of the 2026 Formula 1 season began in China with an intense schedule, starting with Sprint Qualifying on Friday. George Russell claimed pole position, finishing over two-tenths of a second ahead of his teammate Kimi Antonelli, with Lando Norris securing third. Russell received the Pirelli Sprint Qualifying Award from Dario Marrafuschi, Pirelli Motorsport Director. The prize includes a helmet decorated in the colours of the Chinese flag and a replica Pirelli P Zero Soft tyre, both personalised with the driver’s name and number.

Pirelli’s compound regulations shaped the qualifying format. In SQ1 and SQ2, drivers were required to use a set of medium tyres, with most completing two fast laps per segment. For the final SQ3 shootout, the top 10 switched to the soft compound. Russell’s pole time of 1:31.520 came on the red-walled P Zero Soft, less than seven-tenths slower than the 2025 sprint pole time of 1:30.849, set by Lewis Hamilton.

The F1 Academy also opened its season in Shanghai, with Alisha Palmowski setting the fastest time in Friday’s qualifying. She outpaced Alba Larsen and Emma Felbermayr ahead of the series’ two races scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

Marrafuschi said, “During Sprint race weekends, it’s always challenging for teams to fully assess tyre behaviour as they only have one hour of free practice. During this session, the teams used one set of medium tyres and one set of soft tyres, without carrying out any significant long runs. The hards were saved for the following days, and some teams may consider using them in their strategies for Sunday's race as early as tomorrow.

“The Sprint race, which is most likely to be run on Medium tyres, will certainly provide a clearer picture. The performance difference between the two compounds used on Friday is around six tenths. Interestingly, in the first two qualifying segments, the C3 was once again able to deliver maximum performance on the second push lap after completing a cooldown lap.

“Temperatures are cooler than last year; the track is still dirty and has less grip than we will see on Sunday as the track evolves. As happened last year and as expected, some graining appeared on the front-left tyre, which is the most stressed by Shanghai’s corners, and to a lesser extent on the front-right, although the impact on overall wear remains limited. On this circuit, teams tend to prioritise protecting the front axle, shifting the balance towards the rear as much as possible.”

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Nexen Tire has received a ‘Good’ overall rating for its N'Fera Sport model in the latest summer tyre test conducted by Auto Bild in March 2026. The assessment highlights the tyre's strong performance within the competitive Ultra-High-Performance segment.

Tested on a BMW 5 Series (G60) with size 245/45 R 19 tyres, the N'Fera Sport distinguished itself through exceptional braking capabilities, achieving the third-shortest stopping distance among 50 competitors in the qualification phase and demonstrating excellent safety margins on both wet and dry surfaces. The tyre further impressed with its precise steering response and reliable grip, even under challenging conditions. Its overall performance secured it the third-place position in the qualification round. Notably, the N'Fera Sport also excelled in acoustic comfort, ranking second out of 20 tyres for low noise generation.

These results underscore the model's blend of control, responsiveness and safety, making it suitable for both everyday driving and more dynamic scenarios. Nexen Tire views this recognition as a validation of its ongoing commitment to innovation, quality and the production of high-performance products designed to enhance the driving experience.

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