The Global Data Service Organisation (GDSO) for tyres and automotive components is only a few months old in the tyre industry but is doing an exceptional job at elevating it. The international non-profit organisation standardises data related to tyres and defines solutions to access and exchange data. Moreover, it establishes worldwide agreement on a web service to facilitate data access by stakeholders. Tyre Trends caught up with Riccardo Giovannotti, GDSO Secretary General, who explained how GDSO functions, the significance of sharing knowledge within the tyre industry and about getting more tyre manufacturers on board with the organisation.

Can you tell us a bit about GDSO?
GDSO was established in January 2022, which makes us pretty young. It was founded by five founding members that are tyre manufacturers – Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Michelin and Pirelli. GDSO wants to be technology-agnostic; therefore, we aren’t paying attention to just one specific technology. We want to stick to standardised technology in line with the first word of our pay-off: ‘Standardise. Share. Simplify.’

When we talk about data, that could be static data like the tyre brand, tyre dimension, date of production etc. or also some possible performance data like the rolling resistance value, the uniformity data etc.

Today, the bigger challenge for the tyre industry is to retrieve tyre data. Visual inspection, data inspection etc. are causing a lot of waste of time and missed opportunities, leading to a lack of profitability – not just for the tyre manufacturers but all the stakeholders involved in the tyre value chain.

When you say data, what kind of data do you mean?
I mean the data around the tyre.

The tyre industry is one that is not very keen on sharing data, especially when it comes to raw materials. So what is the purpose of coming together to retrieve data?
We know that everyone in the industry is competing fiercely with one another. However, in the past five to six years, the tyre industry has realised that the competition will change. We are entering a digital era of opportunities and our vehicles are becoming more connected. Hence, we really need to step up together and elevate the tyre sector to the digital age. After that, tyre manufacturers will definitely compete with one another. But before we get there, we have to join forces so that the scale-up of the entire industry may be quicker. Thus, it is a win-win situation.

Plus, we need to share our knowledge with one another. Sharing knowledge is not an issue if we want to solve the industry’s problems together. In fact, sharing knowledge presents opportunities. So it’s all about the mindset – to work together towards opportunities. And I am sure that tyre manufacturers will start competing once the data is available in an electronic format on the services to be provided, which would be very interesting. Therefore, we would like to unlock this potential through the sharing of knowledge and information, which should be further based on simplification.

Speaking of knowledge sharing, are you open to having more GDSO members to get their insights?
While we already have a solution for retrieving data, we are open to engaging new members. Five members are not enough, and we need to bring the tyre industry to another level. In order to achieve this, we need new members to join us who can share their input from a technical standpoint. Hence, our organisation is already shaped with a clear governance that wants to be transparent. We want to have a shared platform from a collaboration standpoint. For this, we need the cooperation of different technical aspects made by different tyre manufacturers. The point is to come together for one common goal.

Can you tell us more about your solution?
The solution that we have invented is something that is not disruptive. It is based on the common commitment towards standardisation: the Tyre Information Service (TIS). Before launching the solution, we were looking for some benchmarks. While we had a clear understanding of ‘what’ the problem was, we wanted the ‘why’ to exist. Thus, before addressing the ‘how’, we decided to go for a benchmarking. It was possible that some other industry (not necessarily the vehicle or tyre industry, but beyond that) may have tackled the same challenge. And the answer was that no one had done it. This was because of the old mindset that competitors cannot share. So we engaged with stakeholders and went through ISO, GS1 etc. and brought about the solution. Our target is to work with entities and not with a single owner of the vehicle or tyre. The intention is to create an ecosystem.

The fact is that the tyre industry was still perceived as an old industry. Something like a beauty product – just a black product placed on the road. However, at the same time, we decided to consider this product as an asset, because from an engineering standpoint, it is the first sensor for the vehicle. Therefore, we can start understanding the friction condition, the road condition, the vehicle behaviour and so on. Earlier, every tyre manufacturer would start building services and solutions starting from this. Hence, we have an engineering angle but also new digital services. In truth, the tyre industry is also working on prognostic services. Ultimately, the concept behind unlocking the potential is to enable services and solutions that may make mobility safer and more sustainable.

Do you have data analysts on your team?
No, we don’t. GDSO acts as the highway controller – we show and provide the ticket to the correct entrance and the correct exit. However, the data and data ownership remain with the tyre manufacturer. We just provide an interface and a platform where the data provided by the tyre companies can be seen. This highway should just be an additional asset to be used and not burden the different stakeholders.

How are you making sure that the data is secure?
Cybersecurity does not really apply to GDSO. However, we want our members to have high standards of cybersecurity. We want the members and tyre manufacturers to sit together and set the standard that they must adopt for cybersecurity to apply to the TIS.

Being a non-profit organisation, what is the source of income for GDSO?
Our only source of income is the membership fees. Also, in any case, every start-up will be sustainable from an economic standpoint as well. And this is what we keep in mind as members, that is, to be sustainable as an organisation. Thus, we are already working on creating new services that we may sell (but not to make profits). The organisation itself is robust enough to be long-lasting.

Is it easy to get more tyre manufacturers on board with GDSO, especially Asian manufacturers who are establishing their base in Europe?
We are already in the spotlight made by the big tyre manufacturers. Besides, different tyre associations were involved in this journey from the very beginning. I am in talks with Japan Automobile Tyre Manufacturers Association (JATMA) about the latest updates in the tyre industry and how they can now apply in order to be members of GDSO as well. Similarly, I am doing the same with other European and American tyre manufacturers. Besides, I also have plans on getting in touch with the Chinese tyre manufacturers. Hence, the momentum is quite good.

Nevertheless, I think the biggest challenge is going to be telling some of the tyre mould companies – which do not have a very global perspective and not a very long business plan – that digitalisation is not an option; it is a must and just a matter of time. I understand that these mould companies tend to concentrate more on daily, manufacturing-oriented activities. They may not have a clear signal of digitalisation as their customers are not demanding it yet. But they can start by having a clear understanding of what will be the long-term view – even if not by implementing digitalisation immediately – and can plan a strategy for the years going forward.

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Continental has secured a global original equipment supply agreement for the new all-electric Renault Twingo. The latest generation of the compact vehicle is now being produced exclusively with the 18-inch Continental EcoContact 7 tyre as standard across all worldwide markets.

The selection of this specific tyre is underpinned by its superior performance on the EU tyre label, particularly regarding energy efficiency and rolling noise. These attributes are critical for electric vehicle applications, as low rolling resistance directly contributes to maximising the driving range per charge, while reduced noise emission ensures a more serene cabin environment.

The tyre’s exceptional energy efficiency stems from a novel rubber compound and the advanced Smart Energy Casing technology, which incorporates new materials to minimise internal friction. Efficiency is further amplified by an aerodynamically optimised sidewall, featuring a golf-ball-inspired ‘Aerodimple’ structure that reduces air turbulence and the energy required to maintain motion.

Furthermore, Continental has engineered the Silent Pattern tread design to specifically mitigate rolling noise. By meticulously calibrating the tread block spacing and angles to counteract low-speed urban frequencies, the tyre delivers a quieter experience for both passengers and surrounding communities. This tyre variant, size 205/45 R18 90H XL FR, has been homologated for the Twingo in numerous countries.

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Bridgestone UK has been named Tyre Manufacturer of the Year at the 2026 TyreSafe Awards, recognising its sustained efforts to improve road safety and influence driver behaviour across the country. The honour specifically highlights the effectiveness of the company’s 'Be a Road Safety Hero' initiative.

Since its inception, that campaign has reached over 24 million individuals, combining public education, retailer participation and direct engagement to translate awareness into practical action. More than 25 nationwide events have been held at venues ranging from supermarkets to tyre retail sites, resulting in over 10,500 complimentary safety inspections. Those checks uncovered more than 1,200 separate issues, including roughly 200 tyres deemed illegal for road use.

Beyond these hands-on clinics, the programme has distributed extensive educational resources and maintained visibility through digital media and targeted public relations. Partnerships with groups like Sporting Bears have helped convey safety messages to enthusiast communities, while Bridgestone staff have collectively logged over 10,000 volunteer hours in support of the campaign’s objectives.

Helen Roe, Senior Manager – Brand, Events, Product & Digital Marketing, said, "While we're naturally delighted to receive this recognition, what matters most to us is the impact the campaign is having beyond the award itself. Our 'Be a Bridgestone Road Safety Hero' campaign was designed to encourage drivers to take simple steps that can make a big difference, and we're proud that the campaign is helping to identify potentially dangerous tyres and prompting drivers to take action. Tyre safety isn’t something any one organisation can tackle alone. That’s why we’ve worked closely with our retailers and partners to take this message directly to motorists in ways that are practical, visible and engaging. To have carried out over 10,500 tyre checks over the last couple of years, demonstrates the scale of the challenge but also the power of education and collaboration. We see this award not as the finish line, but as motivation to continue championing safer roads for everyone.

“We’d also like to recognise and congratulate TyreSafe, on their 20th year anniversary, for bringing together so many to collaborate on raising tyre safety awareness in the UK and for their continued work with government, police and emergency services to raise the profile of tyre safety nationwide. Ultimately, tyres carry lives. With an estimated 6.1 million illegal tyres still on UK roads, raising awareness remains critical. Regular tyre checks are a simple step that can make a real difference – for drivers and for everyone around them.”

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Toyo Tires secured a dominant performance at the 58th SCORE Baja 500, with drivers Trey Gibbs and Gustavo Vildósola Sr. claiming victories in the Trophy Truck Spec and Legends classes, respectively. The championship-winning Open Country M/T-R tyres were instrumental in the success, particularly in the highly competitive Spec class, which boasted the largest field among the top five categories. Brent Fox added to the brand's success by finishing second in the Spec class, delivering a third podium finish for Team Toyo over the race weekend.

The second round of the 2026 SCORE World Desert Championship unfolded on a demanding 468.70-mile circuit through the northern Baja California peninsula. Driving the #215 Mason Motorsports / Toyo Tires / Ford Raptor, Gibbs achieved his maiden SCORE race victory with a winning time of 9 hours, 46 minutes and 7.59 seconds. This triumph extended Team Toyo’s remarkable winning streak in the Spec class to four consecutive years, a reign that began at the 2023 Baja 500. Fox secured the runner-up position in his #282 1Nine Industries / Ford Raptor, clocking in at 9 hours and 55 minutes to complete a one-two finish for the team.

In the Legends category, Vildósola Sr. returned to the top step of the podium behind the wheel of his #1L Mason Motorsports / Toyo Tires / Vildosola Racing / Ford Raptor. His winning effort, completed in 9 hours, 47 minutes and 56.17 seconds, marked his first victory of the season and extended his personal winning streak at the Baja 500 to five consecutive races, a run that started in 2022.

Looking ahead, Team Toyo aims to build on this momentum as the series progresses towards the Baja 400 in September. The brand’s legacy in the SCORE World Desert Championship remains extensive, with multiple victories across all major events. Notable wins include the San Felipe 250 on four occasions, the Baja 500 six times, the Baja 400 five times and the prestigious Baja 1000 six times, with a roster of accomplished drivers contributing to this storied record.

Gibbs said, “Winning the Baja 500 is something I’ve always dreamed of, and it still hasn’t fully hit me what my team and I accomplished over the weekend. Honestly, I don’t have the words to describe what this win feels like.”

Fox said, “Taking home second place in the Trophy Truck Spec class and completing the Baja 500 is something we’re really proud of. Thanks to Toyo Tires, we ran the entire race with no flats and zero issues.”

Stan Chen, Deputy Director – Consumer Marketing, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp, said, “Congratulations to Trey Gibbs on earning his first SCORE race victory this weekend, and to Gustavo Vildósola Sr. on adding another win to his accomplished career. Our drivers have continued to set the standard in the Spec and Legends classes at the Baja 500, and we’re proud of this past weekend’s continued success.”

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Tyres Europe has joined a broad coalition of industrial sectors calling on the European Union to adopt a more dynamic and forceful trade policy amid deliberations by the European Council on economic security, competitiveness and EU-China relations. The tyre industry contends that current frameworks are increasingly mismatched with the realities of a fast-moving global economy, where distortions rapidly transcend borders and sectors.

The sector underpins approximately 500,000 jobs across the Union and supplies essential products for passenger mobility, freight, agriculture and defence. Its viability depends on fair competition within deeply interconnected value chains, yet structural overcapacity, state-induced market distortions and unfair trading practices are simultaneously affecting multiple industries. These pressures cascade across supply networks, weaken investment incentives and progressively hollow out Europe's industrial base. Tyres Europe argues that only a coherent policy combining robust trade defence instruments with broader industrial resilience measures can effectively counter this erosion.

A critical challenge lies in the temporal disconnect between agile global supply chains and the slower pace of EU investigations and duty implementation. Tyre manufacturing routes can be reconfigured within months, allowing exporters to front-load shipments during probes and redirect production to alternative locations once tariffs are imposed. This leaves European manufacturers under sustained competitive pressure even after investigations conclude. Tyres Europe has therefore endorsed the Joint Industry Statement, which urges a more ambitious application of trade policy that reflects the fundamentally altered contours of global commerce.

The organisation supports enhanced resources for investigations, a more proactive deployment of existing instruments aligned with industrial objectives and exploration of additional WTO-compatible tools to tackle systemic state-induced distortions. It also advocates for strategic use of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation to address recurrent distortive patterns beyond isolated case assessments. Given that tyre manufacturing involves long-term, capital-intensive decisions with near-irreversible capacity loss, preserving a competitive domestic base is framed as both an industrial goal and a matter of strategic autonomy. As European leaders shape their response to a volatile trading environment, Tyres Europe urges them to ensure that trade defence evolves to safeguard fairness and the industrial capabilities underpinning prosperity and innovation.

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