As I speak with industry members, regulators and legislators I continue to be stunned by the lack of appreciation of the very critical role that tyres play in our societies.

Governments bleat about fuel security “investing” precious currency to prop up petroleum fuel storage and production in the face of the ever-expanding development of electric vehicles and more recently the advent of hydrogen as a viable fuel with thanks to the PV (solar) industry advancements. Tyres? What do you mean tyres? Without tyres our societies would grind to a halt in the near term. How are they not a strategic consideration?

Our industries (tyre, road freight transport, mining, public transport and leisure) are facing sufficient difficulties with COVID as well as international shipping challenges to be faced with continued ignorance and negligence by our legislators and regulators.

Please review your countries legislative requirements in regards tyre inflation for light vehicles (say <4,500 kgs) and then the same requirement for heavy vehicles (>4,500 kgs). What do you find?

Mostly I think you will find that tyre inflation pressures are regulated for light vehicles via the vehicle manufacturers tyre placard. For heavy vehicles there is little, if any, such requirement. To illustrate the yawning gap between reality and regulation one peak heavy transport regulatory body published a procedure for roller brake testing for heavy vehicles. The procedure details in minute detail the requirements of the pneumatic system on the truck under test yet merely stated “tyres should be inflated.” As everyone in the tyre industry understands a tyre can be inflated at low pressures totally unrelated to actual operating pressures. What connects the brakes to the pavement? Tyres!

I’ve spoken at length about the absolute requirement for a tyre to be appropriately inflated. This is basic physics, the air molecules captured within the tyre’s air chamber actually support the applied loads. If there are insufficient molecules of air the tyre will be overworked so overheat and so enter a failure phase. There are other requirements for the inflation being the actual shaping of the tyre to interface with the pavement at the optimum level, read traction. A wide based tyre requires special construction to maintain the tread platform shape. If the inflation pressure is not at the manufacturer’s specified level will this critical shape be maintained? Then it is not only the performance of the tyre in question but also the safety of the vehicle and that of the general public in the areas this vehicle operates in.

The extensive report produced by the TNO Organisation (TNO 2013 R10986) detailed not only the exhaust emissions as a result of inappropriately inflated tyres but also the road safety outcomes. This paper is now just over eight years old but the situation with real time pressure monitoring for heavy vehicles remains as it was, 50 years or more ago. WHY? Are our regulators asleep at the wheel (or tyre some may say) through entrenched inaction and ignorance? Or is it that there are just “no votes” in tyres and everyone just ASSuMes their tyres are “ok”?

EV tyres

With the advent of electric vehicles, the ramifications for tyres are huge. In the past internal combustion engines (ICE) built up torque over a rev range, drivelines multiplied the torque developed and for heavy vehicles there is a sweet spot for torque. The multi speed gearboxes assisted the driver to maintain forward motion within this torque sweet spot. Electric motors apply maximum torque over most of their operating range. From the instant the power is applied by the driver (be that human or robotic) the tyres are under peak stress. Any deficiency within the tyre will be magnified with detrimental results. Such a deficiency may be of a manufacturing nature but this is largely controllable by the manufacturer. What is not currently controllable is the human maintenance factor, the applied inflation pressure.

Tyre manufacturers have for as long as they have been manufacturing tyres been informative about the criticality of appropriate tyre inflation. There are untold charts and pictorials showing how a tyre is influenced by under or over inflation yet our regulators and legislators continue to keep their heads buried deep out of the light. WHY when tyres are such a critical component of our modern-day motor vehicle? I would charge ignorance and negligence on one hand but then on the other suggest that because tyres work as well as they do, are as forgiving (by nature of their fundamental flexible design) our “guiding powers” can focus on other trendy and glamorous aspects such as stability control or autonomous braking. An important question for these people to consider and respond to; “what item on the vehicle transfers the power (and so directly influence these vehicle control systems) from the vehicle to the pavement (be that power tractive or retardation)? Yes of course, the humble tyre.

So, when a government sponsored or publicly funded body involved in road safety ignores tyres (for whatever reason, ignorance or negligence) are they really serving the interests of our communities and societies or are they just -- I should stop there but you know where I’m going!

The technology to monitor tyre pressures in real time is and has now been available for decades. The TREAD Act (USA) mandated tyre pressure monitoring (TPMS) for light vehicles in the USA in the year 2000. This year TPMS gets a key for its birthday, yes well and truly a mature product (some may say adult) and industry yet, our regulators and legislators continue to ignore the humble tyre.

The upsides of maintaining tyres at an appropriate pressure I’ve discussed previously, all positive. The same detail has been published in many papers (such as the TNO paper!) but we as an industry continue to live in the past whilst adopting hi-tech solutions for other aspects of our industries, e.g., GPS tracking, fatigue monitoring, reefer monitoring and control, real time video surveillance of the drivers and the surrounding traffic conditions. Why? To me there is little respect paid to the critical role the tyre provides for us. So many users do not consider how the tyre works for them and why the simplest of tasks will enhance the performance, yes, I speak of inflation maintenance. Without respect the tyre will never be recognised for the contribution it has made and continues to make.

I publicly and openly challenge our tyre manufacturers as a collective to mount an education campaign to enhance the level of respect the general public has about tyres. The TIA (US) and USTMA have local campaigns on behalf of their members but I consider that until the tyre manufacturers as a collective industry actual improve the level of respect for the humble tyre we will be chasing our tails on a race to the bottom. Our tyres deserve better!

What about Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Continental, BKT, Dunlop, ZC Rubber, Hankook, Pirelli, Toyo, Sumitomo, Yokohama, Kumho, MRF, Apollo, Nokian, JKTyres, Cooper, Titan, Linglong, Triangle et al?

Remember success does not reward a lack of action. (TT)

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According to a recent analysis by ICRA, the Indian automotive sector is poised for a period of normalised wholesale volume expansion in the fiscal year 2026–27. This forecast follows a phase of accelerated growth in the latter half of 2025–26, which was primarily fuelled by factors emerging from post-GST reforms and positive rural market sentiment. The industry is currently undergoing significant structural changes, most notably a shift towards premium products and an evolving mix of powertrain technologies, signalling a deep-seated change in consumer behaviour and technological adoption.

In the passenger vehicle segment, domestic wholesale figures for 2025–26 are anticipated to rise by 5–7 percent. This uptick is attributed to increased affordability resulting from GST rate adjustments, a robust need for vehicle replacement and a continuing inclination towards private transportation. The utility vehicle sub-segment is particularly benefiting from shifting consumer tastes and a surge in new model introductions. Concurrently, alternative powertrains like CNG, hybrids and electric vehicles are gaining traction due to regulatory influences and changing customer preferences. However, building on a high base and elevated inventory levels with dealers, the growth in passenger vehicle wholesales is expected to temper to a more moderate 4–6 percent in 2026–27.

The two-wheeler market is on a path of steady recovery, with an estimated growth of 6–9 percent in 2025–26. This is supported by strong agricultural performance, easier access to finance and better overall affordability. Mirroring the passenger vehicle segment, a trend towards premiumisation is evident, with demand for premium motorcycles and scooters rebounding sharply, while entry-level models continue to face headwinds due to elevated prices and affordability issues for lower-income consumers. The penetration of electric two-wheelers is set to increase progressively, though the industry must monitor supply-side factors such as the availability of rare earth magnets. Looking ahead to 2026–27, the segment's growth is projected to normalise to 3–5 percent.

The commercial vehicle sector is forecast to see wholesale volumes grow by 7–9 percent in 2025–26, driven by increased activity in light commercial vehicles and buses. While replacement demand, infrastructure projects and a stable economy provide a solid foundation, cumulative price increases from successive regulatory changes, like emission norm updates, pose a constraint on more robust expansion, particularly for trucks. For 2026–27, the overall growth for commercial vehicles is expected to settle at 4–6 percent. Within this, medium and heavy commercial vehicles are projected to grow by 5–7 percent, light commercial vehicles by 3–5 percent and the bus segment is likely to outperform with 7–9 percent growth, buoyed by significant replacement needs from state transport undertakings.

Across all these segments, the adoption of electric vehicles is predicted to rise substantially by the end of the decade. This transition will be most pronounced in two-wheelers, three-wheelers and buses, with passenger cars and light commercial vehicles also seeing a gradual increase from their current low base. This widespread shift will be enabled by sustained governmental policy support, the expansion of charging networks and a progressively lower total cost of ownership for electric models.

Srikumar Krishnamurthy, Senior Vice President & Co–Group Head – Corporate Ratings, ICRA, said, “The current fiscal has unfolded as a tale of two halves for the Indian automotive industry, with the first half witnessing subdued demand while the second half is seeing a strong recovery on the back of policy support and healthy rural demand. Industry sales volumes have been robust over the past few months, aided by the GST rate cut, pent–up demand, supportive rural output and conducive financing environment. Although demand sentiment remains optimistic, volumes are reaching levels that would weigh on the potential for outsized growth in 2026–27.

“The Indian automotive industry is currently at crossroads amid changing consumer preferences, technological advancements and focus on sustainability. ICRA expects the growth trajectory to continue in 2026–27 even as growth is likely to remain modest across segments. Over the medium term, vehicle electrification is expected to be a key structural theme, with EV penetration rising steadily across segments.”

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The seventh Apollo Tyres Global Partners’ Summit brought together a diverse group of leaders, innovators and longstanding collaborators for a day dedicated to strategic dialogue and forward-looking alignment. Conversations focused on key areas such as business strategy, product innovation, manufacturing excellence and sustainability, reinforcing the idea that enduring success is built on strong, collaborative relationships. A major highlight was a guided tour of Apollo Tyres’ advanced manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh, where partners gained direct insight into the scale, cutting-edge technology and operational precision that are shaping the company’s future growth.

The summit featured two significant panel discussions. The first – Doing Business in Uncertain Times – brought together global leaders to explore challenges and opportunities in a shifting landscape. The second – Building Sustainability into Manufacturing Operations – addressed integrating sustainability into manufacturing, with experts discussing decarbonisation, ethical sourcing and digital transformation. Both sessions emphasised the growing responsibilities of modern enterprises and the need for cross-border cooperation to build resilient supply chains and drive meaningful change.

Concluding the event was an awards ceremony celebrating partners whose exceptional performance, innovation and dedication continue to elevate industry standards. These honours acknowledged not just measurable outcomes, but the trust and shared accountability that form the foundation of lasting partnerships.

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JK Tyre & Industries  is investing INR 11.3 billion to expand production capacity across truck and bus radial, passenger car radial and off-the-road tyre segments, as strong demand pushes utilisation levels close to full.

The programme will raise overall capacity by about seven percent through projects at its Banmore, Laksar and Mysuru plants. Passenger car radial expansion at Banmore has been completed and is ramping up, with full capacity expected by July 2026. Truck and bus radial capacity at Laksar is due to come on stream by April 2026, while the off-highway expansion at Mysuru is already complete.

The investment forms part of the company’s broader INR 50 billion capital-expenditure plan over five years, focused on premium passenger tyres and radial technologies. Management said the share of larger-rim passenger tyres in its mix had risen to about 31 per cent from 27 per cent a year earlier, underpinning the need for additional capacity.

Indian operations are running at more than 90 percent utilisation, with radial tyre capacity above 95 per cent and consolidated utilisation above 85 percent. The expansion is intended to support continued growth in domestic replacement and original-equipment demand, as well as exports.

Separately, JK Tyre has completed the merger of subsidiary Cavendish Industries Ltd., after improving its utilisation from roughly 30 per cent to more than 95 per cent. The integration is expected to deliver operational synergies and strengthen capacity availability across product lines.

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Falken Tyre Europe GmbH is reshaping its summer tyre portfolio in response to shifting automotive trends on the continent, with a significant expansion planned for 2026. The updated lineup directly addresses the growing dominance of SUVs – which now represent 54 percent of new car registrations – and the accelerating shift towards electrification, with battery-electric vehicles holding a 17.5 percent market share in the first half of 2025. These developments have created heightened demand for larger tyre sizes and increased load capacities to accommodate heavier vehicle weights and the instant torque delivery of electric powertrains, all while preserving ride comfort and safety.

A key element of this enhanced portfolio is the AZENIS FK520, which now encompasses a broader array of larger rim diameters and wider footprints to suit both premium SUVs and high-performance automobiles. Its construction continues to emphasise a balance of strength and weight efficiency, incorporating reinforcement materials that support stability during demanding cornering and braking manoeuvres on dry tarmac. This approach ensures that drivers of heavier, more powerful vehicles can still experience precise handling characteristics.

For the rapidly expanding segment of battery-electric and hybrid vehicles, the e. ZIEX line has been developed to address their unique operational requirements. New size additions cater directly to popular electric models, while original equipment approval for Audi Q6 e-tron underscores its suitability for modern EV platforms. The tyre’s engineering focuses on extending range and durability through a carefully designed tread structure that promotes uniform pressure distribution, thereby reducing internal resistance and slowing the rate of wear across the contact patch.

At the pinnacle of the range, the AZENIS RS820 draws directly from Falken’s involvement in endurance motorsport to deliver ultra-high-performance capabilities for exotic sports cars and supercars. Its compound formulation and shoulder architecture are optimized for lateral stiffness on dry circuits and reliable grip in wet conditions, a combination that has led to its selection as original equipment on a premium performance sedan. Complementing these specialist products, the ZIEX ZE320 offers a broadly accessible option for everyday passenger cars, incorporating features that reduce interior noise and improve fuel economy through a lighter, more efficient casing structure.

Marcus Schulz, Product Manager, Falken, said, “Consumer demand for EVs and SUVs is reshaping Europe’s automotive landscape and Falken is ready to meet that challenge. Our 2026 summer range has grown in the areas where we are noticing this growth, ensuring more of Europe’s drivers can rely on Falken’s safe, efficient and performant range – always backed by our five-year guarantee.”

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