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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TyreSafe, UK’s leading independent tyre safety charity, has significantly expanded its industry backing with the formal addition of Dunlop and Falken to its roster of official supporters. The move arrives at a crucial juncture, as road safety advocates push for greater public awareness amid rising concerns over vehicle maintenance standards across the country.

Both brands bring considerable market weight to the charity, holding influential positions across premium, performance, SUV and light commercial vehicle categories throughout UK and Europe. Their entry into the TyreSafe fold does more than simply increase membership numbers; it injects fresh technical perspective and broadens the demographic of motorists who can be reached through co-branded safety messaging. This development coincides with the rollout of Britain’s first comprehensive road safety strategy in over a decade, a period in which industry-wide cooperation has become increasingly vital.

Practical benefits for everyday drivers are expected to emerge quickly, as the partnership enables larger-scale distribution of educational content on tyre care fundamentals such as proper inflation, tread evaluation and defect recognition. Beyond public awareness, the alliance creates a framework for joint research ventures and information exchange, potentially yielding richer data on accident causation and tyre performance under varied conditions. These insights are likely to inform future campaign designs and help address gaps in current road safety knowledge.

The collaboration reinforces a growing consensus within the automotive sector that preventable road incidents demand unified responses rather than isolated efforts. TyreSafe will coordinate closely with its new partners on targeted initiatives spanning driver education, industry engagement and policy advocacy. By combining the charity’s strategic oversight with the commercial reach and engineering expertise of Dunlop and Falken, the group aims to foster lasting behavioural shifts among motorists, ultimately contributing to a measurable decline in tyre-related casualties on UK roads.

Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome both DUNLOP and FALKEN to TyreSafe. Their decision to join TyreSafe demonstrates a clear commitment to road safety. This is significant not only for TyreSafe, but for road users. The more leading manufacturers we can bring together around a shared vision for safer roads, the greater our ability to influence behaviour, share expertise, generate evidence and deliver life-saving safety messages. The publication of the Government’s new national Road Safety Strategy has created a renewed focus on casualty reduction across UK. Achieving those ambitious goals will require genuine collaboration between industry, government, enforcement and road safety organisations, and we are excited to have DUNLOP and FALKEN joining us on that journey.”

Markus Bögner, President and Managing Director, Dunlop Tyre Europe and FALKEN Tyres Europe, said, “We are delighted to join TyreSafe and become part of an organisation that has played such an important role in improving tyre safety awareness across UK for more than two decades. At DUNLOP and FALKEN, safety, innovation and performance are at the heart of everything we do. As manufacturers, we recognise that delivering world-class products is only part of the equation; helping road users understand the importance of tyre maintenance and vehicle safety is equally important. TyreSafe has built a strong reputation for bringing together industry, enforcement, government and road safety partners to drive meaningful change, and we are proud to be joining that community. We believe that by working collaboratively and sharing expertise, we can help raise awareness of the vital role tyres play in keeping people safe on the roads. We look forward to supporting TyreSafe’s mission and contributing to initiatives that encourage safer journeys for road users across UK.”

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Lassa Tyres, the flagship international brand of Brisa, Türkiye's sector leader and tyre industry export champion, recently convened its international distributors for an exclusive event aimed at celebrating enduring partnerships and articulating its strategic growth trajectory. The gathering, which coincided with The Tire Cologne, brought together representatives from over 20 companies within the brand’s global network to reinforce synergy and mutual dedication.

Central to the brand’s vision is the ongoing enrichment of its product portfolio and technological transformation, designed to bolster competitiveness in key export markets. In response to shifting consumer demands abroad, Lassa Tyres is significantly expanding its winter and all-season offerings, complementing its established summer lineup.

The company has introduced four new winter tyres and one all-season tyre, marking a comprehensive overhaul of its winter range across all segments. These new products incorporate ‘EV ready’ and ‘NextGen’ technologies, aligning with the global industry shift towards larger rim diameters and the proliferation of electric vehicles. The updated winter portfolio is projected to satisfy approximately 85 percent of European market demand, with a particular emphasis on increasing availability in sizes 18 inches and above.

Brisa Chief Executive Officer Vecih Yılmaz underscored that sustainable global expansion relies on robust partnerships, affirming that the company continues to advance in international markets through locally responsive business models. This strategic approach reinforces Lassa Tyres’ commitment to meeting diverse regional needs while solidifying its presence in critical winter tyre segments worldwide.

Yılmaz said, "Driven by our commitment to continuously investing in and expanding our product portfolio in line with customer expectations, we are establishing a closer and more powerful connection with our customers through our expanding and enriched channel structure while enhancing our brand appeal among target audiences. Today, reuniting physically with our distributors at such a large-scale event is not only a celebration of our collaboration but also the most significant indicator that we are entering the new season stronger than ever with our completely renewed winter product portfolio. In line with our shared growth vision, we will continue to deepen our strong global presence together with our partners."

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AZuR network partner Genan has undertaken a significant strategic shift by divesting its tyre recycling facility in Houston, Texas, to concentrate exclusively on expanding its European footprint. The decision reallocates management focus and capital toward bolstering existing operations and penetrating new markets across the continent, effectively making Europe the sole theatre for the company’s future growth.

This corporate recalibration follows closely on the heels of Genan’s recently announced acquisition of a recycling plant in Weiden, Bavaria. That investment not only deepens the firm’s manufacturing base in Germany but also strategically enhances its logistical access to consumer and industrial markets throughout Central and Eastern Europe. Collectively, these moves crystallise a long-term commitment to establishing a robust European supply chain for high-quality secondary raw materials derived from end-of-life tyres.

The development arrives amid surging continental demand for recycled materials, with shorter supply chains and the imperative for resilient resource security driving the need for efficient domestic recycling capacity. Genan’s advanced mechanical processing technologies are positioned to address this gap, producing rubber granules, powder, steel and textile fractions that feed multiple industrial applications. The company’s role within the AZuR competence network further amplifies its impact, fostering joint innovation across repair, retreading and mechanical recycling stages.

Industry observers view Genan’s move as a clear endorsement of Europe’s ascendant position in the circular economy, where technological investment directly bolsters value creation and industrial know-how. Through collaborative efforts with research bodies and sector stakeholders, AZuR and its partners aim to strengthen the entire lifecycle of tyre materials, reinforcing the principle that closed-loop systems thrive on integrated, cross-sector cooperation.

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Goodyear is significantly broadening its award-winning UltraGrip Performance 3 tyre line, expanding the range to 344 stock-keeping units across Europe. The addition of 66 new SKUs marks a major milestone, as the company now offers the most extensive winter tyre coverage available from a single tread pattern. This strategic move simplifies the selection process for customers while extending proven performance to a wider array of vehicles.

The European automotive landscape now encompasses everything from compact city cars to high-performance electric vehicles and large SUVs. With this expansion, Goodyear is establishing a new benchmark for how comprehensively a singular winter tyre design can address this evolving market. By achieving this broad coverage through one pattern, the brand differentiates itself from competitors who often require multiple designs.

The newly introduced SKUs represent entirely new fitment opportunities, allowing Goodyear to serve vehicle models previously beyond its winter portfolio. Over 90 percent of the new additions are in sizes of 19 inches and above, with the entire range now spanning from 14 to 23 inches to accommodate Europe's changing vehicle parc.

This growth reinforces Goodyear's presence in both replacement and original equipment markets, featuring 59 new replacement SKUs and 7 OE fitments. The replacement segment now includes options for models like the Volvo EX60 and BMW X3 M50, as well as electric vehicles such as the Škoda Elroq RS. New OE partnerships have been secured with major manufacturers, including the BMW iX3, Porsche Cayenne Electric and Mercedes-Benz GLC EQ.

The tyre's reputation is validated by securing first place in the ADAC Winter Tire Test for both 2024 and 2025, with ADAC predicting a lifespan of 76,500 kilometres. Strong braking and handling on snow, wet and dry roads are achieved through Snow Protect and Wet Grip technologies. Designed for both electric and traditional vehicles, the tyre also features reduced rolling resistance and lower interior noise for a refined driving experience.

Ben Glesener, Senior Technology Director, Product Development Consumer EMEA Goodyear, said, “Today’s winter tyre market is more complex than ever, with more vehicle types, sizes and requirements than before. By offering 344 SKUs within a single winter tyre pattern, UltraGrip Performance 3 cuts through that complexity, making it easier to choose a tyre that delivers proven performance across a wide range of vehicles.”

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