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)

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

TyreSafe has entered into a formal partnership with Knowsley Council to advance tyre safety awareness among motorists throughout the borough. This collaboration bolsters the council’s broader dedication to enhancing road safety and aligns with its strategic objective of reducing traffic-related harm on local highways.

Under this agreement, TyreSafe will supply practical educational materials that clarify driver responsibilities and guide proper tyre inspection procedures. The initiative is designed to empower road users to detect early warning signs of wear, incorrect pressure or damage, thereby preventing minor issues from escalating into hazardous failures. This educational push complements Knowsley’s existing road safety programmes, which integrate engineering improvements, public information campaigns and enforcement measures.

The urgency of this effort is underscored by recent collision data. Over the five-year period concluding in 2025, Knowsley recorded 945 police-attended road incidents, resulting in 262 casualties classified as killed or seriously injured, including 12 fatalities. With more than one billion vehicle miles travelled across the borough annually, proper vehicle maintenance is critical for safeguarding drivers, passengers and pedestrians alike. Tyres, being the sole contact point between a vehicle and the road surface, are fundamental to effective braking, steering and overall handling.

Regular condition checks are therefore essential, particularly given that regional enforcement operations frequently uncover illegal or defective tyres, which carry severe penalties and elevate accident risks. The TyreSafe-Knowsley partnership will facilitate joint campaigns, community engagement and educational events, ensuring clear tyre safety guidance reaches a wide audience. This initiative forms part of TyreSafe’s broader UK-wide strategy to foster multi-sector collaboration, recognising that lasting reductions in road deaths and serious injuries demand coordinated action across education, enforcement, engineering and vehicle safety standards.

Cllr Tony Brennan, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said, “Keeping people safe on our roads requires everyone to play their part, and our Vision Zero approach is focused on reducing the risk of people being killed or seriously injured. Making sure vehicles are safe and properly maintained, including their tyres, is an important part of protecting drivers, passengers and other road users. Tyres can have a significant impact on braking, steering and vehicle control, so ensuring they are legal and in good condition should be part of every motorist’s routine. We’re pleased to be partnering with TyreSafe to provide motorists with clear, practical information that supports our wider road safety work and helps people make safer choices on Knowsley’s roads.”

Stuart Lovatt, Chair at TyreSafe, said, “Tyre safety has an important role to play in keeping everyone using Knowsley’s roads safe. Whether someone is making a short local journey or covering significant distances, ensuring their tyres are legal, correctly inflated and in good condition is essential. Simple, regular checks can help motorists identify problems before they become a risk. We’re delighted to partner with Knowsley Council. Their commitment to Vision Zero and their work to improve safety across the borough makes this a particularly valuable partnership. By working together, we can raise awareness of tyre safety among road users and support the council’s wider efforts to make Knowsley’s roads safer.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Michelin India has opened four new retail outlets in Hyderabad, expanding its presence in southern India and improving access to its tyre products and services in the city.

The Michelin Tyre and Services (MTS) stores are located in Jubilee Hills, Saroornagar, Gandimaisamma and Kompally. The expansion is intended to support the availability of the company’s made-in-India Primacy 5 passenger vehicle tyres.

Each outlet has been developed in line with Michelin’s global retail standards, with service bays, equipment and customer facilities designed to deliver a consistent service experience.

The Jubilee Hills store has been launched in partnership with Wheel O City, while the Saroornagar outlet has been opened with Vigneshwara Wheels. A third outlet in Gandimaisamma has been established with Sachin Tyres. The Kompally store has been developed with Lambodara Tyres, which was established in 2012.

The outlets at Jubilee Hills and Gandimaisamma were inaugurated by Benjamin Coesnon, Marketing Director B2C at Michelin India, while the Saroornagar and Kompally locations were inaugurated by Kunal Doshi, SP Director at Michelin India.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director of Michelin India, said, “Hyderabad continues to be one of India's most important mobility markets, driven by rapid urban development, expanding infrastructure, and growing demand for premium mobility solutions. The inauguration of four Michelin Tyres & Services stores across key locations in the city marks an important step in strengthening our retail ecosystem and bringing Michelin's globally benchmarked products and services closer to customers. As we continue to expand our footprint across India and accelerate the growth of our Made-in-India passenger vehicle tyre portfolio, we remain focused on working with strong local partners to deliver superior mobility experiences tailored to the evolving expectations of Indian consumers."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The FALKEN ZIEX ZE320 has emerged as the outright winner of the 2026 Auto Express summer tyre test, securing the top position in a competitive field that included premium, mid-range and budget alternatives. The comprehensive evaluation, conducted by the prominent UK automotive publication, saw the ZIEX ZE320 praised for its balanced capabilities and reassuring dynamics across both wet and dry surfaces.

Auto Express, a leading authority for new and used car buyers in the UK, is renowned for its independent tyre assessments, which are carried out without the prior knowledge of the manufacturers. The testing procedure for this year’s competition focused on the popular 205/55 R16 91V size, incorporating a variety of rigorous metrics such as braking, handling, aquaplaning resistance and noise levels.

The tyre’s victory was underscored by its performance in key disciplines, including setting the fastest lap times on both wet and dry circuits. The design features of the ZIEX ZE320, including an intelligent tread pattern with offset sipes, contribute to its strong traction and precise steering feel, while its lightweight casing and optimised sidewalls aim to improve rolling efficiency and reduce noise without sacrificing lateral stability. The entire range holds an ‘A’ rating for wet grip under EU labelling.

Available in 61 sizes spanning 15- to 18-inch wheel diameters, the tyre’s success was hailed as a strong endorsement of its everyday usability and performance. The Auto Express test team ultimately concluded that the ZE320’s all-round excellence and strong results in almost every discipline made it an outstanding choice for a broad spectrum of drivers.

John Barker, a journalist and expert tester from Auto Express, said, “The FALKEN scored an impressive victory, beating some excellent tyres to take a first win. It topped the table in three tests, including setting fastest lap times on both the wet and dry circuits, illustrating its excellent all-round ability. It was the pace-setter in both the wet and the dry and delivered strong results in almost every other discipline too. It’s an outstanding tyre.”

Jaap Leendertse, Managing Director, Sumitomo Rubber Europe, the parent company for FALKEN, said, “Winning the Auto Express summer tyre test is a fantastic achievement and a strong endorsement of the ZIEX ZE320’s real-world performance. This result demonstrates that FALKEN achieved the highest overall score in this test against several other tyre models and can deliver qualities that many drivers value, including performance and everyday usability.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Michelin has unveiled a strategic overhaul of its product branding within the Beyond Road division, following the recent divestiture of the Camso business. The restructuring marks a significant shift in how the company will present its off-road portfolio to the global market, focusing on clarity and heritage.

Effective September 2026, the agricultural tracks previously sold under the Camso label will be rebranded as MICHELIN BIBTRACK. This new nomenclature pays homage to Michelin’s deep-rooted agricultural history, with the ‘BIB’ designation drawing from a legacy of tyre innovation that began in the 1980s. This lineage includes renowned ranges such as AGRIBIB and AXIOBIB, underscoring the brand's longstanding commitment to the farming sector.

The rebranding extends to conversion and trailed track systems, which will now carry the Michelin name without altering their product designations. Crucially, this transition involves no changes to product performance, manufacturing processes or service delivery, ensuring a seamless experience for customers. The company has simultaneously retained its material handling and Powersports activities, with industrial wheels and tyres transitioning to the Solideal by MICHELIN banner, alongside its dedicated on-site service unit.

This restructuring follows the formal sale of the Camso brand, along with specific construction tyres and tracks, to CEAT, a process initiated in late 2024 and finalised in September 2025. By streamlining its brand architecture, Michelin aims to simplify the customer journey while reinforcing its ambition to become a premier player in off-road mobility, delivering sustainable and innovative solutions grounded in advanced materials expertise.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!