It’s hard to imagine anyone on the planet that hasn’t been directly or indirectly affected by the Corona virus pandemic, and when it comes to industries, the automotive sector has been hit worse than most others, with the clear exception of course being the sectors related to travel and tourism. The fact is that people drive less than normally, for several reasons: many jobs have been cut, reducing commuter traffic; those that still work do it primarily from home or with less days at the office per week than before; and those long drives to visit distant relatives or go on family holidays in other countries have been reduced to a fraction of what they used to be, when they’ve been at all possible. Global automobile sales dropped around 15 % year-on-year in 2020, which is doubtless a result of the pandemic, and OE tyre sales dropped even more than that, a result of due diligence by the car manufacturers. The replacement tyre sales volume dropped also, but not as much as one could have expected – a partial explanation for this is very likely the reduced number of new cars sold, resulting in more tyres needing replacement.

But there’s nothing like a good crisis to spawn innovation. Online sales and delivery services have flourished like never before, and courier companies are busier than ever. As shops have been closed due to lockdowns or just avoided due to the risk of infections in the public space, shopping has moved online to an incredible extent. This means a lot more goods being moved around by a lot more delivery vehicles, which then consume more tyres. At the same time, those that still have their jobs haven’t been able to spend their salaries on annual holidays abroad, so their spending has shifted towards buying more consumer goods at home instead. So, it’s not just that shopping has moved from the physical stores to online shops, it’s also that the total shopping volume has increased. Luckily, most tyre retailers have caught on, and have improved their web shop portals to cater to the increased demand and take measures to stand out from the competition, such as faster delivery times, larger selection of products, and combined services.

Digital shopping

Keeping clients interested using digital means has become more important than ever, as people now tend to buy tyres online and go to have them fitted after the purchase, instead of the traditional way of going to the shop first and buying what the seller there recommends. That has made it extremely important to make the purchase as easy and smooth as possible for the consumers and communicate all benefits to potential clients in a clear and appetising way.

Where many tyre retailers have been locked in a mindset that a website should be set up to persuade potential clients to visit the physical shop and rely on sales being made by the staff there, now they have to make the sale in the web shop first, which requires a much better consumer experience when browsing the web shop than before. One notable method that many have adopted is what’s called “live selling,” where the customers access a video call with a salesperson, who won’t be able to see the caller, but will be able to offer guidance and advice, and hopefully close the sale. This method has proven exceptionally good for products that the customers in general don’t possess very deep knowledge of, and that definitely includes tyres. The old and very reliable rule of thumb for tyre retailers was that 6 out of 10 tyre customers would always say “I just want the same tyres fitted again,” not because they had experienced heavenly experiences riding on those tyres, but simply to avoid the risk of having fitted something that turned out to perform worse. “Good enough” is a strong force supporting habits. “Live selling” (as opposed to what, you may ask, but remember the term has been coined when physical shops have been closed down) offers retailers the chance to go for the traditional replacement sale or actively try to influence the purchasing decision by offering alternatives that might be more profitable for the seller. It’s always important to remember that even though the customer makes the purchase decision, it’s the seller that decides which options to make available as the base of the decision.

Being connected to the customers, the seller is also able to offer related services or products that on average increases the revenue per client, so there’s no doubt the strategy is sound. And there’s no reason for retailers to stop using this channel when we hopefully can go back to being able to visit the physical shops in person again, as it will be a way to catch clients that would have otherwise not visited the shop.

Apart from this, it has been a fruitful strategy for many to cater more to courier fleets and transportation companies with more tailored services and cost benefits. On-road assistance services have increased, and not just for courier vans and cargo trucks, but also for agricultural equipment such as tractors (although that would be more aptly called off-road assistance). At least, the gist of it all is that the overall trend in tyre business has been to move business closer to the customers, when customers haven’t been able to shop as they used to – and there are clear indications that the strategy has been successful.

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MAXAM Tire has further expanded its off‑the‑road tyre portfolio by adding a new 45/65R45 size to the MS406 E4/L4 series. This larger variant is specifically engineered for heavy loader applications, offering operators an additional high‑performance solution that prioritises strength, longevity and cost efficiency over the long term.

The tyre’s deep E4/L4 tread pattern is designed to deliver strong traction while resisting wear and cuts, even in severe working conditions. This aggressive yet durable design helps loader fleets boost productivity, as the tyre maintains grip and reduces downtime. Over its service life, users can expect a lower cost per operating hour.

To withstand harsh job sites, the MS406 incorporates a thick undertread that provides enhanced puncture protection. Its robust casing not only endures heavy use but also supports excellent retreadability, further extending the tyre’s usable life and improving overall return on investment. A wide, flat footprint contributes to superior stability, ensuring dependable performance and operator confidence when the vehicle is under substantial loads.

With this new size addition, MAXAM Tire continues to strengthen its off‑the‑road product line, giving customers another valuable option that balances durability, traction and long‑term operating efficiency in demanding loader environments.

Jimmy McDonnell, Vice President – Sales and Marketing, MAXAM Tire North America, said, “With the addition of the 45/54R45 size, we’re continuing to respond directly to market needs while expanding access to a proven loader tyre. Our focus is always on delivering market-leading value and tyres that perform in real-world conditions while helping customers control operating costs.”

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Hankook Tire, the exclusive tyre supplier for the FIA World Rally Championship, will face the demanding Croatia Rally from 9 to 12 April 2026. This event marks round four of the season and takes place in and around the port city of Rijeka. Among the most gruelling rallies on the calendar, it will feature both the Ventus Z215, engineered for precise dry handling and cornering stability, and the Ventus Z210, designed to deliver superior traction and rapid water evacuation in wet and unpredictable conditions.

The 2026 route spans roughly 300.28 kilometres across 20 special stages, with the service park relocated to the historic Grobnik Circuit. The course covers four counties, including shakedown stages on the island of Krk and technical tests through the Lika-Senj highlands. Drivers must contend with extreme grip variations along the Adriatic coast, from abrasive volcanic tarmac in the mountains to smoother, dustier sections near the sea, the latter becoming dangerously slick with even light rain.

Throughout the event, Hankook will operate its Brand World marketing booth inside the service park, reinforcing its unified global premium image. The booth will offer interactive experiences such as a motorsports history zone, racing simulator, tyre fitting activities, merchandise sales and a photo zone, giving fans an immersive brand encounter. Meanwhile, intense competition is expected: while Toyota GAZOO Racing has a strong history in Croatia, both Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team and M-Sport Ford World Rally Team aim to exploit the new coastal terrain to challenge for the podium.

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Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited has earned a total of 23 CSR-DIW awards, demonstrating its longstanding commitment to operating with ongoing responsibility towards society, local communities and the environment. In 2025, the Department of Industrial Works honoured the company under the CSR DIW to MIND for Sustainability programme, which recognises industrial factories that enhance their social and community responsibility for sustainable coexistence.

Among these accolades, five facilities received the CSR DIW Award for maintaining these high standards continuously for a decade, while another 18 facilities received the CSR DIW Continuous Award for consistently implementing responsible practices, collectively celebrating industrial organisations that serve as models for industry growing in harmony with communities under the principle of good industry coexisting sustainably.

These achievements reflect how the Sri Trang Group balances economic, social and environmental priorities, allowing the industrial sector to work alongside communities effectively and advancing Thailand’s rubber industry towards a sustainable green future. The group has steadily carried out community focused and socially responsible initiatives across six key areas, including youth development, arts and local traditions, livelihood and career support, environmental management, workplace health and hygiene as well as disaster relief and assistance for vulnerable groups.

This recognition further underscores Sri Trang Agro Industry’s role as a leading organisation that drives sustainable industrial practices while consistently creating lasting value for society, communities and the environment.

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Bridgestone has announced its participation in the 41st Space Symposium, the largest space conference in United States, taking place in Colorado Springs from 13 to 16 April 2026. The company’s exhibit will be hosted within the Japanese Space Industry pavilion organised by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), marking its third consecutive year at the event since 2024. A key focus of Bridgestone’s presence is its ongoing development of lunar rover tyres, a project that embodies the company’s belief that ‘tyres carry life’.

Since 2019, Bridgestone has advanced research on lunar rover tyres and pursued co-creation with international partners to commercialise space mobility technology. In 2024, the company collaborated with Astrobotic Technology, followed by a basic agreement with ispace in 2025. These efforts aim to generate new value in the rapidly evolving space mobility sector.

At the symposium, Bridgestone will demonstrate tyres for small and medium lunar rovers, first unveiled in 2025, by mounting them on a mobility vehicle. Attendees can see and touch the tyres, experiencing their high traversability on simulated lunar challenges like fine sand and rocky ground. Through this showcase, Bridgestone seeks to expand its space business network and foster co-creation opportunities, ultimately supporting safe lunar mobility and humanity’s exploration goals.

The lunar rover tyre project applies Bridgestone’s AirFree technology, an exploratory business under its 2024–2026 Mid Term Business Plan. By refining this technology in the extreme lunar environment, the company aims to eventually bring those innovations back to Earth, enhancing conventional tyres and contributing to broader social value.

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