Tyre testing is not a new concept. In fact, is there any industry that can do without tests? However, what tyre testing does bring into consideration is an umpteen number of factors – everything from the road wear to the certification, the testing spots and, of course, the different types of testing and the very tyres themselves. Discussing these very aspects with Tyre Trends, Ismo Halén, Vice President at BD Testing Inc, spoke about Black Donuts, the subjective and objective views of tyre testing, the convenience of BD Testing having its own indoor testing facility and more. Read on…

The name Black Donut is self-explanatory, making it rather individualistic. A tyre resembles a donut and is black in colour – simplicity at its best. Black Donuts offers a range of solutions for tyre product development and testing, tyre factory construction, plant process design and process development. Therefore, Black Donuts has many business areas, and one of them is service in product development. When it comes to testing, Black Donuts owns 90 percent of another company, BD Testing Inc, which is into tyre testing and high-end customer service. Plus, Black Donuts also happens to be one of BD Testing’s customers.

BD Testing’s customers
When we caught up with Ismo Halén, Vice President at BD Testing Inc, he told us, “Black Donuts designs new tyres and new tyre models or improves existing tyres. That’s why they need testing in order to support the product development. Black Donuts Engineering was founded in 2011, and we were a test team within the company in the beginning. However, we separated in 2012 into an individual company, and now we have separate management and everything else that’s individually ours. We don’t have anyone from Black Donuts working at BD Testing. They are only one of our customers.”

And as customers, they can always decide who tests their tyres. “For instance, Black Donuts can use BD Testing for product development testing because we understand each other. However, the customer can  reach out to other companies to test their tyres as well. For example, when a product is finished, customers usually make homlogation tests somewhere else,” Halén explained.

When it comes to customers/clients, Halén mentioned that it’s not exactly easy to acquire new clients. However, he added, “I’m happy because we already have so many customers that even if somebody doesn’t order anything that others do, we are still in a very good situation.” When turning to his plans on approaching any Asian manufacturers, he responded that while they don’t have any plans for Asia, they would consider going there if there are proving grounds that can be used or rented.

BD Testing’s various focus areas
BD Testing goes beyond this and also issues certification. It has a quality system and is accredited for some R117 tests. “This includes rolling resistance, wet grip, noise measurement and snow performance,” Halén mentioned and continued, “Earlier, we would do wet grips, noise measurements etc. But just one year ago, we started focusing more on winter testing. We now conduct snow and ice tests for the label, which comes under the R117 tests. Additionally, we provide technical service to The Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW). RDW will issue many types of approvals for many tyre manufacturers, and we can conduct snow tests for them.”

“Furthermore, in Nordic countries, we use studs in the tyre, which has to be approved. Besides, we make road wear testing for studded tyres, which needs mandatory approval from the Finnish Transport Safety Agency, TRAFI,” Halén further explained.

Making it work
As far as testing and tyres go, BD Testing does both indoor and outdoor testing and is currently focusing on winter testing, winter tyres and studded tyres (conducting only product development tests for summer tyres). However, because the business is open all year, the winter tests are held in ice halls during the summer, Halén shared. As for snow testing, the indoor tests are conducted in Ivalo and Sweden.

However, most big tyre manufacturers conduct the majority of their tests themselves. Yet, that doesn’t stop a company like BD Testing. There are certain factors in testing that tyre manufacturers can’t carry out themselves and thus have to turn to the likes of BD Testing.

“For example, with road wear testing, it isn’t something they can do by themselves,” Halén asserted and added, “There are only five laboratories that can do that, and we are one of them. Similarly, indoor testing and snow testing is something they may not want to do – it’s a long way to travel and they don’t have the capacity to do so, which is where we come in.”

Indoor testing and outdoor testing
Speaking of indoor testing, it is the easier one to conduct over outdoor testing, Halén claimed. But since handling driveway in itself involves the car being built outdoors, there’s no choice over there, he informed.

What’s more, Halén asserted that usually they don’t test the same things indoors and outdoors – the two aren’t competing and are individual. “Their requirements too are different. But as for product development, some indoor testing is needed, like footprint or contact presser, which gives the designers a lot of information,” he enlightened.

BD Testing would, however, like to have its own indoor testing facility where tests can be conducted whenever needed. “Although, as of now, we have to rent for indoor testing, which can sometimes be fully booked,” Halén cited and added, “In fact, we want our own indoor testing facility that we can rent to other customers as well. However, it’s a huge investment and is too big for us at the moment.”

Objective and subjective testing
Another challenge that Halén spoke to us about, besides having an indoor testing facility, was in terms of manpower, where getting testing drivers is a challenge right now. When asked about the thought process behind selecting a testing driver (since the testing can be very subjective, from driver to driver), Halén highlighted that it’s the experience that plays a role. “And then, the drivers drive together and decide what works and what doesn’t. While these drivers do subjective tests, they, of course, also conduct objective tests. However, objective testing is easier, because you only have to know how to make the test,” he added.

Halén further said that with robots and automation, it’s possible that subjective testing will eventually get reduced in the future. “But in my opinion, with subjective driving, if a driver drives with a set of tyres, then we have a huge amount of information,” he pointed out. “Therefore, it’s a very fast way to have lots of information. If you try to have the same information with the help of machines, you’ll need several machines and it takes a long time. And if you need to analyse data, it takes a long time to develop a new methodology.”

A happy customer equals a successful company
While Halén gave us his clear visions in terms of BD Testing and the tyre testing industry as a whole, he also threw light on the company’s preparation for new regulations. “Additionally, we are focusing on what we are currently doing, targeting for higher quality and making our customers happy,” he expounded and added,
“Our strategy for that is based on the quality system we have. We have very close contact with our customers, so we try to understand what they need. Hence, I’m not trying to sell something to somebody if they don’t need it. Thus, I think our customers come to us themselves when they need something. So, ultimately, customer happiness has been our key to success.”

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New research commissioned by eBay and conducted by OnePoll has exposed a significant knowledge gap among UK drivers regarding EU Tyre Labels. The study, which surveyed 2,000 motorists in accordance with Market Research Society guidelines, found that nearly half of all respondents were entirely unfamiliar with this critical safety information. Despite being introduced in 2012, two-thirds of drivers remain unaware of the labels' purpose.

The data shows that nearly half (47 percent) of the respondents possess no understanding of the safety information on the labels whatsoever, with a full two-thirds (66 percent) unaware of their purpose a full decade after their introduction. This ignorance translates directly into consumer behaviour, as 61 percent of motorists admit to not checking the labels before purchasing new tyres. Consequently, they miss out on essential data regarding a tyre's fuel efficiency, wet grip classification, external noise level and its performance in snowy and icy conditions.

The research further quantified this knowledge gap, demonstrating that drivers incorrectly identified the symbols on the labels two-thirds (67 percent) of the time. The icon denoting performance on ice was the most frequently misunderstood, being misinterpreted in a remarkable 92 percent of responses. This lack of independent research means three-quarters (74 percent) of UK motorists primarily rely on garage recommendations when choosing tyres. Over half of all consumers – 55 percent – do very little (30 percent) or no research at all (25 percent), a trend most prevalent among drivers over 65.

This deficiency in tyre knowledge is not merely academic; it has serious real-world consequences. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) reported that over two million MOT test failures in the 2023-24 period were directly attributed to illegal tyre defects. In response to these consumer challenges, eBay promotes its tyre fitment service, which allows buyers to research and order specific tyres for their vehicle online before selecting a local garage for installation, aiming to bridge this information gap.

Abir Tewari, UK Director of Commercial Operations, Parts & Accessories at eBay, said, "Despite existing in the UK for more than a decade, knowledge around EU tyre labels among UK motorists is still sparse. It is worrying that proper knowledge could make maintaining vital vehicle parts safer and cheaper. Using eBay’s tyre fitment service, customers can see EU tyre labels clearly indicated in listings before deciding on a purchase, helping to identify exactly what they need and safely preparing them for any season.”

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Apollo Tyres, one of the leading global tyre manufacturers, has secured a three-year strategic partnership with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), becoming the lead sponsor of the Indian Cricket Team.

The deal, estimated to be for around INR 5.97 billion, will grant Apollo Tyres title sponsorship rights for all home and away international matches, covering both men's and women's teams.

The agreement, effective immediately, will see the Apollo Tyres logo prominently displayed on the front of the official team jerseys. This partnership marks a significant milestone for the brand, connecting it with a sport that is immensely popular across India.

Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Apollo Tyres, said “Cricket’s unmatched popularity in India and worldwide makes it an honour for us to become the ‘National Team Lead Sponsor’ of Team India. This partnership is about national pride, strengthening consumer trust and showcasing Apollo as a true leader in our category, while supporting Indian sports at the highest level and creating unforgettable moments for fans worldwide.”

Devajit Saikia, Honorary Secretary of the BCCI, said, "The arrival of Apollo Tyres as our new sponsor is a testament to the hard work and consistent performance of our teams. We are excited about this being Apollo's first major sponsorship in India cricket, which speaks volumes about the sport's unparalleled reach and influence. This is more than a commercial agreement; it's a partnership between two institutions that have earned the trust and respect of millions."

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NEXEN TIRE has received validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its corporate emissions reduction goals, confirming they align with the critical objective of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. This endorsement signifies that the company’s climate targets are grounded in the latest climate science and meet the SBTi's rigorous international standards.

The approved targets commit NEXEN TIRE to a substantial 58.8 percent reduction in its direct operational emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2034, using 2023 as a baseline. The company has also pledged to cut its value chain emissions (Scope 3) by 35 percent over the same period. To realise these ambitions, NEXEN TIRE is implementing a detailed carbon neutrality roadmap. This effort is supported by a reinforced enterprise-wide management system that now includes comprehensive tracking of all 15 Scope 3 categories alongside Scope 1 and 2 emissions across its global operations.

A dedicated ESG Operational Committee meets monthly to execute a phased reduction strategy. This plan focuses on improving facility efficiency, accelerating the shift to cleaner energy sources and expanding the use of renewable power. Beyond its environmental impact, this SBTi validation is strategically significant. It is expected to strengthen the company’s relationships with global automakers, who are increasingly requiring validated carbon management from their supply chains. Furthermore, the precise emissions data compiled through this process will bolster NEXEN TIRE’s standing in global ESG evaluations, enhancing its reputation as a sustainable industry leader.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “This SBTi approval is a meaningful step forward, demonstrating that NEXEN TIRE is establishing a climate response framework aligned with global standards. We are committed to leading the way to carbon neutrality by faithfully achieving emissions reduction targets based on scientific standards through enterprise-wide efforts.”

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Ride-hailing major Uber has introduced an exclusive offer for its driver partners in London, giving electric vehicle drivers 50 percent off on Enso high-performance, ultra-efficient tyres.

These tyres are specifically engineered for popular electric vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. The driver partners can purchase the Enso tyres via the Uber Marketplace app, giving Uber EV drivers direct access to more affordable EV tyres. 

Enso, an Earthshot Prize Finalist, produces tyres that it claims increase EV range, reduce tyre pollution and last longer than standard alternatives, delivering both environmental and economic benefits to Uber drivers.

This partnership is Uber’s first collaboration with an Earthshot Prize Finalist and is part of a wider partnership with The Earthshot Prize, founded by HRH Prince William. 

Interestingly, London is Uber’s global capital of electrification, with nearly 40 percent of all Uber rides in the city now fully electric. Through its GBP 145 million Clean Air Fund, Uber continues to help drivers switch to EVs, which is now further enhanced by access to specially discounted Enso tyres.

Brit Grant, Head of Electrification, Uber UK, said, “We’re proud to partner with ENSO as part of our ongoing mission to make it as easy and affordable as possible for drivers to go electric in the UK. Uber drivers are already switching to electric vehicles five times faster than the general public, and initiatives like this help us keep up that momentum. By reducing running costs and cutting emissions, this partnership supports our commitment to a cleaner, greener future for cities like London.”

Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, CEO, Enso, said, “Enso is playing its part in reducing costs and environmental impact for Uber drivers today. This has been made possible through our partnership with Uber and The Earthshot Prize; a collaboration that brings together sustainability with scale and commercialisation to deliver real impact. Enso develops A-A rated tyres specifically for EVs like Tesla’s to give drivers more range on a single charge, pay less upfront for their tyres and replace them less often, all of which helps Uber drivers earn more per mile.”

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