The commercial vehicle tyre industry is at a crossroads, shaped by rising costs, shifting fleet demands and sustainability pressures. Apollo Tyres is betting on digital fleet solutions, energy-efficient tyres and retreading to stay ahead. Yet, challenges persist as India’s price-sensitive market slows the adoption of smart tyres, regulatory changes loom and global economic uncertainty adds pressure.

As the commercial vehicle (CV) segment evolves, tyre manufacturers are adapting to changing customer expectations, fleet optimisation needs and sustainability imperatives. Apollo Tyres is sharpening its focus on energy-efficient tyres, fleet solutions and the increasing demand for retreading.

At the recent Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, Apollo Tyres showcased its latest advancements in energy-efficient and fuel-efficient tyres. “Customers today are becoming more mature, and as tyre prices rise, fleets are looking for specialised solutions,” said Rajesh Dahiya, Vice President – Commercial.

Fleet management is seeing a shift towards outsourced solutions, where tyre manufacturers take on the responsibility of maintaining and managing tyres, allowing fleet operators to concentrate on the core business. “We are seeing a growing interest in digital solutions that allow fleets to track tyre usage remotely. Some prefer a more hands-on approach, requiring physical support and maintenance. Others are even considering pay-per-use models, where we fully manage the tyre lifecycle,” Dahiya explained.

While fleet solutions remain a nascent trend in India, the concept is well established in Europe and US. “As fleet sizes grow beyond 100-200 vehicles, operators start seeing the financial and operational benefits of working with a specialist. Even OEMs are acknowledging this shift with customers now approaching them for fleet solutions,” he added.

NEW MOBILITY TRENDS

With the rise of alternative fuel vehicles, including CNG-powered commercial vehicles, tyre manufacturers must adapt to evolving mobility trends. “Powertrains and fuel types will continue to evolve due to environmental concerns, but tyres will always be essential. What will change is their configuration and specific features,” said Dahiya. He highlighted that electric vehicles (EVs) require specialised tyres due to their higher torque and unique weight distribution.

Furthermore, the increasing cost of new tyres is pushing fleet operators towards retreading, a practice that extends the lifespan of tyres and reduces costs. “Tyres are designed to be retreaded, and when done properly, fleets can use tyres for multiple life cycles. Today, better road conditions, modern chassis and improved vehicle maintenance are making retreading a more viable option,” Dahiya stated.

Apollo Tyres is also active in the retreading sector. “We already have around 45 Apollo Retreading Zones equipped with our machinery and materials. Retreading is not just an add-on, but it is an integral part of our solutions,” he emphasised.

MARKET GROWTH

The commercial vehicle tyre market is witnessing strong growth in certain segments. “The mining and construction sectors are growing rapidly, outpacing traditional truck sales. Trailers, in particular, are seeing increased adoption,” said Dahiya. He noted that Apollo holds a market share of approximately 27-28 percent in this segment.

Smart tyres, equipped with sensors to monitor pressure, temperature and wear, are gaining traction globally. However, its adoption in India remains limited due to cost concerns. “While smart tyres represent the next step in tyre technology, widespread adoption will take time. The price sensitivity of the Indian market means that costs need to come down before mass adoption takes off. We expect significant growth in the next 5-7 years,” Dahiya predicted.

Sustainability is also becoming a key focus for the tyre industry. “We have tyres that contain 75 percent sustainable materials, but market demand for sustainable tyres is still developing. While tyre manufacturers are ready with the technology, widespread adoption will depend on customer preferences and regulatory support,” he noted.

The regulatory landscape in India is also evolving with sustainability and environmental regulations gaining momentum. “The entire industry must gear up to meet these new challenges. We are prepared for this shift and continue investing in sustainable solutions,” Dahiya stated.

CHALLENGES

Despite the growth potential, the industry faces challenges. “A slowdown in GDP growth is a concern and the adoption of EV-specific tyres is still hindered by infrastructure limitations and high costs. However, as the economy recovers and sustainability regulations take effect, the industry will adapt,” Dahiya asserted.

In response to rising raw material costs, Apollo Tyres is planning to increase tyre prices. “Cost pressures are real and price adjustments are necessary to maintain quality and innovation. However, we are still mulling over the price adjustments.” he said.

As the commercial vehicle segment continues to evolve, Apollo Tyres remains focused on providing innovative solutions that cater to fleet operators’ changing needs while staying ahead in sustainability and smart tyre technology.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Hankook Tire has appointed Seunghwan (Aaron) Hong as Vice President of Marketing for its North America Headquarters in Nashville. He assumes this position following the promotion of Kyuwang (Ken) Cho, who is now leading the company’s Global Truck & Bus Division from Seoul.

In his new capacity, Hong will be responsible for North American marketing strategy, technical services, Canadian operations and supply chain logistics, focusing on strengthening the brand’s support for regional tyre dealers. Hong’s extensive two-decade career with Hankook includes leadership roles such as Managing Director in Canada and the Netherlands, along with a strategic position in the Global TB sales division.

Cho, who previously served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing in North America, returns to Korea, where he had earlier held a senior global sales role within the TB division.

Rob Williams, President, Hankook Tire America Corp., said, "We're thrilled to welcome Aaron to Nashville as our new Vice President of Marketing. He brings a wealth of global experience and a proven ability to drive growth across diverse markets. As we continue to expand our brand and strengthen relationships with our dealers throughout North America, Aaron's strategic vision will be key to advancing Hankook's innovation and performance in the tyre market. We are appreciative of Ken's leadership over the past year in elevating our presence across both consumer and commercial channels."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Scandinavian Enviro Systems has appointed Fredrik Aaben as its new Chief Executive Officer effective 16 January 2026. He succeeds Fredrik Emilson, who is stepping down from the role by mutual agreement. Emilson will remain with the company in a supportive capacity, serving as a Senior Advisor during the transitional period.

Aaben brings substantial financial and strategic experience to the position, having served as the company’s Chief Financial Officer since November 2024. His prior career includes close to eight years at Volvo Cars, where he most recently held the position of Head of Corporate Finance and gained extensive experience in finance, strategy and governance. His background also includes roles as Group Business Controller at Stena AB and work in management consulting. Aaben holds dual Master of Science degrees in Industrial Engineering and Management and in Software Engineering from Chalmers University of Technology.

Concurrent with this change, Maria Ljungstrand has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer. She joined Scandinavian Enviro Systems in April 2024 as Head of Group Business Control and previously held business controller positions at Danone and Mondelez International.

The Board of Directors expressed gratitude to outgoing CEO Fredrik Emilson for his dedication and valuable contributions. Under his leadership, the company achieved significant developmental milestones, and the Board acknowledged his considerable efforts and commitment.

Ewa Björling, Chairman of the Board of Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB (publ), said, “The Board is very pleased to appoint Fredrik Aaben as Chief Executive Officer of Scandinavian Enviro Systems. Fredrik has a deep understanding of the company, its operations and strategic direction, and has demonstrated strong leadership, analytical capability and commitment during his time as Chief Financial Officer. With his extensive experience in finance, strategy and corporate governance, the Board has very strong confidence in Fredrik’s ability to lead Enviro forward and successfully drive the company’s continued development and growth.”

Aaben said, “I am excited to have been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Scandinavian Enviro Systems. Enviro is a company with a leading technology platform and a highly competent organisation. I look forward to working closely with the Board, the management team and all employees to drive execution and continue developing the company in line with its long-term ambitions.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, a leading independent global designer and manufacturer of high-performance aircraft tyres serving the commercial, military and freighter aircraft markets, has named Lee Timbrell as its new Chief Commercial Officer. In this position, he will oversee all global commercial functions such as sales, strategy, business development and customer relations.

Timbrell arrives from Safran Actuation Systems, where he most recently served as Senior Director of Aftermarket Services. There, he managed aftermarket sales and profitability across nine MRO facilities, led a large team and oversaw profit and loss for those operations. His background also includes senior commercial roles at Collins Aerospace, Cathay Pacific Airways and Turner Aviation.

Academically, Timbrell holds an MBA and a Postgraduate Certificate in Management from the University of Northampton, complemented by a Bachelor of Engineering in Aeronautical Engineering from Loughborough University. His experience was instrumental during the corporate transition when Safran acquired the actuation business from Collins Aerospace.

Susan McKenna, Chief Executive Officer, Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, said, "I'm delighted to welcome Lee to the Dunlop team. He joins us at a pivotal moment in our more than 100-year operating history, following strong financial performance in 2025 and the recent completion of our USD 93 million senior secured bond offering, which strengthens our balance sheet and provides added flexibility to support our future growth strategy. Lee brings extensive global aftermarket and customer leadership experience, with a proven record of driving growth and strengthening long-term partnerships. Having previously worked with Lee at Collins Aerospace, I am confident that his commercial expertise and deep industry knowledge will help accelerate Dunlop's next phase of growth."

Timbrell said, "I am thrilled to join Dunlop to elevate further the strong brand equity the company has established in the aviation industry over more than a century. I look forward to working with the team to advance the company's commercial strategy and deliver long-term value for our global customers and stakeholders."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

In a notable stride towards sustainable tyre manufacturing, Nokian Tyres has introduced the Betula concept tyre, which incorporates a pioneering compound derived from birch bark. This renewable substance is produced by the Swedish firm Reselo, which transforms residual matter from the global pulp, paper and plywood sectors into a viable tyre ingredient. For the first time, this birch-based material has been integrated into a tyre's tread compound, contributing to a tread where recycled and renewable resources now constitute 93 percent of all materials used.

This innovation is viewed as a way to enhance tyre performance. The Betula concept, which utilises the tread pattern of Nokian's Hakkapeliitta R5 winter tyre, has undergone successful testing at the company’s facilities in Ivalo, Finnish Lapland, and in Nokia, Finland. The project marks meaningful progress towards Nokian Tyres’ target of having 50 percent recycled and renewable materials in its tyres by 2030, aiming to establish new environmental standards for the industry through such pioneering efforts.

The collaboration with Reselo originated in 2023 when the biomaterials company won Nokian Tyres’ sustainable innovation challenge. A formal development agreement followed in 2024 to refine the renewable material for tyre applications, and joint development continues even after the concept tyre’s launch.

Concept tyres like the Betula are vital to Nokian’s development process, allowing new materials and technologies to be evaluated before commercial release. This approach has yielded several advanced prototypes, including the 2022 Green Step concept, which also achieved 93 percent renewable or recycled content, and the 2024 Green Step Ligna, featuring a renewable lignin-based alternative to carbon black. The company’s commitment is already reflected in production models, exemplified by the 2025 Nokian Seasonproof 2 all-season tyre for Central Europe, which contains up to 38 percent recycled and renewable materials – the highest proportion in the company’s current commercial lineup.

Teemu Soini, Vice President – Innovations & Development, Nokian Tyres, said, “Since the early stages, the potential of the material to be used in tyres has been evident. The Nokian Tyres Betula concept tyre confirms its applicability and highlights the material’s potential for commercial use in the future. Furthermore, the material is not only sustainable, but according to our testing, it also shows promise to improve tyre performance.”

Josefin Larsson, CEO, Reselo, said, “For Reselo, this partnership represents much more than a technical development project. The tyre industry’s sheer scale and traditionally conservative approach make it a challenging but vital space for rubber innovation, and seeing the collaboration with Nokian Tyres continue to the next level is something we’re especially proud of. Birch bark is a high-volume forestry side-stream abundant in the Nordics, and step by step, we are working together towards better-performing and more sustainable products with circularity at the core.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!