For more than 30 years, Haluk Kizilay has built an impressive career that spans everything from tyre design and development to strategic planning, marketing and business development, both in Turkey and overseas.

He received BSc in mechanical engineering as well as another degree in Business Management (BBA) in Turkey.

At Brisa, Bridgestone Turkey, Haluk supported executive and functional level of tyre design, material development, production, field evaluation and management. He also engaged in strategic plan development, competitive intelligence, OEM programmes and benchmarking.

In 2011, Haluk moved on to become an ‘R&D Engineering Manager’ in Cooper Tire & Rubber. He took wide-range responsibility for Truck & Bus product development as well as Field Engineering & Business Development.

In addition to design direction at Cooper, he also participated in Product Planning and Global Technology Development and Merger and Acquisition activities in China and Europe.

Haluk is one of the registered researchers of TUBITAK – The Scientific & Technological Research Council of Turkey – and he is also one of the authorised judges of EU Horizon work programme.

In 2019, he established his own consulting firm called ‘TICTire Industry Consulting’ to serve the tyre industry globally.

The global tyre market has been expanding annually at a rate of 2 to 10 percent, depending on the region. This growth is driven by global economic expansion, increased mobility demands and diversification, new business models and other factors. At the same time, the performance requirements for tyres have become more stringent than ever. As a result, the tyre industry is increasingly focused on advanced technologies, including innovative, light and green materials, enhanced modelling and testing methods, embedded systems, environmental sustainability and the development of smart tyres.

To meet these demands, the tyre industry must elevate its New Product Development (NPD) processes by intensifying research and development efforts. In the highly competitive market of the future, and in the new CASE mobility context (which stands for Connected Autonomous Shared and Electric vehicles), the new tyre technology and knowledge will be more critical than ever before.

One significant trend in NPD is the drive to reduce development time through the use of modern simulation and modelling techniques. At TIC-Tyre Industry Consulting, in partnership with Autoadmin Consulting, we emphasise the philosophy of ‘speed to market with the right modelling solutions and innovation’. Virtual modelling technologies are central to this approach, enabling companies to launch world-class products faster and more cost-effectively by eliminating the trial-and-error physical development approaches.

The role of virtual modelling technologies in smart tyre development

Virtual modelling technologies are indispensable for understanding how the various components of a tyre interact. By leveraging modelling and simulation, tyre manufacturers can predict the full range of potential outcomes, including complex and novel testing scenarios beyond what traditional mental models can anticipate.

As a critical vehicle safety component, the tyre significantly impacts overall vehicle performance and has now new ‘attributes’ like providing various data about the tyre status in real time. Therefore, designing high-quality, high-performance tyres require not only an understanding of their intrinsic properties – such as tread pattern, carcass structure, materials characteristics – but also the external running conditions like vehicle load and speed, wheel torque and road surface. Virtual tyre models, built with the FEA (finite element analysis) method, provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating and understanding the impact of these variables, particularly in the case of smart tyres applications.

Here are some examples of how tyre FEA simulation and tools can unlock the potential of virtual modelling technology:

• Component and system development: Creating models for tyre carcasses, plies, belts, reinforcements and tread patterns, including beyond tyre components (such as RFID or TMS sensors) for structural analysis.

• Predictions of footprint and stiffness characteristics: Simulating static or quasi-static footprint behaviour under normal, lateral and torsional forces.

• Predictions of force and moments: Simulating steady state rolling during braking, acceleration and cornering.

• NVH applications: Evaluating tyre cavity profile, tread block design, void areas, non-skid depth, groove angles and pitch sequencing.

• Emerging technologies applications: Addressing new tyre engineering challenges like traceable, silent, studded tyres with the integration of TMS or RFID sensors, innerliner foams or tread studs and EV-specific reinforcements requirements for high load capacity tyres.

The game changer: Adopting a 3D modelling approach first to tyre design

The tyre industry must fully transition to a 3D first mindset when designing products, just as other industries – such as automotive and aerospace – have done for parts and assemblies. Today, every component of a vehicle, whether for ICE vehicles or EVs, is first modelled in 3D space. From these models, 2D sketches, assembly and execution drawings are derived using cutting, cross-sectioning and projection techniques for manufacturing plans.

By adopting this approach, tyre designers can address the complexities of designing emerging technologies for smart tyre development, such as various sensors embedded in or glued to the tyre. Likewise for foam in tyre (FIT) and non-pneumatic tyres (NPT) technologies. This shift from traditional 2D design thinking to a comprehensive 3D space representation will enable the industry to better meet the challenges of smart tyre innovation.

Advancing FEA for proactive tyre development

To achieve higher levels of ROI in FEA simulations and tools, the industry must integrate the latest advancements in FEA technology. These efforts should be proactive, conducted well before manufacturing begins. The outdated 2D to 3D model creation approaches, involving the solver in the model creation stage, no longer suffices, besides having many limitations. Given the increasing complexity of tyre design and the massive data exploration required for simulations and testing various load cases, automations in post-processing should also be considered.

To succeed in this environment, manufacturers must rely on expert knowledge. Virtual modelling technologies provide the tools needed to address these challenges and seize new opportunities, empowering the tyre industry to lead in innovation and performance.

Support from TIC-Tyre Industry Consulting and Autoadmin Consulting

At TIC-Tyre Industry Consulting and Autoadmin Consulting, our Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) bring extensive hands-on experience in the topics discussed above. We are ready to support R&D activities with tailored technical solutions designed to address unique challenges. We pride ourselves on adhering to the highest professional and ethical standards, a hallmark of our work for many years.

In addition to our consulting services, we offer Simulation and Modelling Technical Courses. These programmes are designed to equip your workforce with the skills, mindset and competencies needed to thrive in today’s competitive environment. Our expert trainers guide participants through an engaging learning journey, incorporating workshops, real-world case studies and cutting-edge educational technologies.

JK Tyre & Industries is aiming for double-digit revenue growth in FY2026, outpacing its forecast for single-digit expansion across the broader tyre industry. Managing Director Anshuman Singhania outlined the company’s ambitions during a post-earnings media call, underscoring confidence in demand recovery and strategic market positioning.

Q1 Performance Overview

For the first quarter of FY2026, JK Tyre reported revenue of INR 38.91 billion, with EBITDA at INR 4.24 billion, translating to a margin of 10 percent. Net profit stood at ₹1.55 billion — up 51 percent compared with the previous quarter, but down 21 percent YoY.

Singhania attributed the annual decline to muted original equipment (OE) demand, particularly in truck and bus radial (TBR) volumes, alongside higher raw material costs compared to the same period last year. He also highlighted an adverse impact from the company’s Tornel business in Mexico, which faced uncertainty due to tariffs on exports from Mexico to the United States, dampening volumes.

Resilience in Domestic and Export Markets

Dr Raghupati Singhania, Chairman and Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries, said, “The growth momentum in domestic markets remained robust in Q1, with JK Tyre clocking a sales growth of 11 percent YoY, as contributed by a steady demand for our products in both replacement as well as OE segments, underscoring JK Tyre’s continued focus on core growth drivers and strengthening market presence.”

“Despite a challenging and uncertain macro-economic environment, exports of passenger car tyres witnessed a strong traction both on QoQ and YoY basis, signifying pull for our products and enhanced brand perception in the global markets,” said Dr Singhania.

Operational efficiencies and strategic pricing supported performance, even as natural rubber prices remained elevated. Subsidiaries Cavendish (India) and Tornel (Mexico) continued to contribute significantly to the group’s consolidated financials.

Operational efficiencies and strategic pricing supported performance, even as natural rubber prices remained elevated. Subsidiaries Cavendish (India) and Tornel (Mexico) continued to contribute significantly to the group’s consolidated financials.

Regarding trade tensions between India and the US, Anshuman Singhania noted that exports from India to the US account for only around 3 percent of JK Tyre’s revenue and could be redirected to markets such as Mexico, Latin America, Brazil and the UAE if required. With zero tariffs in Mexico, JK Tyre can utilise its production base there to meet demand for both passenger and truck radials. The EU and UK, where JK Tyre holds a strong position in the TBR segment, also remain tariff-free.

Capacity expansion

The company’s INR 14 billion capital expenditure plan is progressing on schedule, covering passenger car radial (PCR), TBR and all-steel truck radial projects. For the year, investment is expected to total INR 9-10 billion, aimed at boosting production capacity by 30-40 percent.

A key driver for future profitability is the shift towards premium products. The share of 16-inch and above passenger car tyres in JK Tyre’s portfolio has grown from 18 percent in FY2020 to 25 percent in FY2025, with a target of 40-45 percent over the next two to three years. This change is being fuelled by rising SUV sales, larger rim sizes in entry-level cars and strong export demand.

The company has also developed a complete range of tyres for electric vehicles, spanning commercial truck radials, bus tyres, passenger radials and two/three-wheeler tyres  Major OEMs such as Ashok Leyland’s Switch Mobility and Tata Motors are sourcing these products, including for last-mile connectivity vehicles and newly launched EV buses.

Market Outlook

The replacement market has been a bright spot, with passenger radial volumes up 32 percent year-on-year and truck radial volumes growing in the high single digits. JK Tyre expects demand to strengthen in the second half of FY2026, supported by infrastructure development, a favourable monsoon, potential interest rate cuts, and improved consumer liquidity.

Anshuman Singhania stressed that the worst of raw material price pressures appear to be over, paving the way for margin improvement as the product mix shifts and capacity utilisation rises. With the small car segment’s gradual decline offset by growth in premium categories, JK Tyre remains confident in sustaining momentum.

“Overall, India is poised for growth,” Singhania concluded. “We see positives across the board — from infrastructure push to evolving consumer preferences — and we are well-positioned to capitalise on these trends.”

Yokohama Rubber has begun supplying its ADVAN V61 tyres as original equipment for BYD’s new SEALION 6 DM-i SUV, marking the Japanese manufacturer’s first OE partnership with the Chinese carmaker.

The SEALION 6 DM-i, a plug-in hybrid SUV launched by BYD Company Ltd. this July, is being factory-fitted with 235/50R19 103V size ADVAN V61 tyres. The announcement comes as Yokohama seeks to grow its footprint in China’s fast-evolving electric and hybrid vehicle market.

The ADVAN V61 is part of Yokohama’s global flagship ADVAN range and is positioned as a premium SUV tyre. The company said the tyre “offers ADVAN’s hallmark premium-grade driving performance, along with a high-level balance of fuel and energy efficiency, handling stability, and quietness, achieving both comfortable city driving and long-distance touring for heavyweight SUVs.”

The SEALION 6 DM-i combines a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing up to 74kW with an electric motor generating 160kW. Buyers can choose between 18.3 kWh and 26.6 kWh blade battery options, offering electric driving ranges of 93km and 130km, respectively. All models come equipped with advanced driver assistance systems as standard, and the exterior design draws inspiration from the concept of “ocean aesthetics.”

Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd said its subsidiary Dunlop Tyre Japan Ltd has completed a Japan Fair Trade Commission investigation into automotive all-season tyre sales after the regulator approved a commitment plan submitted by the unit.

The probe, which examined the subsidiary’s sales practices, concluded without the commission identifying any violation of Japan’s Antimonopoly Act, Sumitomo Rubber said in a statement.

Under Japan’s commitment procedures, companies can submit plans to address potential competition concerns without admitting wrongdoing, allowing them to resolve investigations while avoiding formal sanctions.

"We deeply apologise for the great trouble and anxiety that we have caused to all concerned, including our clients and business partners,” the tyre maker said.

Belgian steel wire maker Bekaert reported resilient first-half 2025 earnings as strong cash generation and cost control offset softer sales, but warned that tariffs and currency pressures are weighing on demand.

The company posted consolidated sales of €1.9 billion, down 5.2 percent year-on-year, with volumes declining 2.6 percent and price/mix effects stripping out a further 2.2 percent. Underlying EBIT slipped 16.2 percent to €171 million, delivering a margin of 8.8 percent compared with 9.9 percent a year earlier.

Free cash flow surged to €123 million from €43 million in the prior-year period, driven by a €135 million reduction in working capital and €21 million in cost savings as the company continued to streamline operations and rein in capex. Net debt fell to €327 million from €399 million despite a continuing €200 million share buyback programme, €74 million of which has been completed.

“We have continued to focus on what we can control best – cash flow and costs - and have significantly reduced overheads and working capital in H1 2025,” chief executive Yves Kerstens said. “Equally, I am very pleased with the hard work of our teams fighting for volumes in the current challenging markets.”

He added: “We are also taking further steps to make our business units more autonomous and agile. Therefore, I am very confident that we will come out of the current business environment stronger and more cost competitive than ever before.”

Bekaert said volumes were particularly strong in its Steel Wire Solutions and Rubber Reinforcement divisions in the United States and China, while European and Latin American demand lagged. Its Brazilian joint ventures delivered €24 million in net profit share, up from €20 million a year ago.

However, the group cautioned that growing trade tensions – including a rise in US steel tariffs from 25 percent to 50 percent – and the weakening of the US dollar and Chinese yuan against the euro were eroding pricing power and softening orders.

“Following a period of resilience in Q2, the tariff uncertainty and weakening economic outlook has started to have an impact on demand,” Bekaert said.

The company now expects slightly lower full-year 2025 sales on a like-for-like basis, with an underlying EBIT margin of between 8.0 percent and 8.5 percent, down from 8.8 percent in the first half.