Italian multinational tyre manufacturer Pirelli has released an advisory on winter tyres to help its customers sail through the cold season worry-free. The advisory takes into account every aspect of the challenging cold season and presents some useful suggestions on choosing the perfect tyres for the winter season, as well as the specific regulations governing winter tyres in different European countries. The company also briefs on its latest winter tyres, the P Zero Winter 2 and the Cinturato All Season SF3, which will face their first winter on the road.

Which tyres to choose?

The ideal choice for cold weather is always winter tyres, which are made with specific compounds to offer optimal grip and increased traction on both dry and wet surfaces, reducing the risk of aquaplaning.

On both winter and all-season tyres, it’s important to check the markings on the sidewall. The M+S symbol denotes a tyre that has been specially designed for tricky surfaces, but even higher levels of safety are indicated by the 3PMSF logo (representing a mountain with three peaks, along with a snowflake). This logo means that the tyre has passed all the tests associated with the most challenging conditions in winter.

So the level of safety is clearly illustrated by the markings, but the choice to fit winter or all season tyres comes down to a number of different factors. Above all, it depends on how the car is used. Intense use with higher mileage (in excess of 25,000 kilometres a year) as well as more powerful and bigger cars, or frequent drives in mountainous areas, call for a full winter tyre. Predominantly urban driving and smaller vehicles (from city cars to compact SUVs) allow for the use of all season tyres.

Swapping between summer and winter tyres is the best choice for the majority of drivers, but the other option is an all-season tyre, such as the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3. This meets the needs of more urban drivers perfectly, as many comparative tests recently won by the new Pirelli have already proven.

Driving advice for winter

As well as having the right tyre, it’s important to have the right driving style. Whenever it’s dry in winter, the same approach can generally be taken as in summer, but it’s important to remember that there’s less grip and so it’s advisable to maintain a bigger margin of safety.

Wet or snowy conditions are a different proposition, where the same sort of driving style should be adopted as for fuel-saving. In other words, no harsh acceleration, which can cause wheelspin on snow, while braking should be kept to a minimum, with engine braking preferred instead. Maintaining a healthy stopping instance is also more important than ever, to avoid running into the car in front. When it comes to parking, diagonally is best if possible: especially when snowploughs dump snow by the side of the road.

Drivers of electric cars need to pay particular attention: battery life tends to diminish in winter, which means that it’s better to rely on tyres with low rolling resistance. This is a fundamental characteristic to guarantee a longer range, which Pirelli caters for thanks to its bespoke ‘Elect’ technology. The very first winter car tyre to score ‘A’ for rolling resistance has been recently launched by Pirelli: the P Zero Winter 2 for the BMW i7.

European legislation around winter tyres

Those travelling around Europe need to know about individual regulations that apply to each country. Both Germany and France are changing their rules about winter tyres this year, for example.

France: From 1 November to 31 March, winter tyres with M+S and 3PMSF markings are compulsory in mountainous regions and areas that are specifically signposted.

Germany: The use of winter tyres, which are identified with M+S and 3PMSF symbols in Germany, are compulsory for wintry roads and conditions.

Austria: For roads in winter conditions, M+S marked tyres with a tread depth of at least four millimetres on all four wheels are compulsory from 1 November to 15 April.

Switzerland: Winter tyres are not mandatory, but anyone who causes traffic congestion by driving on summer tyres in winter conditions, or anyone who has tyres judged to be defective, can be punished.

Croatia: In winter conditions from 15 November to 15 April, it’s compulsory to fit winter tyres with M+S markings and a tread depth of at least four millimetres on all the wheels.

Greece: From 15 October to 15 March, it’s obligatory to fit M+S and 3PMSF winter tyres on all four wheels on roads that are covered in snow, specifically signposted, or in the case of specific public announcements.

Spain: M+S tyres have to be used at least on the driven wheels if it snows, and chains can be used in indicated areas, up to a maximum speed of 50 kmph, if there is snow on the road.

Sweden: All vehicles must use M+S and 3PMSF winter tyres with a minimum tread depth of three millimetres from 1 December to 31 March in winter conditions.

Italy: It’s compulsory to carry chains in the car or fit winter tyres with M+S markings from 15 November to 15 April. The rule applies outside of urban areas, but it can also be requested within them by local authorities.

Pirelli’s winter tyres

Pirelli has developed a comprehensive range of winter and all-season tyres to respond to all requirements and driving conditions. Two new Pirelli winter and all-season products make their debut for this winter in 2024: the P Zero Winter 2 and Cinturato All Season SF3, both of which have obtained winning results in comparative tests conducted by specialist publications. Those looking for maximum performance and safety in winter conditions can rely on the P Zero Winter 2, which took the top score (A) on the European tyre label for wet grip, with excellent braking on snow.

The latest all-season tyre from Pirelli is the Cinturato All Season SF3, which offers year-round control as shown by the Performance Mark: a seal of excellence issued by certifying body TÜV SÜD. The new Pirelli all season tyre features the 3PMSF marking, which guarantees safe driving even on icy and snowy surfaces. These continuous safety and performance improvements – even in the most extreme winter conditions – stems from the unstinting work of Pirelli’s engineers, who use the most advanced virtual modelling techniques as well as artificial intelligence and driving simulators.

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Tana Oy has appointed Panu Ärölä as its new Territory Business Manager, a role he will assume on 2 November. In this capacity, he will focus on strengthening customer and distributor relationships across designated markets while contributing to the company’s ongoing expansion within the waste management and recycling sector.

Ärölä returns to Tana after previously serving as Sales Manager, where he developed expertise in distributor network growth. His background includes extensive international experience in sales, marketing, business development and strategic leadership. Most recently, he held the position of Head of Sales and Marketing at Jet-Tekno Oy, overseeing customer relationship development and business growth initiatives.

Gerd Schreier, VP – Sales, Marketing & Channel Development, said, “We are delighted to welcome Panu back to Tana. His industry knowledge, customer focus and experience in international sales make him a valuable addition to our team. We look forward to working with him as we continue to develop our business and create value for our customers and partners.”

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Stephan Sielaff took over as chief executive of the Schill+Seilacher Group on 1^st October , as the chemicals group seeks to strengthen links between its businesses and focus more closely on customer needs.

Sielaff brings about 30 years of experience in developing international businesses and organisations. His previous roles include positions at Unilever, Symrise, Archroma, Lenzing AG and SSI SCHÄFER Plastics.

His priorities at Schill+Seilacher include getting closer to customers, encouraging greater knowledge-sharing across the group and making better use of capabilities across its businesses and locations.

“A good product alone is no longer enough. What matters is the value we create for our customers,” says Stephan Sielaff.

The group said it would seek to share knowledge, pursue opportunities jointly and strengthen connections between its locations and business areas.

Sielaff's appointment is intended to support a more integrated approach across the group as it develops its businesses in the years ahead.

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Toyo Tire Corporation of Japan (Toyo Tire) has announced executive appointments at Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. (TTHA) and Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc. (NTU), effective 1 October 2026. Keiko Brockel has become President and Chief Executive Officer at TTHA, while Angelo Naval has beeen promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer at NTU.

Brockel, the first woman and first American to hold the TTHA role, will oversee daily North American business operations. She joined NTU in 2008 and previously served as its President and Chief Executive Officer and President and Chief Operations Officer. Over 18 years at NTU, she has held various executive leadership positions, providing strategic oversight in sales, finance, supply chain and operations, contributing significantly to the company's growth and evolution.

Angelo Naval

Naval, formerly Vice President of Sales and Business Strategy at NTU, will now oversee its business operations. He joined NTU in 2000 and also served as Vice President of Product and Business Strategy. During his 24 years with the company, he has been instrumental in shaping the business, gaining deep understanding and a unique perspective on the Nitto brand, its customers and the markets it serves.

Takashi Shimizu, President & CEO, Toyo Tire Corporation, said, “On behalf of Toyo Tire, I would like to congratulate both Keiko Brockel and Angelo Naval on their well-earned new appointments and thank them for their invaluable contributions to the growth and success of Nitto Tire in the American market.”

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ContiTech, the group sector of Continental, has named Amanda Lacerda as its new Head of Communications, with effect from 15 September 2026. In this capacity, she will report directly to Diana Hoppe, who serves as Head of Human Relations and Communications at ContiTech. The appointment places Lacerda at the helm of the organisation’s global communications operations.

In her new position, Lacerda will act as a strategic partner focused on advancing business performance, transformation and brand value. Her responsibilities encompass corporate, executive and brand communications, alongside media and public relations, public affairs, employee communications and reputation management. She is tasked with maintaining a consistent narrative that bolsters ContiTech’s global reputation and aligns with its business priorities and strategic ambitions. Lacerda takes over from Claudia Lademann-Fleger, who has chosen to depart the company for external opportunities.

Lacerda arrives with over two decades of experience in communications, marketing, and public affairs. Her global leadership background includes roles across Brazil, Middle East, Sweden and Germany. Over her career, she has engaged with diverse international markets and industries, assisting organisations in strengthening their brands, managing change and cultivating meaningful relationships with key stakeholders.

Diana Hoppe, Head of Human Relations and Communications, ContiTech, said, “Effective communication plays a key role as ContiTech continues its transformation and prepares for its future as a standalone company. Amanda brings extensive international experience, strategic insight and domain expertise in communications that will help strengthen our brand, enhance our reputation and deepen engagement with employees, customers, partners and communities around the world. As we continue to build a strong and distinctive brand, her leadership will be instrumental in advancing our strategic ambitions and long-term success. I also want to thank Claudia for her many years of dedicated leadership and service to ContiTech, and I wish her every success in the future.”

Lacerda said, “I am excited to join ContiTech at such an important moment in its journey. ContiTech has a strong heritage, talented people and a clear vision for the future. I look forward to working with colleagues around the world to tell our story, support the company’s transformation and help create value through clear, authentic and engaging communications.”

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