Assuming nothing will be the same with COVID-19, all associated economic growth figures will be revised in the near future. The European tyre market was severely affected in the first quarter of 2020 and declined by around 20% in all segments, which is exactly the opposite of the previous forecast of achieving a total CAGR of 20% for the 2018-2022 period. It will not return to normal short-term trends and will certainly be revised.

With the global economic slowdown, the Chinese tyre market, with earlier growth of more than 6%, will no longer be mentioned in the coming years. The global pandemic has overshadowed the global economy, and the most important tyre manufacturers are only showing moderate optimism for 2020. The downward trends in demand in many international markets are therefore irreversible. When the entire industry is back on track and at the same time safe?

Tyre Industry will not return to normal short-term trends and all economic figures will certainly be revised.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the margins for industrial products were good. Many companies in industrialised countries have been looking for alternatives to invest in different parts of the world, and export rates have continuously helped them make enough money. So far, globalisation has prompted investors to tackle the underdeveloped eastern globe. The 1970s in this direction were the new way of investing a large amount of accumulated capital for the countries of the Far East. China and Singapore, then Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia were the subject of foreign direct investment. Indonesia seems to lag behind the Philippines and Taiwan for foreign investors. Exceptionally, Japan and partially South Korea won in the early 1950s and 1960s and were more aware of the importance of technological culture. They managed to develop their own capital to invest in technological products. The tyre and rubber industry were two of the main companies.

Globalisation has prompted investors to tackle the underdeveloped eastern globe. The 1970s in this direction were the new way of investing a large amount of accumulated capital in Far East.   

Western automakers had also sparked interest in countries in the eastern world. This has helped investors to focus more on this part of the world. When investors were looking for new horizons to make more money, all supporting technologies came to these countries.

When we entered the 1990s, Glasnost began to influence Europe's socio-economic structure. The main European brands initially focused on Eastern Europe to invest in the main products. Foreign direct investment went to the Central and Eastern European countries. Major European brands in the tyre industry have acquired certain tyre factories. Some factories were opened late.

It is a difficult task to attract foreign direct investment. Many parameters need to be combined, including incentives, laws, rules, agencies and procedures to attract foreign investment. The Central and Eastern European countries spent a lot of time and effort and finally made it. Not only legislative issues, but also macroeconomic measures such as combating inflation, the goal of joining the euro area, setting competitive but sustainable tax rates and laying the foundation stone for companies that acquire applications for property permits, liberalisation of the labor market, privatisation of all areas of the economy finance, public services and telecommunications, as well as road and airport construction are different pieces of equipment than investors. Usually you look for them first.

When we reached 2000, the primary concerns of European and North American tyre manufacturers were attacks on poor quality tyres

The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia are the first four countries to follow. Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia tend to attract foreign direct investment over time. In any case, they have all learned that low labour costs are not enough to attract foreign investment if the main attractive features are not realised.

When we reached 2000, the primary concerns of European and North American tyre manufacturers were attacks on poor quality tyres in the East and Far East regions. Instead of banning imports, the safety problems of tyres in this part of the world are highlighted and certain measures are taken to prevent the huge import channels of these branded tyres. ETRMA, the association of the largest tyre and rubber manufacturers, mainly followed the REACH restrictions of these companies. The media also supported user conscience. The tyre labeling is also the result of safety concerns. The European Commission and the White House have introduced additional anti-damping and additional countervailing duties on tyres made in the Far East. The cheaper tyres no longer had the opportunity to be rated well. Note, however, that companies in the Far East are now able to manufacture high-quality high-tech tyres and organise deliveries in the market.

At the other end of the world, many industries which invest mainly in China initiated alternatives to return to the continent in 2015.

When the time came, the former Eastern Bloc countries began to join the EU. After 2010, Chinese and Far Eastern tyre manufacturers accelerated or invested in new factories in Eastern Europe. South Korea and China have started to have tyre factories in this region. Tyres manufactured in Europe or Eastern Europe indicate the Western European and US markets and are exempt from high customs taxes. They have set up a production line that is adapted to the requirements of European and American consumers.

When we reached the other side of the world in 2015, many industries with investments mainly in China initiated alternatives to return to the continent. Export tariff barriers and rising labor costs, state requirements for environmental legislation and industrial reforms do not keep foreign investors and local companies alive. The international climate and the atmosphere of the trade struggle between East and West also play a role in this latter trend. Today, investments in Eastern Europe in the countries of Asia and Western Europe continue. However, this is not a guarantee for the next few years.

Whatever the truth is or it is assumed that yesterday's reality will be opposite or different. Therefore, nothing will be similar or as expected. Companies that covered risks today and had tools today are luckier and will be successful tomorrow.

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The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA), the apex body representing tyre companies in India, has requested the Government of India to allow temporary duty-free imports of natural rubber under a Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) mechanism.

The request follows an increase in domestic natural rubber prices to INR 300 per kg, representing a rise of nearly 62 percent from the November 2025 average of INR 186 per kg, alongside supply shortages during the peak production season.

In a letter submitted to Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, the association proposed limiting the duty-free import quota to the assessed deficit between domestic demand and supply until market conditions stabilise.

During FY2025-26, India produced 905,000 tonnes of natural rubber against a consumption volume of 1.42 million tonnes, creating a supply gap of nearly 37 percent. Tyre manufacturers are simultaneously managing cost increases in synthetic rubber, carbon black, petroleum-based inputs and freight expenses driven by crude oil price movements linked to events in West Asia.

India's tyre industry generates an annual turnover of approximately INR 1,000 billion and exports exceeding INR 270 billion, having recorded 16 percent YoY export growth in Q1 of FY2026-27.

Arun Mammen, Chairman of ATMA, said, “Tyre manufacturers rely on the peak tapping season to secure domestic rubber for their production schedules. This year, supplies are falling short even during these months, while procurement costs have risen sharply. A temporary duty-free quota, limited to the assessed shortfall, would help manufacturers maintain production while protecting the interests of domestic rubber growers.”

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The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced that Mark Stewart has stepped down from his roles as Chief Executive Officer and President of the company and has also left its board of directors, effective immediately. In his place, the company has installed board member Roger Wood as interim Chief Executive Officer, with Wood leading the tyre maker while a leading executive search firm helps the board identify a permanent successor.

Wood joined the board in 2023 and has spent over 30 years leading businesses in the automotive and manufacturing sectors. He was previously Co-Chief Executive of Tenneco Inc., which designs, manufactures and distributes clean air, powertrain and ride performance systems worldwide for vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket, and he holds board seats at PHINIA Incorporated and Brunswick Corporation. As part of taking the interim role, he has given up chairing the board's human capital and compensation committee.

Earlier this year, the board set up a special committee to scrutinise the company's businesses and operations, seeking ways to lift performance and deliver more value to shareholders. Directors and management are pursuing that effort through a wide-ranging assessment of strategic and operational options, among them refining the business mix and footprint, sharpening efficiency and funding new products and capabilities that underpin long-term growth. No further updates are planned unless and until the board concludes that more disclosure is warranted or required.

In a separate announcement dated 27 October 2026, Goodyear said Jerome Rouquet will become Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on 1 December 2026. Rouquet, now Chief Financial Officer at Visteon Corporation and formerly a senior finance executive at Tenneco and Federal-Mogul, takes over from interim Chief Financial Officer Scott Deakin, who will help ensure a smooth handover.

Joe Hinrichs, Goodyear Board of Directors Chair, said, "Goodyear has made meaningful progress in becoming a more efficient and focused company, and the board believes this is the right moment to transition leadership to accelerate that progress and capture additional opportunity. Roger brings extensive automotive and industrial CEO experience, deep operational expertise and strong relationships across OEMs and aftermarket customers. He knows Goodyear, understands the opportunities ahead and has the board's full confidence to bring heightened focus and urgency to execution while we conduct a thorough search for a permanent CEO. We thank Mark for his contributions to Goodyear.

"The board formed a special committee earlier this year to conduct a rigorous strategic review of the company to help strengthen performance and create shareholder value. The board, together with the Enterprise Transformation Office, is evaluating a broad range of strategic and operational opportunities, and we are committed to taking the right actions to position Goodyear for stronger performance and long-term success. We look forward to providing an update as this work progresses."

Wood said, "Goodyear has iconic brands, talented people and significant opportunities to improve performance and deliver long-term value. As I step into this role, my immediate priorities are to support our associates and customers, sharpen execution and build on the work already underway to advance Goodyear's transformation. I look forward to working closely with the board, leadership team and the Enterprise Transformation Office to advance the strategic review and translate that work into actions that strengthen performance and position Goodyear for long-term success."

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Michelin Group has appointed Terry Redmile as Chief People Officer for Michelin North America, Inc. In his new capacity, he will direct employee-focused operations throughout the North America Region, encompassing the recruitment, growth and retention of leading talent. His appointment places a seasoned internal leader at the helm of the company's people strategy.

A veteran of over three decades with Michelin, Redmile started as a co-op student at the firm's Greenville research and development centre. His tenure has spanned roles such as quality engineer and site director at the Fort Wayne, Indiana, manufacturing plant, culminating most recently in his position as senior vice president of manufacturing operations for the Americas. He also holds an MBA from Clemson University and a mechanical engineering bachelor's degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Matthew Cabe, President and CEO, Michelin North America, Inc., said, “Terry understands our business, but more importantly, he understands our employees. His foundation in manufacturing and engineering gives him a firsthand understanding of where so many of our employees work every day and what they need to succeed. That perspective will be invaluable in this role.”

Redmile said, “The strength of Michelin has always been rooted in the strength of our talented teams. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside employees across our operations, and they are at the heart of what drives us forward. I want to build on that foundation and help our people continue to learn, innovate and shape what comes next for our industry.”

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Apollo Tyres, one of the leading manufacturers of tyres in India, has reported its financial results for Q2 FY2027 and H1 FY2027, alongside announcing the appointment of Ravi Kumar Shingari as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective 4 November 2026.

In his new role, Shingari will be reporting directly to Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Neeraj Kanwar. He joined Apollo Tyres in 2018 as Group Head of Finance and subsequently managed functions across budgeting, accounts, investor relations, and legal affairs, following a 16-year tenure at KPMG as Partner in Tax and Regulatory.

The company announced that its consolidated revenue from operations for Q2 grew by 17 percent YoY to INR 79.68 billion, compared to INR 68.31 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

Operating profit for the quarter stood at INR 8.55 billion, while net profit grew 13 percent to INR 2.92 billion, as against INR 2.58 billion in Q2 FY26. The net profit figures include an estimated pre-tax restructuring cost of INR 260 million recorded as an exceptional item.

For H1 FY2027, revenue reached INR 153.66 billion, up 15 percent from INR 133.92 billion in H1 FY26, with operating profit closing at INR 17.23 billion and net profit at INR 6.41 billion.

Onkar Kanwar, Chairman, Apollo Tyres, said, "Growth across categories in India has been supported by our sustained rural expansion efforts and strategic association with cricket. In addition, the launch of new products in the commercial vehicle segment in India has strengthened performance during the past quarter. At the same time, geopolitical tensions in West Asia remain a headwind, resulting in elevated input costs and supply chain disruptions."

Also read: Apollo Tyres Appoints Abhineet Kothari As India Business Head For Vredestein

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