The Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) tech, despite its huge safety benefit, is still seen as a premium feature in most mass-market passenger vehicle segment and two-wheelers in India. Aurangabad-based component supplier Varroc’s Indirect TPMS with over 90 percent accuracy aims to make smart inroads. Tier 1 automotive supplier Varroc is looking to harness the data from GPS sensor and Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) sensors to provide tyre pressure information to two-wheelers and four-wheelers. 

The company is looking to make smart gains through Indirect Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (ITPMS), which rely on existing sensors in a vehicle to generate the information without compromising on quality and time-lag.

Fritz Abraham, Chief Technology Officer, Varroc, told Tyre Trends that “the direct TPMS uses pressure sensors at the air inlet of each tyre and communicates the information to the vehicle dashboard using wireless communication or through complex harness. This is not only expensive but also require heavy maintenance. If there exists a solution that can use the existing sensors and provide the information of tyre pressure, it is the ‘Indirect/Intelligent Tyre Pressure Monitoring System’. This system provides information of the tyre pressure without the need of a pressure sensor.”

The radius of the tyre changes with respect to air pressure and hence the linear displacement per one rotation of tyre changes with respect to the pressure. The linear displacement can also be measured using GPS by calculating the rotational speed of the wheel and radius of the tyre.

The ITPMS solution simply put is a software stack that can be integrated with Varroc’s cluster and telematics solutions. The machine learning (ML) software analyses various parameters set by the company to provide tyre pressure reading to the user. Since it does not require any additional TPMS hardware, it is substantially cheaper compared to solutions using battery-based sensors.

“The ITPMS exploits the deviations in linear displacement with respect to wheel rotations and predicts the tyre pressure. This relation is not straightforward; it is a complex method to derive the mathematical equations. Hence, ML techniques are used to quantify the relation,” said Abraham.

The ITPMS primarily requires a GPS sensor (telematics data) and ABS, which is integrated during the vehicle assembly level. Varroc states that OEMs will be able to provide access to the tyre pressure on any HMI (Human-Machine Interface) device like the vehicle instrument cluster, vehicle telematics and connectivity app, among others, to easily provide the information of the tyre pressure.

Varroc had initially initiated the development of the ITPMS specifically for two-wheeler applications. The company mounted a GPS device on a two-wheeler equipped with ABS. It collected the data during vehicle operation across varied scenarios, including differing tyre pressures, diverse road conditions and various weather conditions such as sunny and rainy days.

“This data was then post-processed and analysed using data science and machine learning techniques to develop a model that accurately captures the relationship between tyre pressure, wheel speed and the speed as measured by the GPS. This model forms the foundation for understanding and monitoring tyre pressure indirectly using available data points from the vehicle’s operation,” he shared.

Demand scenario for TPMS

It is no secret that while TPMS technology has been around for more than a couple of decades, its adoption in India still remains a very small percentage. In India, most TPMS solutions available in the OE as well as aftermarket are Direct TPMS.

They are said to have their own set of challenges, such as its reliability due to varying temperatures, environmental and climatic conditions. Then there are the challenges associated with wireless communications. Sensor battery issues and cost too are deterrent factors.

On the other hand, the small percentage of vehicles that utilise existing ITPMS categorise the tyre pressure in broad classifications (low pressure or high pressure). They do not provide precise measurements, which limits their adoption and effectiveness in ensuring optimal tyre performance and safety.

However, Varroc already has developed the ITPMS to provide basic information (low or high); now it is in advanced stages of development to provide precise tyre pressure information with over 90 percent accuracy.  While the company has been tight-lipped about the introduction of the solution in the market, Varroc is said to be in discussions with its clients to bring it to the market soon.

Abraham further shared, “The primary reason for the limited adoption of TPMS is cost. Premium segment vehicles often include TPMS as a standard feature due to the higher price range, making it more feasible to absorb the associated costs. In contrast, aftermarket TPMS solutions are generally expensive and demand ongoing maintenance, which can be a deterrent for many vehicle owners.  Additionally, there is a general lack of awareness regarding the importance of maintaining optimal tyre pressure. Many drivers may not fully understand the safety, performance and fuel efficiency benefits of consistent tyre pressure monitoring, further impacting the adoption rate of TPMS systems.”

As per the company, the ITPMS comes with self-learning feature and is designed with 80 percent cold tyre pressure threshold and tested per AIS 154. The threshold can be further optimised and customised as per the requirement of the customer.

France-headquartered AI-powered solutions for identifying and grading used tyres company REGOM recently won the Green Product Award 2025.

More than 1,500 participants from 46 countries applied for the Awards across 11 categories. The winners were selected from the top 250 nominated products and concepts, and REGOM was honoured for its innovative solution that is supporting the tyre industry.

Every year, the Green Product Award recognises products and concepts that stand out in terms of design, innovation and sustainability. The winners were announced on 15 May at the Nordic Embassies in Berlin. Embassy envoys and jurors such as Uwe Melichar (Touch Design), Prof. Claus-Christian Eckhardt (Lund University), Katja Keienburg (baby&junior) presented the awards to winners from Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

REGOM’s solution provides tyre collectors and recyclers the technology to optimise the sorting for reuse, resell, retread, material recovery and pyrolysis. The tyre recycling sector has been slow to adopt digital transformation, relying on manual inspection for decades.

The French company disrupts this status quo by bringing AI-driven efficiency and technology increase yields for reuse applications extending tyre lifespan, reducing waste, minimising environmental impact and preventing landfill accumulation.

The European Commission has opened an investigation into whether Chinese manufacturers are selling car and light truck tyres in the European Union below fair market value, following complaints from the bloc's tyre industry.

The probe will examine allegations that dumped Chinese imports are causing material harm to EU tyre producers. The investigation could lead to the imposition of anti-dumping duties if unfair trading practices are confirmed.

The EU tyre sector directly employs 75,000 workers across 14 member states and serves as a critical supplier to Europe's substantial automotive manufacturing base. The market for passenger car and light commercial vehicle tyres was valued at more than EUR 18 billion last year.

"If the investigation confirms that the EU tyre industry suffers from injury or threat of injury because of dumped imports from China, the Commission may impose anti-dumping duties on imports if these are found to be in the interest of the EU," the Commission said in a statement.

The investigation follows a formal complaint lodged by European tyre manufacturers, who argue that Chinese competitors are selling products at artificially low prices that undercut fair competition.

Brussels has 14 months to complete its assessment, though provisional measures could be implemented within eight months if preliminary evidence establishes both dumping and resulting injury to EU industry.

The Commission already maintains anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on Chinese imports of tyres for buses and lorries, implemented following similar investigations.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has agreed to sell the majority of its chemical business to private equity firm Gemspring Capital Management for approximately USD 650 million in cash.

The transaction, part of Goodyear's strategic transformation plan, includes facilities in Houston and Beaumont, Texas, along with a research office in Akron, Ohio. The deal is expected to close by late 2025, subject to regulatory approval and other customary conditions.

Goodyear Chemical produces synthetic rubber and serves the automotive aftermarket, consumer and industrial sectors across North America. The business has been under strategic review as part of the company's broader Goodyear Forward transformation initiative.

"With the sale of our chemical business, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to optimising our portfolio and creating shareholder value," said Mark Stewart, Goodyear's chief executive and president. "We are grateful to our Goodyear Chemical associates who have driven the success of this business. We will work closely with Gemspring to help ensure a smooth transition for our associates, customers and suppliers."

Mathew Wallace, Managing Director, Gemspring, remarked: "We look forward to unlocking the full potential of Goodyear Chemical as a standalone business and supporting its next chapter of growth and innovation. Goodyear Chemical is an industry leader, underpinned by deep customer relationships, a mission-critical product portfolio, a track record of innovation, and incredibly talented employees. We are grateful to the Goodyear team who have driven the success of the business to date and are committed to working closely with Goodyear to ensure a smooth transition for associates, customers, and suppliers."

Tesham Gor, a Gemspring Executive Advisor who is expected to become Chief Executive Officer of the Business, added, "We are excited to advance Goodyear Chemical's industry positioning by leveraging our strategic, financial, and industry expertise to continue delivering world-class elastomer technologies and engineered solutions to our customers. As a standalone entity, the Business will be well positioned to accelerate product development, expand its relationships with existing and new customers globally, deliver sustainable solutions, continue to invest in its people, and drive growth and innovation through commercial, technical, and operational excellence."

The deal includes a long-term supply agreement between the two companies, though specific terms were not disclosed. Goodyear plans to use proceeds from the sale to reduce debt and fund initiatives related to its transformation plan.

The Akron, Ohio-based company will retain chemical facilities in Niagara Falls, New York, and Bayport, Texas, maintaining rights to products manufactured at those locations.

Lazard served as lead financial adviser to Goodyear, with Deutsche Bank acting as financial adviser and Squire Patton Boggs providing legal counsel.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber has elected Jason J Winkler to its Board of Directors, effective 15 May 2025, the company announced today.

Winkler, who currently serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Motorola Solutions, will join Goodyear's Audit Committee and Committee on Corporate Responsibility and Compliance.

"We are pleased to welcome Jason Winkler to Goodyear's Board of Directors," said Chairman of the Board Laurette T. Koellner. "His extensive global finance leadership experience will be an incredible asset as Goodyear continues to drive substantial company and shareholder value by delivering significant margin expansion, an optimised portfolio and reduced leverage under the Goodyear Forward transformation plan."

Winkler brings over two decades of financial leadership experience to the tyre manufacturer's board. Since joining Motorola in 2001, he has held numerous financial leadership positions across investor relations, global channel management, mergers and acquisitions, and product operations.

In his current role at Motorola Solutions, Winkler oversees the company's financial strategy and leads its finance, supply chain and information technology functions. He has been instrumental in driving significant transformation at Motorola, achieving growth, margin expansion and balance sheet improvements that have contributed to strong shareholder returns.

Prior to his tenure at Motorola, Winkler worked at Oracle and Hewitt Associates, now AON. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Valparaiso University and an MBA from the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business.