A new global study conducted by Bridgestone’s fleet management solution Webfleet has revealed that majority of fleet managers are in favour of digitisation of fleets and that artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and electric vehicles (EVs) will have the most impact on the future of fleet management. The study also found that 58 percent of fleet managers expect to be using AI within the next five years.

A total of 1,800 fleet managers from 15 different countries participated in the study, which aimed to provide insight into the state of fleet digitisation today and in the future. The results demonstrate that fleets want to invest more in digital fleet solutions going forward and that there is a strong anticipated adoption of EV and AI technology.

As per the study, 91 percent of fleet managers expect to increase their investment in digital fleet technologies over the next five years. Fifty-two percent of them cited improvements in efficiency and reduced operational costs as the most compelling reason for investing in digital solutions, whereas 49 percent cited enhanced driver and vehicle safety as the top reason.

Another strong point highlighted by the study is that AI, ML and EVs will have the biggest impact on the future of fleet management. Electric vehicles (30 percent) and AI and ML (32 percent), according to fleet managers, will have the most influence on fleet management in the upcoming years. Currently, 23 percent of fleet managers use AI, while 35 percent intend to do so within the next five years. Most respondents agree that AI will have a big impact on fleet management in the future. Specifically, 62 percent think AI will optimise logistics and route planning, 56 percent think it will increase driver safety and 55 percent think it will improve asset management and predictive maintenance. However, 21 percent of fleet managers expressed concern about how AI will alter their workday, with process integration (53 percent) and data security and privacy (49 percent) being the top worries.

The report also made clear that, with EV adoption expected to rise over the next several years, electric vehicles represent the fleet of the future for businesses. In the next five years, 85 percent of fleet managers anticipate having more electric and hybrid cars in their fleet. It is anticipated that among those who think their vehicle mix will change, the percentage of electric and hybrid cars would nearly double, rising from 37 percent to 63 percent of the fleet by 2029.

Jan-Maarten de Vries, President – Fleet Management Solutions, Bridgestone Mobility Solutions, said, “The move towards digital solutions, including AI, is no surprise to us and a clear indication of where the future of fleet management is headed. Our study reaffirms the critical role that digital fleet solutions play in increasing fleet efficiency, reducing costs and enhancing driver and vehicle safety. It's clear that investment in these technologies will only continue to grow. Artificial Intelligence and electric vehicles are transformative technologies that will continue to enhance fleet management. At Webfleet, we’re pioneering these technologies to ease adoption for fleets, always with a commitment to improved safety, sustainability, productivity and efficiency."

At the IAA Transportation, which takes place in Hannover, Germany, from 17-22 September, Webfleet will celebrate 25 years of telematics innovation. The company will showcase its new AI Assistant at the Bridgestone Fleet Care exhibit in Hall 12, C54 and the Webfleet exhibit in Hall 25, B60.

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Pirelli has entered into a strategic agreement with Swedish technology firm Univrses to integrate artificial intelligence-based computer vision systems into its Cyber Tyre platform. As part of the deal, Pirelli has acquired a 30 percent stake in Univrses, with an option to increase that share to a majority holding. The collaboration will embed Univrses’ 3DAI technologies into Pirelli’s existing Cyber Tyre solutions, creating a unified system aimed at producing safer and higher performing vehicles.

The combined technology has potential applications in advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous driving. It also generates timely, actionable data for road management, helping authorities make better decisions and deploy resources more efficiently. This could lead to fewer road accidents and saved lives. The system uses onboard cameras and tyres to collect feedback on road conditions. Pirelli’s Cyber Tyre, the first integrated hardware and software system of its kind, gathers data from tyre sensors, processes it with proprietary algorithms and communicates in real time with vehicle electronics and the cloud.

Univrses originally developed its technology to help cars understand their surroundings, but it has since been adapted to turn vehicles into AI-powered road monitoring agents. The Swedish company’s 3DAI Engine provides autonomous vehicles with perception capabilities including 3D positioning, mapping and spatial deep learning. Its 3DAI system digitises roadside infrastructure using data from vehicle-mounted sensors like cameras.

A pilot project is already active in Italy. In 2025, Pirelli and the Puglia Region launched a road network monitoring system to create an updated map of infrastructure conditions. The system analyses data from tyres via the Cyber Tyre platform alongside visual data from cameras interpreted by Univrses’ technology.

Andrea Casaluci, CEO, Pirelli, said, “The agreement with Univrses further enhances our Cyber Tyre™ platform, thanks to advanced AI‑based artificial vision technologies. The collaboration between Pirelli and Univrses will make a significant contribution to the ongoing transformation of cars into true software‑defined vehicles.”

Jonathan Selbie, CEO, Univrses, said, “Continuous monitoring and data are becoming the new foundation for infrastructure asset management, and Univrses technology is able to provide powerful analytical capabilities based on reliable and frequently updated data. In this context, we are pleased to welcome Pirelli as an investor and to take our partnership to the next level: we will join forces to deliver increasingly advanced services and products.”

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ZC Rubber is preparing a major European-focused showcase at THE TIRE COLOGNE, scheduled to run from 9 to 11 June 2026. The tyre manufacturer will occupy Booth C050g in Hall 8.1, highlighting its WESTLAKE and GOODRIDE brands with a clear emphasis on products tailored specifically for regional market demands.

The display will blend imminent and future innovations. Products destined for a European launch in the latter half of 2026 will appear alongside the company’s current truck and bus radial lineup. Selected previews of developments planned for 2027 will also be on view. A featured attraction is the Westlake Sport RS2, a drift-proven ultra-high-performance tyre praised for its grip, precision and 180 treadwear rating. A renewed rubber compound, developed through work with the Red Bull Driftbrothers, now delivers steadier traction under severe driving conditions. Appearing at the stand, Red Bull Driftbrothers driver and engineer Elias Hountondji will illustrate how motorsport data directly refines ZC Rubber’s product engineering.

Additional new passenger car radial models for Europe in the second half of 2026 include the Westlake ZuperFlex Z-137, Goodride RideMax G-147, the all-season Westlake Zuper4S Z-411 and the off-road focused Westlake Terra Legend SL399 and Goodride Mud Legend SL388. On the truck and bus side, already available tyres such as the Westlake WSL2, Westlake WDL2+ and Goodride S2, D3 and D4 will be exhibited, covering steer and drive axle needs for long-haul and heavy-duty transport.

A sneak peek at 2027 offerings will feature the Westlake Z-301 commercial van tyre, Goodride All Season G-721, Goodride SnowComfort G-518 and new TBR models including the Westlake WTL2, Westlake WTR OEM and Goodride M2. ZC Rubber’s team will remain on-site throughout the event, welcoming visitors and partners to the booth for meetings and professional discussions.

Leo Liao, General Manager, ZC Rubber Europe, said, “This year’s showcase reflects a much broader and more complete portfolio for Europe. From UHP and all-season tyres to all-terrain, mud-terrain and TBR solutions, we are bringing new developments across almost every major segment. This reflects how seriously we take the European market: we are listening to local needs, investing in the right products and building a portfolio that better matches the needs of our European partners.”

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Magna Tyres has launched the MA801 TR, a new solid tyre engineered for extreme operating conditions in recycling facilities and heavy industrial settings. Designed to maximise equipment uptime while supporting high load capacities, the tyre is built to deliver dependable performance in harsh environments. The official debut of the MA801 TR will take place at IFAT 2026 in Munich, scheduled from 4 to 7 May 2026.

The new model is intended for compact wheel loaders and telescopic handlers, featuring a flat-free solid construction. Its extra-deep non‑directional tread is reinforced by a triangular structural design, which enhances traction and stability on surfaces littered with sharp debris. Available in sizes 13.00‑24 and 14.00‑24, the tyre prioritises puncture resistance and reduced maintenance needs.

Thanks to its robust architecture and deep tread profile, the MA801 TR offers an extended service life and consistent performance across demanding work cycles. By eliminating the risk of flats, Magna Tyres positions the tyre as a reliable solution for recycling and industrial operations where continuous heavy loads are standard.

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has secured validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a prominent corporate climate-action organisation, for its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets set for 2035. This endorsement confirms that the company’s goals are scientifically aligned with the standards established under the Paris Agreement. The validated targets are measured relative to the company’s 2024 emission levels.

Under the approved framework, Yokohama Rubber aims for a 63.0 percent reduction in combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, which cover direct emissions from its business activities as well as indirect emissions from purchased energy. Additionally, the company commits to a 37.5 percent cut in Scope 3 emissions, specifically targeting indirect supply chain emissions from purchased products and services, along with fuel and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2. To achieve these reductions, Yokohama Rubber has been expanding solar power generation and renewable energy electricity at its global plants, while also disclosing indirect emissions from product distribution, use and disposal since 2013.

The company obtained SBTi validation to accelerate supply-chain-wide emission cuts in response to intensifying climate challenges. Operating under its sustainability management slogan, ‘Caring for the Future’, Yokohama Rubber continues to create shared value by tackling social issues directly through its business operations.

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